Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting El Farolito for the second round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup, back at Cal State University East Bay’s Pioneer Stadium in Hayward. A win tonight for Roots would give the club its first Open Cup victory, while El Farolito is most famous for winning the 1993 tournament under its previous name, Club Deportivo (CD) Mexico.
We knew it would be interesting to see Oakland’s roster tonight. They enter several players we expect to eventually reach the first-team, like Trayvone Reid, Kevin Wright, Neveal Hackshaw, and Bryan Tamacas. It’s certainly an intriguing lineup, much stronger than the starting 11 ran out in last year’s 2-0 loss to Greenville Triumph.
In his preview, Bloom highlights El Farolito and how they performed in their big 3-0 win over Inter San Francisco:
El Farolito has competed in the NPSL since 2017, a semi-professional league with 92 teams including two Oakland based clubs, Oakland SC and Oakland Stompers, and a club that would be near and dear to my heart if they weren’t folding and I could actually get to a game, AFC Mobile… Through the first 90 and a lengthy stoppage time, there appears to have been a red card and a single shot on target. There were two pretty violent elbows caught by the camera, so I’m not wild about the Roots running into that.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2023/04/04/oakland-roots-vs-el-farolito-match-preview-april-4-2023/
Postgame press conference
Initial Takeaways
- A 3-1 victory in the Open Cup is a good confidence builder for many on the squad. Wolfgang Prentice is the epitome of that, scoring two goals in the first half and nearly landing a hat trick. He switched from right back to right wing, showing he has versatility to his game. Delgado mentioned in his postgame presser that Wolfy can potentially line up in the midfield as well. His goal in the 16th minute was a perfect move around a defender, wrapping his right foot around it for the goal.
- Johnny Rodriguez continued his onslaught on opposing nets, scoring in the 11th minute on a perfect near-post run. He’s in a run of form that is hard to match and he seems to know it as well. His goal marked his third of the season, leading the team.
- There was a second-half lapse where Oakland struggled to create anything offensively. They only had a few shots that sailed high over net, while Wolfgang had his shot on target that arguably should’ve been finished. After the three goals in the first half, Roots appeared to take their foot off of the gas pedal.
- Neveal Hackshaw showed his veteran stature tonight. He played 90 minutes and looked like a stabilizing presence in the back line. I’m hoping his veteran demeanor can rub off on the younger players on the roster and he can provide consistency as a left side center back.
- It was also a good day for Ethan Kohler and Drew Murray, the teenage duo from San Jose Earthquakes’ academy and U.S. Youth National Team internationals. Kohler fed Wolfgang on his first goal and had some good moments in possession, he also had a giveaway in the first half that I’m grateful Oakland wasn’t punished on. I also thought Kevin Wright could’ve had a better game, but seeing rust in his first full game wasn’t overly concerning. Ryan Her, meanwhile, had a perfect cross for Johnny’s goal.
Man of the Match – Wolfgang Prentice & Johnny Rodriguez
We nominated Wolfgang Prentice and Johnny Rodriguez as our two RootsBlog Man of the Match recipients. Wolfgang had two goals as a right back and moved up into the attack during the second half.
Johnny, meanwhile, has been on fire in his last three appearances. He bagged the opening goal and then landed a perfect cross to Wolfgang for his goal in the 24th. It marked his third goal of the season, leading the team. He’s been hitting another level with his development.
Key Events
- El Farolito goal – 45′
Bailey dives for a ball, makes contact with attacker. Goal
- ROOTS GOAL – 24′
Johnny feeds Wolfgang in front of net. First touch goal, too easy for Roots. They are 2 away from a team scoring record.
- ROOTS GOAL – 16′
Ethan Kohler feeds Wolfgang Prentice on the right side, wraps his foot around it for the goal.
- ROOTS GOAL – 11′
Johnny draws a free kick on left side of the area. Ryan Her sends a perfect ball in to Rodriguez for the header goal.
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Johnny Rodriguez gets the start up top, I’m excited to see what he can do against a weaker opponent. He apparently kicked ass all preseason and has goals in successive games; it could be a big game for him. This starting 11 provides a great look at some new talent you wouldn’t expect to be playing teams like El Faroltio. Neveal Hackshaw is in alongside Drew Murray and Bryan Tamacas–which is a starting back line I could undoubtedly see one day. We get our first look at Ethan Kohler in the midfield, while Trayvone Reid gets his first start. It’s also a big day for Wolfgang Prentice at right back and Ryan Her at right wing.
- El Farolito Starting 11
Timeline
U.S. OPEN CUP TIME! Can Roots get their first Cup win in team history? It’s clearly set up for them on a silver platter this time after facing the USL League 1 finalists last year.
Farolito free kick good area – 8′
shot on target, diving save.
Johnny draws free kick – 11′
Ryan Her ball in to Johnny, header goal!
ROOTS GOAL – 16′
Ethan Kohler feeds Wolfgang Prentice on the right side, wraps his foot around it for the goal.
Reid shot on target – 18′
Roots free kick – 23′
ROOTS GOAL – 24′
Johnny feeds Wolfgang in front of net. First touch goal, too easy for Roots. They are 2 away from a team scoring record.
Save Bailey close distance – 30′
El Farolita draws PK – 45′
Bailey dives for a ball, makes contact with attacker. Goal.
El Farolito free kick good area – 55′
Very wide
Johnny shot sails – 59′
Wolfgang shot sails – 61′
Johnny draws free kick in good area – 66′
Pelaez subs in for Johnny – 69′
Formella subs on for Reid.
El Farolito corner – 73′
Cleared.
El Farolito shot sails – 74′
Barbir on for Murray
El Farolito red card – 84′
Hackshaw clears a goal off of the line – 86′
Prentice shot on target – stoppage