Hello and welcome again to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots visiting Phoenix Rising at Wild Horse Pass. Aside from the obligatory mention of Juan Guerra spurning Oakland for Phoenix, tonight is a must-win match for both sides as they fight for their playoff lives. Roots enter the night down in 11th with 33 points and a 7-12-9 overall record compared while Phoenix sits in 12th with 32 points at 9-5-13 and a game in hand on Oakland.
There’s already serious scoreboard watching going on. RGV is leading 3-1 over New Mexico, which catapults the Toros to eighth with 36 points. Meanwhile, Monterey faces Las Vegas and Los Dos squares off with Orange County a half hour before Oakland-Phoenix kicks off.
Update: Monterey and Vegas are postponed. OCSC leads 1-0 on LA, who has two red cards.
In tonight’s match preview, Bloom takes a look at Rising’s run of form. Phoenix is 1-0-2 since Guerra took the reigns including a 3-1 loss to El Paso, a 2-1 win over RGV, and a 1-0 loss to Colorado. His players to watch on Rising includes Aodhan Quinn, Luis Seijas, Baboucarr Njie, and Santi Moar.
Phoenix’s best result recently was their 4-0 win over Colorado Springs, and I’m sure that they rolled into this one [September 3] hoping for the same. Lol. Colorado Springs, resplendent in their gender reveal confetti kits, scored the game’s only goal in the 55th minute on (stop me if you’ve heard this) a weird defensive lapse resulting in a totally uncovered forward in for an easy goal. Phoenix put together an inspiring five yellow cards on the evening, including two for Darnell King, who will miss the match against Oakland.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2022/09/10/phoenix-rising-vs-oakland-roots-match-preview-september-10-2022/
RootsBlog Man of the Match
We name Lindo Mfeka for RootsBlog’s Man of the Match after bagging a brace. He had a beautiful left footed goal in the sixth, followed by a gorgeous flick after receiving a pass back from Ottar. He got a FotMob rating of 8.8, what a night for him.
Key Events
- ROOTS GOAL – 28′
LINDO BAGS THE BRACE.
- ROOTS GOAL – 6′
LINDO MFEKA. Launches a rocket into the net.
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
A few changes from the last match, Foremella gets the start at left wing and Mfeka in at right wing. Charlie Dennis in for Jose Hernandez in the midfield–who isn’t listed in the subs, he’s out a second game for card accumulation. I like this move for Charlie and have been hoping to see him get more action as a midfielder. Let’s see how it works.
Barbir, meanwhile, gets the start as the left sided centerback without Tarek Morad listed in the subs. Max Ornstil is on the bench, which also likely points to an injury for Morad.
- Phoenix Rising Starting 11
All of Bloom’s players to watch are included in the starting 11 aside from Seijas on the bench.
Timeline
Gametime! Oakland NEEDS a win tonight aside from the obvious rivalry between the two. A win keeps Roots in the playoff hunt, can they get the job done?
Roots corner – 5′, GOAL
Ball bounces around and goes to Lindo Mfeka. He sends a left footed rocket for the goal. ROOTS LEAD
Rito misses on the doorstep – 7′
Formella gets the ball after a mistake, plays it to Rito but he can’t make contact on the doorstep. Should be 2-0
PHX corner – 15′
Cleared for a second corner.
16′ corner
Starts a counter, but Ottar sends one out for a goal kick.
PHX hits the post – 26′
OAKLAND ROOTS GOAL – 28′
LINDOOOOOOO. Bags his brace after a beautiful touch pass from Ottar.
PHX set piece – 35′
Paul stops the shot from distance.
Roots set piece – 36′
In a good spot, on the left side of the penalty area. Played short, leads to a Phoenix counter attack.
Roots corner – 39′
Cleared out.
First Half Notes:
Roots looking strong up 2-nil, and it could easily be 3-0. Roots have 7 shots, 2 on target, 2 big chances and 1 missed. Despite Phoenix holding 62 percent possession, they have 6 shots, 1 on target.
Charlie shot sails – 46′
There is currently a three way tie for eighth between Oakland, Los Angeles, and RGV. Toros have a game in hand.
PHX corner – 55′
Leads to nothing.
PHX shot on target easily handled – 56′
Oakland corner – 58′
Ottar draws a corner. Header by Formella sails high.
Phoenix hits the crossbar – 60′
Njie nearly explodes the crossbar. Leads to a cross and header to the side of the net.
Roots sub – 65′
Memo Diaz on for Lindo Mfeka. Joseph Nane on for Mati–who looks like he suffered an injury. Defensive move.
Pushes Azocar up into the attack.
Emrah takes a fall, they are checking his knee. Seems okay to continue.
Roots set piece – 71′
Cleared out.
Emrah going off, limping. Mikael Johnsen coming on – 74′
Ottar header wide – 80′
Roots set piece – 81′
Ottar shot sails from distance.
Roots draw corner on the counter attack. Azocar a nice pass to Ottar for the odd-angle shot – 85′
Corner cleared out.
Phoenix set piece – 87′
Plays quickly, cleared out.
Roots sub Johnny on for Formella, Chuy on for Azocar.
Roots corner – stoppage
Johnny draws a corner, thought Chuy had an open opportunity.
Leads to another corner – stoppage
Roots win! That win gives Noah Delgado more career road wins than Juan Guerra.
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