Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting Sacramento Republic at Pioneer Stadium. Both sides are looking to bounce back following Roots’ 2-1 loss to Louisville City while Sacramento has dropped back-to-back matches by 2-nil and 2-1 results to Orange County and Phoenix.
Roots enter in fourth place of the Western Conference, but things are getting nervously tight atop the standings. Oakland is equal points at 40 with San Diego Loyal, which plays Birmingham on Sunday. Phoenix has 38 points in sixth, Colorado Springs has 36 in seventh, and El Paso has 35 at the playoff line in eighth. With Phoenix and Orange County picking up three points on Sacramento, tonight’s match feels like an important time to get a result.
In his preview, Bloom highlights Sacramento’s current run of form. He names Russell Cicerone and Jack Gurr as his players to watch on the opposing side.
I propose that you look at Sac’s season in two halves. In the first half they were 8-3-1 with +18 goal differential and six clean sheets. In the second half, they are 5-5-4 with a +3 goal differential and three clean sheets. Admittedly, in that second half they have home wins over San Antonio (3-1) and Phoenix Rising (4-0), and there is no disputing that those are quality wins. However, they also have a 1-1 draw to RGV, a 1-1 home draw to Memphis, an 0-3 loss to New Mexico, and an 0-1 loss to Monterey Bay, and that’s without getting into their dubious form over the last five games.
Postgame Presser
Initial Takeaways
- A rough result, where Oakland generated most of the clear chances. Roots finished with 19 shots and 6 on target, but just couldn’t put the ball across the line. Sac only had 7 shots, 3 on target and just 38 percent of possession. A penalty kick at the very start of the game ultimately told the tale.
- Finishing wasn’t sharp tonight. Lindo had a handful of chances in front of the net, including in the 28th, 55th, and 64th minutes. If the ball shifted by just one or two inches, this match could’ve been very different.
- We’ve officially entered crunch time. There are now seven matches left in the season and many of them are must-wins for Roots to secure a home playoff game. Vegas is up next, followed by Tulsa and Monterey–I’m chalking all three as must-wins for Oakland.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
- Sacramento Republic Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME! Can Oakland Roots get a win against its NorCal rival? Three points goes a long ways for Roots.
Sac PK – 3′
I don’t know what even happened. Foul called on Napo. Felipe scores.
Sac free kick – 11′
About 20 yards outside area, ball in cleared.
Roots corner- 24′
Johnny shot blocked out.
Roots free kick good area – 26′
Lindo shot on target, easily handled.
Big chance missed – 28′
Ball falls to Lindo on the dootstep, cant make good contact and its batted away before being cleared for a corner.
Roots corner – 28′
Cedeño shot into side netting – 38′
Sac corner – 42′
Ball goes straight through.
Roots corner – 45′
Roots corner – stoppage
Roots corner – stoppage
Roots free kick – stoppage
From near midfield.
First half notes:
Roots trail after conceding the early penalty kick, but really nothing challenging from Sac. Oakland with 6 shots, 2 on target, drew 5 corners. Sac with 4 shots, 2 on target.
Cedeno shot on target – 50′
shot bobbled by the keeper
Barbir shot on target – 54′
Lindo attempt on volley blocked, good chance – 55′
Paul big diving save – 58′
Cedeño shot blocked – 59′
Good buildup.
Corner – 60′
leads to another.
second corner
Johnny athletic shot on target- 61′
Not enough heat on it to challenge the keeper
Lindo shot sails on volley – 64′
Good ball in by Memo
Sac shot wide – 70′
Good chance missed by Viader
Anuar on for Johnny – 74′
Roots free kick – 75′
About 30 yards out.
Roots corner – 76′
After a Memo shot deflected out. Retain possession, Memo eventually skies a shot
Sac corner – 78′
Cleared out. But Sac retains.
Barbir attempt wide om volley – 83′
Reid on for Tamacas- 84′
Koze on for Morad – 88′
Lindo and a punkass Sac player get into a skirmish – 90′
Roots corner -stoppage
Another corner – stoppage
Roots free kick – 90+5′
leads to a corner
Roots corner
retained.