Welp, Oakland Roots’ 5-2 loss to Sacramento marked its second defeat in a row by conceding five goals–which are both the most goals the club has allowed in its history. The result brings Oakland’s record to 9-2-10, dropping them to third.
Oakland trailed 3-nil by halftime after conceding goals in the fifth, 27th, and 45th minutes. Sacramento extended the gap to 4-0 just seconds after halftime in the 46th.
Johnny Rodriguez found some solace with a pair of second half goals at 56′ and 71′ to make it 4-2. But it was all for not with Sacramento putting the game away with a fifth goal at 85′.
Here are some initial takeaways.
Postgame presser
Initial Takeaways
- Just a terribad day all around
10 goals allowed in two games was something no Roots fan could see coming after one of the best stretches in club history put Oakland up to second place. Now two games later with 10 goals allowed and it looks like Roots have tumbled back to earth.
Gavin Glinton had some choice words for the effort he witnessed.
“Nowhere near an acceptable level of effort,” Glinton said… “It’s a derby game and one team realized it a lot sooner.”
Making things worse, the game wasn’t even played on national television as originally planned due to Biden’s press conference. It was a historic day ending in the most unhistoric of ways.
The only redeeming quality was an amazing tailgate by Roots’ supporters and turnout for the game.
- Notable changes
There were some notable changes today, including Tim Syrel in at GK, Trayvone Reid at LW, and Cedeño at RW. It was a change after Glinton opted for an attack of Johnny and Chéry. It’s unfair to say it played a factor in the result, but it’s something to watch going forward.
“Syrel earned himself the right to get this chance,” Glinton said.
Camden Riley made another start at CB, but moved up to CM in the second half. Glinton has proved he likes to move him around.
“Riley has the ability to do both. We need to protect our CBs and circulate the ball. He does what we need of him in either role,” Glinton said.
Glinton also said he likes what he’s seeing from Danny Gomez at CM.
“Danny Gomez’s consistency is apparent in training. It’s been a big boost for us to have him cement himself in the first team. Credit to him. He’s doing the right things in training.”
- Western Conference uncomfortably close.
Today was an opportunity for Roots to create some separation with the rest of the Western Conference table. However, Oakland still remains just three points over 8th place Monterey Bay. It creates a critical tone going into its away match at Miami next Saturday.
Glinton refused to elaborate on the two week break after the Miami game and what it means for Roots, but its arguably now a must-win game.
Starting Lineup
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
It’s a surprise start for Tim Syrel in goal with Blanchette on the subs list. It’s a similar attack to the 3-2 win over Sac with Reid and Cedeño on the wings, Lindo at CAM, and Johnny up top. Gomez and Napo make up the midfield, while it’s Hackshaw and Riley are CB once again. At fullback is the usual starting combination of Rasmussen and Diaz.
- Sac Republic Starting 11
Timeline
GAME TIME!!! Can Oakland Roots make it two-for-two against Sacramento this season?
Ivan – kickoff
Syrel gets the start over Blanchette for this big game, arguably the biggest of the season. A good performance for him here could go a long way for what could be a big goalkeeper battle.
Ivan – 3′
Syrel’s first touch comes with the help of Hackshaw shielding the ball, allowing Syrel to intervene and play it out the back to Riley. A good sign to start things off.
Sac goal – 5′
Giveaway leads to a counter attack by Phillips. Too easy of a start.
Ivan – 5’
I may have jinxed the Roots with that last comment. Diaz’s misplaced pass was pounced on by the Republic and Phillips is a clinical finisher. The loanee from Huddersfield Town slots it past Syrel’s left.
Diving save Syrel – 13′
Sac corner – 13′
Header wide
Ivan – 13’
Camden Riley restoring that feeling of defensive solidity with a perfectly timed tackle on Viader in midfield.
Ivan – 14’
Following the corner where Syrel made a big save, Luis Felipe’s header was very close to causing trouble for the Roots.
