Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting Monterey Bay FC Union at Pioneer Stadium. Oakland looks to get back on track after dropping the last two straight games, while Monterey are currently 1-2-1 after losing to San Antonio. It’s worth mentioning Roots are looking for their second win in the last 16 matches.
In his preview, Bloom highlights Monterey’s current run of form through its first four games. He names Rafael Baca and Mobi Fehr as his two players to watch.
MBFC are off to an okay start. Obviously, a point better than the Roots have through four. But Monterey’s three decent results are all against teams that are really struggling. They kicked off the season with a 1-1 draw away to El Paso (who have gone 0-1-3 so far. They then won 1-0 at home over Phoenix, which would appear to be a good result but Phoenix’s only non-loss is their home win over the Roots. Union hosted league newcomers Rhode Island FC and drew 2-2 (RIFC are 0-2-1 to start). In their defense, Union’s only loss is 2-1 away to SAFC, which still isn’t a win, but is a result that you’d not be shocked by from an otherwise good team.
https://oaklandrootsblog.com/2024/04/06/oakland-roots-vs-monterey-bay-f-c-match-preview-april-6-2024/?amp=1
Postgame Presser
Initial Takeaways
- The skid continues. Roots have 1 win since August of last year when defeating Charleston, marking one win in 16 matches. The win over Charleston was also the last clean sheet for Oakland.
- Post whistle mayhem. There was a big scrum at the final whistle and its unclear who is getting red carded. I’m told Hackshaw is likely a red card and will receive a multiple game suspension for throwing a punch. Maybe one red for Monterey, but Roots will be without their captain going forward.
*Update* Red cards issued to Hackshaw and Njie for Roots. On Monterey, Walmer Martinez and Carlos Herrera red carded.
- Where do Roots go from here? The dread at the end of last season was what happens to the team if they start slow? Oakland doesn’t look much better from when last season ended and its hard to judge what exactly the issue is. Was it a matter of faulty roster building? Is it down to the players failing to execute? Or does it fall on the coaching staff? It begs the question, what is the end of the rope before changes are needed?
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Another week without Johnny Rodriguez up top, he’s on the subs. Lindo Mfeka gets his first start and appears set for a CF role alongside Reid. Cedeño starts in thr CAM role, his natural position. Irakoze Donasiyano returns to the midfield along with Bryan Tamacas to the RWB role. Riley is still out with his injury, forcing Hackshaw to the back line with Rasmussen out as well. Lindo gets his first start of the season, big game for him.
- Monterey Starting 11
Timeline
IT’S GAME TIME!!!! Can Oakland Roots get back on track against their central coast rival?
Near giveaway in front of the net – 3′
Huge stop by Paul.
MB corner – 11′
Shot attempt blocked, leads to another corner
MB corner – 12′
Paul claim
MB flat shot on target – 16′
Really good opportunity missed by Monterey. Wide open cross right in front of net. Doesn’t make good contact on shot.
MB corner – 22′
cleared
MB corner – 26′
easy claim
Paul jumps on shot that was going wide. May be a shot on target – 29′
MB free kick good area above box – 31′
Dixon shot into wall
Roots first touch in penalty area? – 40′
This is boring.
Roots free kick – 41′
Leads to nothing
Roots corner – 45+1′
Leads to a shot by Koze that was blocked
First half notes:
Roots look most productive in the final 5 minutes and may have not had a touch inside the opponents penalty area until the 40th minute.
Monterey controlling the action with 4 shots, 3 on target, 1 big chance missed and 4 corners. Roots have 1 shot by Koze that was blocked and have drawn 1 corner. Roots with 54% possession
Johnny on for Lindo – 46′
MB corner -49′
Sinha spills a ball, Cedeño shot from outside area goes straight to GK – 54′
Johnny nearly feeds Tray, no shot – 56′
Johnny shot wide – 56′
Tray cross or shot high – 57′
more like a cross
MB corner – 60′
Foul, goal kick
Memo and Napo coming on for Tray and Njie – 64′
Memo slow shot on target- 65′
stole ball high.
Johnny shot blocked for corner- 66′
Johnny shot wide – 68′
started by a steal by Memo.
Johnny shot wide – 73′
Roots goal wiped – 81′
Offside call on Johnny. Think it was Gomez on a chip
MB shot wide – 84′
Monterey goal – 86′
Cross out in front, ball skips over Paul and gets sent in.
Chery on for Gagi – 90+1′
Roots corner – 90+2′