Oof. Welp, that may have been the most difficult to watch Oakland Roots performance ever. Losing 5-nil to the hosting Pittsburgh Riverhounds, it marked the most one-sided loss in club history.
No one saw this one coming from Roots after rolling into 11th place Pittsburgh in 2nd following its win over Louisville. It was lackluster from the start for Oakland and it looked like they came into the match without any energy. Roots finished with an anemic 2 shots with none on target, generating one corner.
The floodgates never closed; Junior Etou’s opener in the 12th came on an assist by Bradley Sample, who was fed by Robbie Mertz after retrieving a ball. Then, Mertz converted a penalty kick 18 minutes later after Bryan Tamacas was called for a sloppy handball. Sean Suber then made it 3-nil right before halftime in the 45th minute on a header goal.
Pittsburgh dug the dagger deeper just 7 minutes into the second half, this time on a header by Kenardo Forbes. Etou scored his second in the 69th in perhaps the most ugly of fashion for Roots; where Paul Blanchette stumbled following a shot at his feet and fumbled the ball, allowing Etou to tap it in.
Here are a few initial takeaways.
Initial Takeaways
- The energy was never there
Pittsburgh’s opening goal by Etou was the epitome of Roots lack of energy on the night. It started with Mertz retrieving a desperation kick by Emmanuel Johnson. Mertz took a long dribble to the right side, then cut in between Hackshaw and Matsoso unchallenged. He squared a pass to Sample, who sent one more pass to Etou approaching the left post for an uncontested shot right in front of the net.
Oakland didn’t take its first shot attempt until the 57th minute when Trayvone Reid launched a free kick nearly 20 yards above the net. Roots’ only other attempt came in the 89th minute when Miche-Naider Chéry put one wide.
It was bleak from start to finish. Roots will have an extra day to rest and reflect before Sunday, July 21’s big game against Sacramento.
- A rough game from Bryan Tamacas
With Memo Diaz out, today felt like an opportunity for Bryan Tamacas to re-claim the starting right back role. That did not happen.
It was a rough performance from Tamacas. His handball helped propel the landslide, finishing with FotMob’s worst rating of a 4.6–playing all 90 minutes.
Diaz was given a rest day and not included on the team sheet. He was the presumptive No. 2 right back behind Tamacas to start the season and provided an option on the left side, but has emerged as the No. 1 right back. With Justin Rasmussen also unavailable, Oakland was without its current best two options.
Tamacas hasn’t quite lived up to his price tag, which is considered No. 2 on the team behind Dom Dwyer. FotMob ranks him No. 12 of 18 players for average game-rating in nearly 900 minutes of action. He’s created six scoring chances, ranking 10th of 20 players, falling behind people challenging him for time. Memo has generated a team-leading 31 chances and six big scoring chances, Njie has 12 and five big chances, while Rasmussen also has six.
Tamacas is still considered a key player and Roots should be expecting him to continue providing his stability as the season goes on. As the things winds down to its most critical stage, Tamacas will likely be needed for the playoff push despite not getting the desired productivity out of him.
It’s never good to clamor about player-movement, but its worth examining given Tamacas’ bill.
Given Roots’ position in the standings, it’s difficult to see any in-season departure of a key player given it would likely need to be a player-for-player trade. Oakland fans will remember Edgardo Rito was sent packing for Jeciel Cedeño in the early days of 2023. But the difference with Rito was he was exchanged for a more natural forward after being converted to a winger in Noah Delgado’s 3-4-3.
Transferring Tamacas would likely mean they target a different position, leaving a backup/semi-starting fullback role vacated. All that considered, it’s tough seeing something happening now, but its a contract situation to keep an eye on given Roots are getting better production out of cheaper options.
Still, Roots will need more goals/assists contributions out of Tamacas to continue pushing for playoff positioning.
- Rivalry week
As the pages of the season continue to turn, its now Derby week with a monumental national broadcast against Sacramento Republic set for Sunday, July 21 on a rare 1:00 PM kickoff.
It’ll be interesting to see who is available.
Will Memo Diaz return to the right back spot? Is Justin Rasmussen able to jump back into the lineup following his head injury? Will Gagi Margvelashvili get a nod at the center back spot, which would enable Camden Riley to play in the midfield.
Sacramento suits up with North Carolina tonight, giving them a chance to overtake Oakland. Roots fans will also keep a watchful eye on Colorado Springs vs. Louisville on July 19, the following day includes Memphis vs. Tulsa while Orange County could creep closer against San Antonio.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Oakland Roots’ starting 11 has some familiar faces and some people missing. Notably, Memo Diaz is not on the roster sheet nor was included in this week’s injury list, while Dom Dwyer was not brought on the trip as well. We’re told Diaz was given the game off to rest.
Aside from that, Miche-Naider Chéry starts up top once again, while Johnny Rodriguez starts on the left side with Lindo Mfeka at CAM and Jeciel Cedeño getting the nod at RW. Without Diaz, Baboucarr Njie starts at LB and Bryan Tamacas moves in at RB. At CB for the third straight game is Neveal Hackshaw and Camden Riley.
Keep an eye on the CB movement into the midfield and, of course, how Johnny operates as the schematic LW but natural center forward.
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME!!!! Can Oakland Roots stay hot on the road?
Pitt free kick – 5′
On left side, outside of penalty area.
Pitt goal – 12′
Very sloppy marking by Roots defense. Allows Mertz to retrieve the ball and dribbles freely by Napo and Hackshaw before squaring a pass to Sample, who sent it to the goal scorer at the left post. Too easy for Riverhounds, a long time to respond.
Zero shots through 20 minutes for Roots
a key today was to not concede early, welllllllllllp
Pitt free kick – 27′
On left side near sideline about 20 yards outside area. Ball lands on the floor but cleared out.
Handball on Tamacas – 29′
Riverhounds PK, drilled in by Mertz. Roots trail 2-nil
No shots in 40 minutes for Roots. Terrible execution today.
Roots corner – 40′
Pitt free kick -42′
Ball goes through the back
Pitt corner – 44′
Suber header goal
First half notes:
Down 3-nil to 11th place Pittsburgh is just about as bad as things could’ve possibly gone. Roots generated 0 shots witg 64 percent possession and generally looked disjointed in all phases. Might be Tamacas’ worst game in a Roots uniform.
Lindo came off for Koze
Pitt goal – 52′
The blowout continues. Welp. It’s shaping up to be a historic loss
Logue and Cruz on for Hackshaw and Lindo
Roots free kick – 57′
Reid takes a shot that was 20 yards above net. It was Oakland’s first shot
Roots free kick- 61′
On edge of box on right, Babou shot/cross is saved
Roots free kick – 66′
Pitt shot on target – 68′
Gagi on. First appearance since the Sac win
Pitt scores a fifth –
Shot fumbled by Paul, Etou puts it away. Marks biggest loss in club history
Pitt corner -80′
Pitt corner – 88′
Chery shot wide – 89′
First shot attempt from open play