Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC from Pioneer Stadium in Hayward. Roots return home after a disappointing 3-1 loss at Detroit City, but have an opportunity for three points facing the winless Switchbacks, holding one point at 0-1-5.
In today’s match preview, Bloom highlights how Colorado Springs has been a big letdown thus far.
Folks were optimistic about Colorado Springs going into this season, having picked up Ronaldo Damus and Wahab Ackwei in the offseason. Switchbacks have not lived up to that optimism, with two goals and one point through six matches. The only defense to that record I can muster is that they’ve played some good teams, although they have a loss to Miami FC (last in the East) and their one point this past weekend against Indy Eleven (second to last in the East). Otherwise they have lost to Detroit, San Antonio, Sacramento, and Phoenix, who are undefeated, good, good, and okay, respectively. Switchbacks’ goals against is basically league average, maybe a little on the bad side. Their problem is their absolutely putrid offense (again… two goals).
Postgame Press Conference
Initial Takeaways
- “Im gonna go home and set myself on fire,” Steve Bowles said. Welp. Tonight marks 20 matches without a clean sheet in USL Championship play and 21 matches overall. It is also just two wins at home over the last 17 matches. Roots just can’t seem to find an answer offensively or defensively. Colorado Springs won its first match of the season, scoring both of its goals on low crosses in front of net. It hurts.
- Can Don Dwyer save this attack? Roots had just 2 shots on target in 9 attempts, while Colorado Springs had 15 shots and 6 on target. Johnny Rodriguez is the only CF with a goal scored this season.
- With 20 matches without a clean sheet, Jack promised us a powe ranking list of goals we’ve allowed that upset him. Personally, I couldn’t be more excited for this. If we’re gonna suck, let’s at least have fun.
- And one positive. With tonight’s live blog, OaklandRootsBlog has officially set its record for views in one month. Thank you everyone!
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Trayvone Reid starts in the CF spot opposite of Johnny Rodriguez, which is the only difference in my starting 11 prediction. Camden Riley is back on the subs, which starts Tamacas at RCB and Alekseev at RWB. Another big start for the teenager.
- Colorado Springs Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME!!!!! Oakland Roots look to get back in the win column, can they get the job done against a struggling Switchbacks?
Roots free kick – 3′
Roots goal by Logue wiped. Not sure who was offside.
Cedeño shot wide – 8′
Johnny passes up on a shot
Roots free kick – 14′
COS free kick – 17′
from far right, claim by Paul
Johnny wide on volley – 20′
Yellow on COS Zandi – 22′
Roots corner – 24′
Roots corner – 32′
Rasmussen tipped wide – 32′
leads to corner
Roots corner x2 – 33′
both lead to nothing
COS shot blocked – 35′
Huuuuuge save by Paul – 45′
Shot on first touch by Hanya
Shot blocked by Cedeño – 45’+2′
First half notes:
Pretty even match, Roots with 4 shots, 1 on target and 3 corners and 45 percent of possession. Switchbacks with 6 shots, 2 on target, 1 missed big opportunity. Roots early goal wiped.
COS corner – 49′
leads to nothing
COS free kick – 52′
Good area on right side. Leads to nothing.
Johnny header high – 57′
Colorado shot wide – 60′
Tamacas blocked – 60′
Good work in transition. Tamacas started counter
Roots corner – 61′
Colorado shot deflected high – 66′
Colorado corner – 67′
Colorado goal – 71′
Low cross out in front to #27 for the goal.
Johnny header shot on target – 72′
big diving save.
Roots corner – 75′
leads to nothing
Chery on for Logue – 77′
Colorado free kick – 78′
good area on left. Ball into side netting
Colorado kills game – 85′
Rocha wide open in front, scores
Roots corner – 90+1′