Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Soul’s 2024 season-opener at Stockton Cargo on a sunny Sunday, May 5 at University of the Pacific. Soul returns after losing in the USL W League playoffs to San Francisco Glens and have their eyes on chasing a National Title.
For a full rundown of Oakland Soul’s roster, competition, and future in the league, check out our official season preview.
Last year, Soul opened the season with a 3-2 win on the road over Cargo and followed up with a dominant 5-2 victory at Merritt College a month later. Stockton, as mentioned in the season-preview, is expected to be an improved squad.
Initial Takeaways
- Obviously a less than desired result, but it’s not a cause for alarm. It very much had the look of a first game on a finishing perspective for the attack, Soul probably left a few goals on the field, but Oakland looked controlling and played their game for all 90 minutes. Soul finished with 14-15 shots, which is the sign of a productive game. They’
- The gameday lineup has to do with the lack of fluidity finishing. Coach Clinton commented about how some players the team was meeting for the very first time tonight, a testament to the nature of W League. An accelerated month-and-a-half season requires players to get acclimated quickly and find chemistry in a very small window of time. We’ll see what a week of practice does for the squad.
- It’s fun to watch attacking football. Soul exhibits everything Roots want to be: possessive football that is always on the front foot and is entertaining to watch. Even in a scorless game Soul, they generated a lot of action.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Soul Starting 11
Soul comes out in a 4-2-3-1 with Miranda Nild as the lead striker. Lizzie Vranesh starts in the #10 role with Brinkman on the left and Tran on the right. Yamamoto starts at left back, making the return from last year. New player Frohan moves in at right back with a center back combination of Sydney Shepherd and Marissa Garcia.
Timeline
GAMETIME!!! The title chase is on!
Miranda shot on target – 10′
forces diving save
Soul corner – 10′
Play to Shepherd, header out for corner. Prob a pass.
Vranesh shot wide – 11′
Soul corner – 14′
Claimed
Miranda shot high – 20′
Pulled from a bit over the box
Henar shot goes wide, slowly – 21′
Soul free kick from distance- 25′
Longball in bounces, leads to a lob by Yamamoto
Tran header wide – 27′
Tran taken down in box, no call – 30′
Soul free kick – 36′
good area on left
draws corner
Soul corner – 37′
leads to nothing
Soul corner – 40′
cleared out
Vranesh long ball over net – 43′
Brinkman slow shot, skips ahead of goal. Wanted more power- 45+1′
First half notes:
Soul and Cargo go scoreless into the half. Oakland looks like it’s still finding it’s bearings on the offensive side but look like they are going to wear Stockton down with its relentless pressure.
Nild has forced one diving save, which has been the most challenging looks. Still looking to consistently challenge the keeper.
Cargo shot just over bar – 50′
Stockton play in the box, leads to shot wide – 52′
Stockton shot from atop box easily handled – 56′
Veland header high – 60′
in front of net, probably wants that back.
Marison in for someone
Tran hits the post – 66′
She looks in disbelief, golden opportunity
Soul free kick right side – 71′
Koady sends ball in, Murison header tipped away. Ball eventually cleared.
Nild with a big chance, pushes it wide – 77′
Great feed by Murison. Ball out in front GK causes a scrum. Nild recovers but shot goes wide.
Soul free kick good area on right – 89′
Cargo shot very wide 90+2′