It was a night of magic, thrills, and drama for Oakland Roots in the central valley, coming away with a critical 3-2 victory in the I-80 Derby over Sacramento Republic on Saturday. The result improves Oakland’s record to 6-2-7 and puts them up to sixth-place, equal points with fifth-place Colorado Springs and Phoenix in fourth.
Any onlooker could tell what the result meant to Roots’ players, coaches, and supporters. At the end of the match, interim head coach Gavin Glinton celebrated in front of the fans while the players gathered for a group photo with section 111. It marked Oakland’s first victory playing away in Sacramento and its first win over the Nor Cal rival since 2021 at Laney, spoiling Republic’s fireworks night.
“Wins like this are beyond words a bit. I’m so proud for the boys; the performance, the club, the fans. Those are the moments Derbies are made for. When you come through, it’s a win for everybody from the top all the way through the organization. We feel it now, it just feels great,” Glinton said.
Roots led 3-nil with a goal by Lindo Mfeka in the 19th minute, followed by Mfeka scoring again in the 48th. Jeciel Cedeño got Oakland’s third in the 65th, but as Roots’ energy began to wane in the latter stages, Sacramento’s Trevor Amann made things interesting with a pair of goals in the 79th and 90+2′.
Oakland could’ve finished the night with four, five, or even six goals goals. Johnny Rodriguez missing a penalty in the 27th, Mfeka nearly got his hat trick in the 54th when his shot nearly exploded the crossbar, while Dom Dwyer also had a shot clang off of the crossbar at 90+4′.
Roots still had some nervous moments, like Neveal Hackshaw’s near disaster on a back pass to goal keeper Tim Syrel in the second minute. The 20-year-old goal keeper then nearly committed a penalty in the 34th when making a play on the ball near the edge of the box, but the official correctly called the foul outside the area.
In the 82nd minute, Sacramento made a play on a ball over the top to Amann, who clattered into Syrel, and resulting in the ball nestling for a shot by Rafael Jauregui. But there to prevent the goal into the empty net was Niall Logue, poking a foot out to force it wide.
Here are our talking points coming out of Saturday night.
Lindo Mfeka’s stunning display
Lindo Mfeka bagged two of Oakland’s three goals in what may have been his best performance in a Roots’ uniform. We named him our RootsBlog Man of the Match after finishing with a 9.1 FotMob rating, recording two of three shots on target, one off the woodwork, completed 13/15 passes, one successful dribble, won two ground duels and took five touches inside the opponent’s penalty area.
His first goal in the 19th minute was a product of beautiful interplay between himself, Johnny Rodriguez, and Camden Riley.
In the buildup, Riley won possession off of two defenders, dribbling into the penalty area before sending a cross to Rodriguez–taking the pass off of his chest before Mfeka skillfully settled the ball with his dominant left foot before sending a right-footed shot into the net.
His second in the 48th was a product of individual brilliance. It began with Justin Rasmussen sending a long ball from a free kick in Oakland’s half, Trayvone Reid retrieved the second ball on the volley, sending a pass into the pass of Mfeka. The South African nearly collided with Johnny, who took one touch before Lindo took back the reins, dribbling into the box before unloading a left-footed shot.
It resulted in Lindo’s second goal and Johnny’s second assist. Glinton had high praise of the veteran.
“It’s good to get him going, we’ve finally been able to build up his minutes here and there. Tonight, he was electric; the goal, the opportunities, what he brings to the team, and how he brings people together. He has some special stuff, when Lindo’s clicking, we’re a bit of a different team. It’s good to get him going,” Glinton said.
Stacking performances
Saturday become Roots’ second straight win and fourth victory in five matches, easily playing their best soccer of the season thus far. Glinton has already achieved several accomplishments since taking the reins, including ending streaks without a clean sheet or consecutive wins while claiming the club’s first win over bitter rival and Western Conference power Sacramento since 2021.
But perhaps the biggest feather in Gavin’s cap is how the roster has visually responded to his leadership.
“There’s always the initial part with working through some of the kinks, but I couldn’t be happier with how they’ve responded,” Glinton said. “I’ve asked a lot from them, we’ve mentioned that quite a bit. I think in all facets, they’ve come through and continue to come through. I continue to challenge them and you see it starting to become consistent, but all credit to them.”
It was a result that required a full team performance. Both center backs, Neveal Hackshaw and Gagi Margvelashvili, were heavily productive when pressing to force situations. Hackshaw had 15 defensive actions with five recoveries and won nine duels while Gagi had six defensive actions, one interception, two recoveries, and won three duels.
Although he didn’t wind up on the scoresheet, Trayvone Reid drew the penalty kick by making a mockery of Jonathan Ricketts. Cedeño scored in his second straight game, marking his third goal to tie Johnny for the team-lead.
“All the guys coming in,” Glinton said. “The characteristics, the hold-up play in behind, I don’t think there was a bad performance from anyone tonight.
“We’re just taking it one day at a time. I think the guys are happy, they’ve been putting in the effort. Obviously, tonight’s match was against a very, very good team. Even at 3-0, we’re still holding our breath and making sure that we’re able to see it out. I have no words but praise for the effort they put in on both sides of the ball–the culture, the attitude, the attention to detail.”
Camden Riley
Camden Riley has been an instant-impact since stepping into Glinton’s midfield. Oakland’s first goal likely wouldn’t happen without him. John Morrissey highlighted his play on Saturday night.
He’s proven to be a fire-starter in attack, as well as providing defensive support after originally being signed to play Noah Delgado’s right-side center back in his three CB rotation. It didn’t show up in the stat sheet, but Riley’s long pass to Reid enabled his penalty kick-drawing dribble and he’s been a consistent factor in changing possession in favor of Oakland.
Camden finished with five defensive actions, six recoveries, won two duels, completed seven passes into the final third, and finished the night with 43 total touches.
Away support
It wasn’t just a win on the field for Oakland Roots against Sacramento Republic, but in the stands as well. Section 111 was a party all night, culminating in a historic first-win in Sacramento for the club.
Roots’ support rolled up the I-80 with over 100 fans, bringing the noise for all 90 minutes. Local Sacramento broadcasters took notice as well, calling out an unusually quiet Tower Bridge Battalion.
“The Oakland supporter group in Section 111 are going crazy, they are feeling good about tonight. Meanwhile, our supporter section remains silent. For no reason, or maybe there’s a reason, they’re not saying so. A bit disappointing to say the least in a rivalry game that you just sit on your hands for the entire night.”
More opportunities ahead
Oakland’s win over Sacramento was the start of a critical week to put itself ahead in the Western Conference. Roots welcome last-place El Paso on Wednesday night at Pioneer Stadium, while they travel to Monterey Bay on Saturday in what would help keep MBFC below them in the standings.
Roots’ 20 points is currently equal with fifth-place Colorado Springs and fourth Phoenix, but Oakland trails both teams in head-to-head results after losing to both sides in the opening meetings. COS is set to face Las Vegas on Tuesday and first-place New Mexico on Saturday. Phoenix will face Charleston on Saturday. Third-place Memphis has 21 points and has a favorable match against Las Vegas on Saturday.
Should Oakland continue its winning-ways against El Paso, it would start its first three-game winning streak since mid-July of last year. A four-game streak with wins over El Paso and Monterey would be the first of its kind, marking a franchise record.
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