Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting Orange County SC at CSUEB’s Pioneer Stadium. Roots walk into the match looking for its first win since defeating El Paso on April 13, while OCSC is in third place but have lost its last two matches including its recent 3-nil loss to Louisville.
Oakland is still looking to correct its woes going back from last season. Roots have spanned 23 matches without a clean sheet since August 4’s 1-0 win over Charleston, have won just two home games in its last 18 attempts, and are winless in its last five matches.
In today’s preview, Bloom highlights Orange County’s roster makeup.
Well well well, if it isn’t our old friend Orange County Soccer Club. OCSC sit in third in the Western Conference, 4-3-2, ahead of Monterey Bay on goal differential (and have a game in hand anyway). Their offense is bad, which is to say, they have only one more goal than the Roots through one fewer match. With Milan Iloski playing (or, apparently not playing) in the Danish Superliga, Orange County are in search of a consistent goal threat. Leading the team with three goals is Thomas Amang, who played for Orange County last year and the years before with San Diego and Colorado Springs
Postgame Presser
RootsBlog Man of the Match – Gagi Margvelashvili
We name Gagi Margvelashvili our RootsBlog Man of the Match for scoring the game-winner at the death. The center back was in the right spot at the right time, gathering a long ball from Jeciel Cedeño off his chest before slotting it home.
It marked his first Roots goal, becoming Oakland’s first win since April 13 against El Paso.
Initial Takeaways
- THEY WONNNNN!!!! Ah, it feels so nice to get three points. Oakland did it with its best offensive output all season with 18 shots, 4 on target, 4 corners, and generated 3 big scoring chances despite only converting on one. Roots dominated possession in the second half, only allowing one shot attempt in the second half.
- Johnny getting injured in the 3rd minute could’ve left a sour mark on the night, but Miche-Naider Chéry effectively filled in. Although he didn’t score, he soaks up attention. Chéry had 3 shots, 1 scoring chance, finished with 30 touches and won 8 total duels.
- Trayvone Reid also seems to be hitting his peak while in a Roots uniform. He drew the penalty and drilled the PK, finishing with FotMob’s Man of the Match with an 8.6 rating, recording 3 shots, 9 touches inside the opponent’s penalty area, 41 total touches, 2 successful dribbles and won 7 duels.
Top 10 Ratings
- Trayvone Reid, 8.6
- Gagi Margvelashvili, 7.8
- Justin Rasmussen, 7.4
- Niall Logue, 7.3
- Neveal Hackshaw, 7.2
- Miche-Naider Chéry, 7.0
- Memo Diaz, 6.9
- Danny Gomez, 6.9
- Camden Riley, 6.9
- Jeciel Cedeño, 6.9
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
It says 3-4-3 but I’m not sure whether to trust it. It lists Hackshaw as a CB but he’ll likely operate more as a CDM. Gagi at RCB and Logue at LCB will likely tuck inside. Gomez and Riley are listed as CMs with Rasmussen and Memo providing the width. Njie is listed as a left winger, I’m curious to see how he lines up systematically. Leading the attack will be Johnny and Trayvone.
Dwyer appears on the bench for the first time. No Bryan Tamacas on the subs list either, told its a precaution.
- Orange County Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME!!!!! Can Oakland Roots get out of the cellar and find a result?
Johnny down but gets up – 3′
feeling his groin area, troublesome injury for him. Johnny off for a moment.
Johnny coming off – 6′
Roots free kick – 11′
play short and does nothing
Roots free kick – 12′
on right side near sideline.
Ball skips around, Tray shot blocked, easy grab
Chery shot high, good steal high by Riley – 15′
OC header goal – 21′
Thomas Amang free header right in front of the goal. Perfect cross over Logue.
Roots PK!!! – 31′
Trayvone draws the foul in the box. He steps to the spot.
Reid barries it on a shot to the right.
After goal, entire group huddles together with Riley looking like he was leading a conversation to keep everyone in check. Great to see from the veteran.
Hackshaw shot high – 38′
OC free kick – 43′
Yellow on Tray
Good area on right side, long ball in cleared. OC retains but eventually called offside
First half notes:
Roots give up an easy header but answer just 10 minutes later. It’s pretty even, Oakland with 49% possession, 3 shots, 1 on target and 1 big scoring chance. OC with 4 shots, 2 on target, neither team has drawn a corner.
Amang comes off – 51′
He’s very upset, kicks bench cover. Ethan Zubak on.
Roots free kick on right side – 56′
Riley header on doorstep loops over – 57′
Roots corner – 60′
First of game
Roots scrum in front – 68′
Keeper spills possession, a few blocked shots, including one cleared off of the line. Big chance
Trayvone shot on target, slow – 73′
Lindo and Napo getting ready to come on – 77′
Cedeño shot wide- 79′
Napo and Lindo on for Tray and Gomez – 81′
Roots free kick – 84′
Good area, 20 yards above area
Roots corner – 85′
Hackshaw header sails
Roots corner – 87′
Roots free kick – 88′
Ball falls to Chéry, his shot blocked. Ball then falls to Hackshaw, shot sails high.
ROOTS GOAL AT THE DEATH – 90+3′
CEDEÑO A PERFECT BALL IN TO GAGI. Takes it off his chest and slots it in.