Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots visiting San Diego Loyal for the USL Championship’s Conference Quarterfinal clash at Torero Stadium, coming to you from a packed 111A section of Roots’ supporters. In the six appearances against the SoCal side, Roots have been mightily successful at 3-2-1.
Oakland walks in as the No. 7 seed, going against the No. 2 seeded Loyal who were the highest scoring team in the Western Conference–what was the same situation the last time Roots traveled to San Diego, a 3-1 win for Oakland onAugust 24. As we talked about on RootsPod, this is actually a good matchup for the visitors with Roots’ speed down the wings.
In Bloom’s preview, he highlights that San Diego isn’t in its best run of form. Since Oakland’s 3-1 win, Loyal have only gotten eight points over its last eight appearances and are coming off a bad 4-0 loss to Sacramento in the season-finale.
They are on their worst form of the season. Starting with the Loyal-Roots match on August 24, Loyal have played eight games, and Roots nine. Roots have sixteen points in those games (1.8 per match), Loyal have eight (1.0 per match). Prior to that match, Loyal had 60 points to the Roots 30… The Loyal are not on great form. They are good, but their strength is in the attack, and they have conceded goals against good and medium-good attacks this season, especially recently.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2022/10/22/san-diego-loyal-vs-oakland-roots-match-preview-october-23-2022/
Bloom’s players to watch on San Diego include leading players like Kyle Vassell, Thomas Amang, and Alejandro Guido.
Postgame interviews
Noah Delgado
Charlie Dennis
Man of the Match
The whole damn team
You can throw this to anyone. Charlie Dennis for the golazo, Lindo with a goal and assist, Jose for dominating the midfield, Emrah for stepping into the first half and making an impact, and Noah Delgado for controlling everything. Hat’s off to the boys.
Key Events
- Mati third goal – stoppage
- Third red card – 89′
- Two SD red cards – 77′
Emang and Guido sent packing.
- ROOTS GOAL- 52′
Baaaaaad giveaway by Adams, lackadaisical pass back. Lindo hops on it and gets by the keeper.
- ROOTS GOAL – 37′
Dennis with a GORGEOUS shot on the volley. It’s 1-nil Oakland.
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Charlie Dennis in at left wing and Jojo Nane in at midfield. I could see Dennis falling deeper into a 10 role. Puts Azocar back at his natural outside back role.
- San Diego Loyal Starting 11
Vassell on the subs list.
Timeline
Game time! Can Oakland Roots continue their playoff magic and make the second round?
The Function showed out!
SD set piece – 3′
Paul runs in for the claim
SD shot high – 6′
In a good area, loose ball in front of net
SD set piece in good area – 11′
Spot kick right above the area.
Paul all over it. Ball gets past wall, big stop.
Paul save after a giveaway out of the back by Morad – 20′
Roots set piece around midfield – 26′
Ball in, foul called on Barbir
Fuenmayor down, ref gave advantage to SD. Shot deflects away – 30′
CHARLIE OH MY GOD – 37′
Dennis with a GORGEOUS shot on the volley. It’s 1-nil Oakland
Function goal cam
Jose shot sails – first half stoppage
SD corner- stoppage
Late push aside by Paul. Corner cleared out.
First half notes:
Roots lead 1-0 despite San Diego having impressive numbers in the first half. Oakland has 2 shots, 1 on target from Dennis’ wonder goal. SD with 8 shots, 4 on target.
Some missed opportunities to hit Rito down the wing, but Oakland
SD shot wide – 51′
Lindo giveaway in Roots zone. Shot goes wide.
ROOTS GOAL – 52′
Baaaaaad giveaway by Adams, lackadaisical pass back. Lindo hops on it and gets by the keeper.
Dennis shot on target – 62′
SD corner – 63′
Memo and Mati on for Lindo and Nane – 68′
Shifts JCA into the attack
Vassell shot high – 70′
Vassell desperation bike – 71′
Azocar nearly makes it 3-0 – 73′
Memo a perfect ball, Azocar free header saved in close range
Thomas Emang and Guido red carded – 77′