The Oakland Roots are on a winning streak for the first time since last July. They managed to hang onto a 1-0 win in Tulsa, where Miche-Naider Chéry got the start at striker for the injured Johnny Rodriguez1 and bagged his second goal of the season.
FC Tulsa outshot the Roots 17-8, but only managed to put three of those shots on target. Paul Blanchette made some impressive saves, but Tulsa blew more than their fair share of chances in this game. We named Blanchette our RootsBlog Man of the Match.
It has been uneasy straight out of the station for Roots, but the wheels are yet to fall off on the season. The train has creaked, wobbled and changed conductors, but they are cruising back on track to the middle of the table.
Now with 1/3 of the season completed, it’s time for the assessment report of a weird Oakland Roots season.
The End of the Noah Delgado Era
Noah Delgado weathered a hell of a storm for the Oakland Roots.
During his tenure, the Roots slowly scrapped a roster built for their previous manager, relied too much on international and academy players, and changed stadiums against their will. It was a period in which the club had to transform from the flashy new soccer team in Oakland into a sustainable business with long-term viability.
Despite the challenges, Delgado had ample time to tweak and tinker with his teams in Oakland, but he never managed to carve his desired identity into the team. He was dealt an unfair hand, but towards the end of his time in charge he did little to increase his unfair odds.
Despite the player personnel changes and increasingly poor results, Delgado sent out different players in a predictable shape week-after-week, eventually year-after-year. Three center backs who were burdened by too much pressure, accompanied by a two-man midfield that struggled to connect progressive passes. What made matters more frustrating was, despite the same structure being evident weekly, it was hard to understand the ethos of Delgado’s Oakland Roots.
“A possession based team that’s super dynamic,” is how the former manager described what he wanted from this year’s team in the preseason press conference. The words “possession” and “dynamic” was used many times.
While the Roots under Delgado showed their share of dynamic moments, few came in possession. On the quick counter, winning the ball in the high press, and running in behind the defense was where the Roots have been the most dangerous. The clash of that reality with the way the team attempted to break their opponents down with the ball led to an often indecipherable mess.
When he took over the job, Delgado was able to catch wind in the sails where Juan Guerra fell flat. He moved Charlie Dennis from the wing into the midfield and unlocked something within the Englishman and the rest of the team.
In his final game, trailing 1-0 to Colorado Springs, Delgado brought on Camden Riley to play right back for Ilya Alekseev and Napo Matsoso for winger Trayvone Reid. In the postgame, Delgado said he liked Mastoso as a winger despite the veteran playing his best games for Roots in defensive midfield, his natural position.
Delgado guided his way through rough waters, but he leaves the job after being unable to redirect the team back on course.
Gavin Glinton Rotates Things
There have been five different lineups in Gavin Glinton’s first five games, but, unlike his predecessor, he has switched up shapes and tactics game-to-game. He’s taken the keys and is driving in a completely different gear.
From his first game in charge, a fully rotated second unit in preparation for midweek at San Jose, it was clear Glinton wanted to audition new players and players in new roles.
There have been familiar three centerback lineups, but also four-man backlines with different midfield shapes. There have been injuries and some schedule congestion contributing to the rotation, but Glinton seems determined to see if he to maximize his roster in new ways.
In the Open Cup match against the Earthquakes, Oakland deployed a 4-4-2 shape that allowed them to control the ball with structure in the first half, but was still comfortable without the ball when put under pressure for longer stretches.
The defense still breaks down too often when defenders steps too high, leaving themselves exposed behind, but Oakland has been far less concerned with controlling the ball under their new manger.
Some new players have emerged as contributors since Glinton took the over on touchline, and it is worth highlighting those who have stood out, and some who have taken a back seat, with the new coach at the wheel.
Who to watch for
Camden Riley
Despite being signed as a center back, Riley gives the Roots midfield more positive play. His flexibility gives the team a lot to play with in-game, and his size along with his ability on the ball seem to be just what Oakland was lacking with his sidelined to start the season.
Miche-Naider Chéry
The former Violette striker started the season slowly, but is finally starting to find the back of the net. He has benefitted from the team’s more direct play, but is also looking more comfortable with his back to goal and the ball at his feet. If Chéry continues to grow into the team, there is a timeline where Roots have a one of the USL’s best striker groups.
Trayvone Reid
Trayvone Reid’s tenure in Oakland has been frustrating at times, largely due to the visible potential in his play. That potential has started showing itself of late, and the Jamaican winger has become a crucial piece in Oakland’s recent success. In the past, Reid has been black-hole in the Roots’ attack, but right now he is playing within the team and creating good opportunities for himself and others.
Justin Rasmussen
Rasmussen was one of Oakland’s best players against San Jose, playing as the left midfielder in the 4-4-2, and since then has been hard to drop from the team. He has been spotted everywhere in the back left side this season, and is playing like the penciled in starter at leftback or wingback. This is J-Ras, not ‘Tin.
Etsgar Cruz
After breaking into the team as a midfielder, Noah Delgado deployed Etsgar Cruz in various attacking roles during his final games as head coach, while Gavin Glinton has opted to play the 17-year old in wider roles so far. As the Roots midfield and attack regain fitness, it will curious to see where the Modesto native is needed in support.
Ilya Alekseev
The 18-year old from Pleasanton was maybe the brightest part in the Roots dim start to this season. As a right wingback, he contributed both goals and assists when playing regularly under Delgado, but has struggled to find minutes since leadership changed. Healthy and available Bryan Tamacas and Memo Diaz have meant fewer minutes are up for grabs on the right side, but Alekseev has played too well to be considered out of the rotation for good.
- Dom Dwyer
Dom Dwyer is out of the rotation until critically proven otherwise. He was on the bench for a home game against Orange County, but didn’t make it off during the last substation window with the game level. When he plays it will be a joyous surprise, but at this point expectation just leads to disappointment. ↩︎