Roots fans it is game day again! The Roots are in their hottest form in nearly a year, and face one of their toughest tests of the season–a trip up I-80 to face Sacramento Republic at 8:00 p.m. on June 15, 2024 at Heart Health Park. The good news for the Roots is that Republic are missing some key players. The bad news is that every player on Sacramento might still be the highest paid player on the Roots.
Everyone tells you that you get so much sleep when you have a newborn and I feel like that’s just not been that accurate for me so far. Anyway, this is going to be a brief preview. I’m frankly surprised I’m even catching the games on TV.
Sacramento Republic
So there’s no way to read this except that Republic are good. But that said, 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.
Oakland Roots
I don’t hate this.
Tampa Bay had some good chance in the first half, but the Roots got more solid as the game went on, and by the end, you’d say the win was deserved. The goal was an excellent pass to Memo from Gagi, a flawless cross by Memo to Cedeno, and a great headed finish from a guy who cannot have many of those to his name. Rasmussen and Gagi have really stood out in the Glinton era, and I think Memo, Riley and Reid all played excellently in this match. Plus we saw Dom Dwyer. Things are happening in Oakland under Glinton, even if right now what’s happening is “solid, unremarkable performances leading to points on the table.” I will gladly take that for now.
Lineup and Score Predictions
Bloom
I think the starting lineup looks like last week, at least strategically, with a couple changes based on availability. If Blanchette is healthy he starts, despite what I thought was a very good game from Syrel. If ready to start, I also think Logue comes in and pushes Hackshaw back up into midfield either in place of or in partnership with Riley (displacing Matsoso–this would be my vote, as any RootsPod listeners I’m sure know). I doubt that Dwyer starts, but maybe he gets 30 or 35 minutes this week before starting the following game. If there is a change to attack, I’d guess it is Njie in for one of Mfeka/Cedeno.
How is this match going to go? I mean, I think Sacramento still have a lot to them, even if this is a fortuitous time to catch them. I like the Roots’ current form, but beating Sacramento on the road is just such a big ask. 2-2 Roots.
Jon
I’m in agreement with Peter, I’m thinking Roots re-new its lineup from Tampa Bay after a strong performance, notably from the back line. Per the injury report, Paul Blanchette (concussion) is healthy and off the list, so he seems assured to start. I’m most curious about the striker spot with Johnny. If he good enough to start after finishing the previous game sitting on the pitch in an exasperated state? If he’s not, I could see Miche-Naider Chéry getting the nod, which I am very comfortable with.
Roots’ defense holds strong again, 1-nil victory.
Aaron
Peter and Jon tell me that Roots are catching Sac at the right time. But let’s be real, if you’re going to beseech the Almighty for aid in vanquishing one opponent, shouldn’t it be your most hated rival? Let me add, since invoking The One Most High in service of crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentations of their women has a….fraught history, that I’m seeing this more like an Angels-in-the-Outfield situation than the type of situation that will help resolve an Indiana Jones film a thousand years from now. Perhaps some divine intervention with some bounces? It doesn’t hurt to ask, even though She surely has better things to do with her time. My prediction? Prayers are answered. 1-0 Roots.