Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting San Antonio FC at Pioneer Stadium. It marks the second-to-last home game of the season and a tall-task against the second-place Western Conference foe. At one point, Oakland was challenging SAFC for second place, but are now treading water in seventh-place–tied for points at 41 with Monterey but ahead on head-to-head, while holding one game in hand.
Once more, ninth-place El Paso is just one point behind Oakland and Monterey, and are set to face off against Charleston today. *Update: El Paso up 3-2 with Charleston*
In his preview, Bloom highlights San Antonio’s recent run of form, which was capped off by a mighty 4-0 win over Orange County.
San Antonio’s most recent fixture looks like they are back on track, a 4-0 hammering of Orange County. The only reason that might not be as good as result as it looks is that after their twelve wins in fourteen from June to September, OCSC has only one point in their last three, including a draw with El Paso and a loss to Switchbacks. Anyway, if that means Orange County are a mid-table team (as the Roots must currently aspire to be)…. San Antonio just thrashed them.
Press Conference
Initial Takeaways
- Going into this match, I’d be happy with a point. Going up 2-0, this one definitely feels like 2 points lost rather than a point gained. It was perhaps the best first-half performance all season, but the consistency just didnt come through for the full 90 minutes. That one hurt, the winless streak continues, and Roots end the night in 8th place.
- Johnny and Pelaez looked good together. They both scored the goals within a minute of each other and brought some offensive firepower. Their physical presence made a good impact, maybe we see them more.
- Here we go, the final stretch of Orange County, San Diego, and El Paso. How many of these 9 points do Roots need? It’s put up or shutup time.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
No Bryan Tamacas, given a rest day, per source. This means Njie gets his first start at LB and Memo Diaz starts at RB. Tarek Morad starts in the midfield opposite of Donasiyano. In the attack, Jeciel Cedeño starts at LW with Johnny on the right and Pelaez starts at striker. Gomez notably included in the subs.
- San Antonio Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME! Can Oakland Roots start its late-season run against the defending champs?
Johnny shot from distance on target, straight to keeper- 4′
ROOTS GOAL – 9′
WAS THAT JOHNNY OR ZLATAN! A TWISTING VOLLEY TAE KWON DO KICK AND ITS IN.
Memo perfect long ball in
ROOTS GOAL – 10′
PELAEZ PICKS THE CBS POCKET AND SLOTS IT HOME. HOLY SHIT.
SA slow header on target – 23′
first real offensive action for San Antonio
SA near giveaway, Johnny takes a touch and GK greets it – 27′
Paul pushes away a cross in box – 30′
SA Fogaca skies a shot – 30′
SA’s Oluwaseyi skies an attempt – 33′
Paul huge save, tops Patino on a ball through in close range – 40′
Paul easy save – 45+1′
First Half notes:
Roots lead after two quick goals in succession and look strong. Not as much fluidity as the early minutes, but they’ve done well to stifle San Antonio going forward.
Oakland with 4 shots, 3 on target and 52 percent possession to San Antonio’s 2 shots, 1 on target.
Pair of Pelaez shots blocked, Koze shot deflected out for corner – 48′
Roots corner – 49′
Cleared.
Roors corner – 49′
Roots corner again – 51′
Hackshaw header hits post!
San Antonio goal – 55′
Another long ball plagues Oakland. Ball over the top leaves Barbir in no mans land. Patino slots it in.
SA long free kick cleared – 63′
Roots free kick – 65′
Near left corner flag
Roots corner- 71′
back to back
Nada
Lindo on for Cedeño – 75′
Koze shot from distance- 77′
SA free kick – 86′
Long ball in
Pelaez shot wide – 90
Wolf on for Memo. Injury.
SA ties it, stoppage
Long ball just trickles around the area and leads to Oluwseyi tapping it in.