Hello and welcome to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots visiting Sacramento Republic at Heart Health Park. It’s the I-80 (I-H80) Derby and anything can happen, but Republic has taken control of the series with three straight wins over Oakland.
Oakland walks into the match in ninth place at 5-2-7 with 17 points, but three points could catapult Roots up the standings pending today’s results around the league. Sacramento, meanwhile, is in second place at 6-6-1 with 24 points.
In today’s preview, Bloom highlights Sacramento’s roster situation with Russel Cicerone and Rodrigo Lopez dealing with injuries, while Jack Gurr will miss tonight after being red carded in their previous match.
through April 27, they had not really played anyone great. Indy are good now, but they started slow including losing to Roots on opening day. Sacramento lost Rodrigo Lopez around April 17, and Russell Cicerone around May 11, and you can definitely see the dip in form coinciding with playing a couple tougher opponents. Lopez may be done for good. Cicerone needed surgery and it seems unlikely that he’d be back in time for the match this weekend, but I don’t really know anything about the injury or normal recovery time… This past weekend, Republic took down Monterey in Seaside, for their first win since the start of May. Not shown in the highlights, but buccaneering right back Jack Gurr picked up a straight red, and we should not expect to see him against the Roots.
Postgame Presser
RootsBlog Man of the Match – Lindo Mfeka
Who else could it be? Lindo’ brace marks one of the best derby performances of all time for Oakland Roots. His first goal was a product of interplay with Johnny Rodriguez, but he showed technical excellence when taking a touch with his left to settle the ball before wrapping his right foot around it. His second goal was a product of individual work, hopping in front of Johnny to take possession and accurately put a shot away. What a game from the veteran.
Initial Takeaways
- It’s a Derby all-timer!
Despite giving up two goals in the end, Oakland Roots put together an all-time performance, marking Roots’ first win in Sacramento. They could’ve made it 5 or 6 goals, as Glinton said, it was a full-team performance.
The fireworks at Heart Health Park were for Roots.
- Glinton continues producing
There is a clear energy shift under Glinton, which is some of the highest praise you can give to a new coach. Roots continue to look stronger as the games pass by, now attaining two wins against a pair of the strongest organizations in the league.
Roots came with a gameplan and executed to a high level. The culture changes Glinton preached about are seemingly getting through to the players.
And you could see how much it meant to him. Glinton was the first person to celebrate in front of the away-stand, pumping his fists with energy.
- The traveling support was stellar
Call me biased, but Roots’ traveling support made more noise than Republic’s supporters section. They brought the numbers and the noise necessary for a derby match, giving energy for all 90 minutes.
The support was loud, organized, and let Republic know that Northern California is Mosaic. Heart Health Park belonged to Roots fans tonight.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Paul Blanchette is on the subs list, meaning Tim Syrel gets his second straight start. Danny Gomez starts in the midfield, which is the only change from last week against Tampa. Johnny Rodriguez starts up top, so he’s healthy.
Also, Bryan Tamacas is on the subs, apparently he’s back from international duty.
- Sacramento Republic Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME!!!!!! Can Oakland Roots upset the central valley rival?
Nervous moments on a pass back from Hackshaw to Syrel – 2′
Cedeño shot blocked for corner – 8′
Roots corner – 8′
nothing
Sac shot wide – 10′
Roots doing well keeping ball in Sac’s defensive half – 18′
ROOTS GOAL!!!! – 20′
Lindo with beautiful work. Takes a chest pass from Johnny, settles with his left, then follows up with his right to the right post. Well done.
PENALTY!!!!! – 27′
Reid draws it by turning his defender inside out! Johnny steps to the spot, takes it soft and Vitiello jumps on it.
Yellow on Gagi – 31′
Sac free kick on edge of area. Near PK allows by Syrel – 34′
On right side, a few feet down the line. Felipe skies a shot
Yellow on Memo – 37′
Sac weak header wide – 38′
Johnny shot on target draws a corner – 40′
Roots corner – 41′
retain possession
Big save stop by Syrel – 44′
follow up shot called offside
Sac long free kick – 45+2′
Hackshaw header out for a corner
Sac corner – 45+3′
Sac corner – 45+3′
Sac wants a PK on final ball in, no call
First half notes : I’d feel much more comfortable with a 2-0 lead, but Oakland is looking great. Roots with 4 shots, 3 on target, missed 1 big chance, 2 corner. Sac with 4 shots, 1 on target, 2 corner.
Feed Reid. He is absolutely dominating his defender.
Sac pair of corner – 48′
Both handled well
ROOTS GOAL – 49′
LINDOOOOOOOO. BEAUTIFUL INDIVIDUAL WORK
Lindo nearly bags a hat trick – 54′
Sac corner – 61′
retained, leads to a Sac foul
Sac continues to work down by the end line – 64′
ROOTS GOAL!!!!!!! – 66′
CEDENO PUTS IT AWAY. ITS OOOOOOVER
Sac free kick – 74′
Logue on for Rasmussen
Dwyer and Tamacas on – 75′
Roots corner – 77′
Sac pulls one back – 80′
Dangerous moment, Sac nearly bags one but a huge block from Gagi – 82′
Sac corner – 82′
leads to a goal kick
Dwyer shot high – 89′
Sac shot way high – 89′
Roots corner – 90′
Sac makes it 3-2 – 90+2′
Dwyer hits the crossbar! – 90+4′
Roots free kick – 90+5′
Johnny takes a high boot, should’ve been a red, imo
Sac long free kick – 90+8′