Sac long free kick – 16′
Roots free kick – 17′
Hackshaw header central, claimed by Vitiello
Ivan – 19’
Hackshaw gets a header but it loops too high and it’s an easy catch for Vitiello
Ivan – 25’
Johnny Rodriguez offering a slight spark to an otherwise uninspiring offense so far and now he’s drawing double teams.
Sac free kick – 27′
Ball in headed centrally, free header goal. Oakland has allowed seven goals unanswered now.
Ivan – 27’
Wiedt heads home the second goal for Republic. What could’ve been an epic bounce back game is turning into more of the same from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds game.
Roots free kick – 30
Ball in by Memo cleared
Yellow on Johnny – 31′
Another near giveaway. Hackshaw blocked a shot – 33′
Ivan – 33’
Weidt gets the first yellow card for Sacramento off of a crunching challenge on Gomez
Ivan – 35’
Memo Diaz has been struggling on both ends. His cross was easily caught by Vitiello and nowhere near a Roots target.
Roots free kick good area – 37′
About 6-7 yards above area on right side. Yellow on Felipe
Hackshaw header hits the crossbar, but he’s called offside anyways.
Sac header wide – 41′
Sac goal – 45′
Another giveaway, this time Nick Ross puts it away. Another day where Roots have just not been able to figure out anything.
Ivan – 45’
Nick Ross 3-0. This is officially ugly.
Sac shot high – stoppage
First half notes:
Oakland Roots, evidently, haven’t gotten back from Pittsburgh. It’s 3-nil, 8 unanswered goals allowed, and have not recorded a single shot. Sac with 7 shots, 3 on target, converted all its big chances. It’s bad.
Ivan:
After 3 minutes of added time, the first half mercifully comes to a close. I can’t pinpoint one thing that’s the cause of the Roots issues. It’s just in the span of 2 games they’ve reverted back to their old form earlier in the season. But maybe that’s the real version of this team.
Dwyer and Gagi on at half
It’s 4-nil lmao – 46′
ROOTS GOAL – 56′
nice interplay in the area. Dwyer to Memo to Johnny for the goal. It was Oakland’s second shot, first shot on target
Ivan – 56’
Who else but Rodriguez to put Oakland on the board and end the goal drought! Diaz provided the assist. It’s likely too little too late but it’s something.
Lindo shot on target – 60′
Ivan – 60’
Everyone can sense a momentum change and Mfeka’s shot is fumbled by Vitiello. There might be something there for Oakland but it’ll take a miraculous effort in this final half hour.
Ivan – 64’
The inconsistent adventures of Njie continues as one minute he’s holding off two or three defenders and then the next he delivers a questionable, bowling ball speed cross field pass that kills the momentum of the attack.
Sac corner – 68′
Dwyer slot shot on target – 70′
ROOTS GOAL – 71′
Beautiful long ball to Johnny, who chips it over Vitiello. It’s 4-2 with 19 minutes left.
Ivan – 70’
Rodriguez chips it past Vitiello to make it 4-2! The Roots arrived late at this game but they’re really going for it now! I hope this carries over into their next game on the road in Miami, but there’s still some unfinished business left here today!
Chery on – 77′
Ivan – 75’
Bryan Tamacas is on for Memo Diaz. Diaz grew into the game and was much improved in the second half. Hope Tamacas can play a role in a memorable finish!
Ivan – 79’
A lengthy spell of Roots possession ends with a tepid cross straight into Vitiello’s hands. Time is running out to salvage anything.
Sac scores its fifth. Wide open shot with Roots putting numbers forward – 85′
Ivan – 84’
There was a Sacramento challenge inside their box that looked like it warranted a penalty but nothing given. On the other end, Trevor Amann was left wide open and slotted the ball past Syrel. 5-2, game over.
Tamacas header high – stoppage
The idea of keeping Blanchette on the bench for the Derby is a head scratcher, but I guess the idea is if 5 get passed you, like in PA, youre benched? Well, looks like Syrel will be back on the pine, then.
I was only live, so didnt see any replays, but Id put him up for (at least) two of the goals we conceded. Everyone around me was like “Blanchette woulda got that”