Oakland Roots walk away from the night with a point after tying 1-1 with Memphis 901 follow a first half deficit. It keeps Oakland on fourth place and Memphis above them in third, building toward another critical match hosting New Mexico next Saturday.
Although Oakland had a productive opening half hour and generated a big chance from Trayvone Reid, Memphis struck first with an absolute gem of a shot by Panos Armenakas in the 32nd.
But Oakland struck back in the 61st following a corner, where Memo Diaz sent a perfect cross to Baboucarr Njie charging toward net for a leaping header goal.
Roots look ahead to August 31 hosting No. 1 Western Conference side, New Mexico, which beat Colorado Springs 1-0 to increase its lead to nine points over second place.
Postgame Press Conference
RootsBlog Man of the Match – Memo Diaz
We name Memo Diaz our RootsBlog Man of the Match for sending the corner kick to Njie for the tying goal. It was another pinpoint precise pass from Memo, which we’ve become accustomed to.
It marked Diaz’s sixth assist of the season, creating a new career high.
Initial Takeaways
- Roots take a point, unbeaten since July 21
Oakland Roots comeback in a 1-1 draw with third place Memphis, marking its second straight draw. Roots have now tied two matches in a row, but it stretches their unbeaten run since the July 21 loss to Sacramento to four matches. Oakland looked productive in the first 30 minutes before conceding the goal to Armenakas, then had to build back in the second half.
“We didn’t make too many adjustments, actually,” Glinton said. “The goal came and they almost got a second. Paul made a great save when they beat the offside trap. I thought we started well and then it got away a little bit. When we talked at halftime, we just said we need to clean up some things and the goal will come. The productivity didn’t come as much as we’d like, we haven’t been clean with the ball, to be honest, especially over the past two games. But, another point, a good draw against a good team. We’re disappointed not to come away with three, but I don’t know if we played well enough to earn three.”
Glinton commented on the positivity of taking points against good competition despite not playing their best, but knows they need to clean some things up.
“We need to be better when we win the ball. We’ve seen the last two games, we’ve completed like two passes. I’m joking, obviously, but it hasn’t near enough, we just haven’t been executing. And, to be fair, when you’re not executing like that and you’re still coming out with draws against good teams, that’s something to hang your hat on. When you don’t play well and you’re able to get points, that’s not the worst,” Glinton said.
- Playing shorthanded
Oakland had a hampered lineup without several key starters. Neveal Hackshaw was out with a red card suspension, Bryan Tamacas suffered and injury in the last game, while Johnny Rodriguez missed most of the game after picking up a slight knock.
“We had some late knocks, quite a few late injuries actually. It forced us to make rotation, it’s always the next-man-up mentality. There were some late scratches and some situations we’re just being conscious with,” Glinton said.
Glinton said the situation didn’t impact the gameplan.
“Our approach was no different,” Glinton said. “We made some changes, but the game plan was the same. We wanted to get out, attack them, and be dangerous in transition. The spaces we were trying to hit, Memphis was there. That being said, we’re happy to get a point with all of those changes.”
- No Dwyer for a third straight game.
Dom Dwyer was held out of the lineup for the third straight game, giving Roots fans some concern about what is going on.
Glinton explained in the postgame interview that Dwyer was dealing with an injury. Pressed on the plan with the veteran striker, the interim coach said they plan to have him back in the lineup when he’s available.
“We were actually managing a bit of a knock,” Glinton said. “The plan is to have him back in as soon as he’s healthy and available.”
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots Starting 11
Some changes to the lineup tonight, notably with Johnny Rodriguez unexpectedly being on the bench. Chéry starts up top with Reid on the left and Njie on the right, who has played on the right side previously. With Hackshaw out with a red card suspension, Camden Riley moves to the central CB role in the 3-4-3. Koze splits the midfield with Gomez, while Rasmussen and Memo split the WB roles. Logue at LCB and Gagi at RCB.
No Dwyer, Tamacas, or Sinisterra.
- Memphis 901 FC Starting 11
Timeline
Reid cross toward net, or a shot, not sure – 3′
901 long free kick – 5′
long ball claimed.
Yellow on 901 – 8′
on Turci
Roots free kick – 9′
Ball from distance, Chery missed it by 50 feet
Roots corner- 12′
Tray steal near touchline, shot saved – 15′
Chery shot on tsrget from distance, slow roller to keeper – 16′
made a nice move before it
901 shot trails high – 22′
Chéry play down by end line, cleared – 27′
Tray shot very wide after a nice run – 28′
901 corner – 30′
miscommunication between Logue and Paul.
901 goal – 32′
Armenakas with a beautiful curling shot from atop the box on the right side.
901 corner – 35′
cleared out. Memphis retains possession
901 free kick – 36′
out for a goal kick
Paul huuuuge stop in a 1-o-1 – 39′
901 gets way in behind. So much everyone thought it was offside, no call.
yellow on Memo – 43′
yellow on Chery – 45+1′
First half notes:
Roots have generated looks with 3 shots, 2 on target, and a big chance missed. However, Memphis’ worldie finish by Armenakas is what makes the difference. It’s been even otherwise with Memphis having 4 shots, 2 on target.
Roots corner – 47′
Jack – 50′
Visible frustration between Reid and Chery as the Jamaican expects the striker to make a forward run. Roots struggling to break their own half.
yellow on gagi – 51′
901 shot in target on counter – 53′
Gomez slow to get up – 53′
Paul another save diving to his right – 55′
Dangerous longball to Reid, GK hops on it- 58′
Roots free kick good area – 59′
On right side a couple of feet outside the area.
Njie ball in headed out for a corner
Roots corner – 60′
MEMO BALL IN FINDS NJIE FOR THE HEADER GOAL- 61
Roots free kick – 66′
good area on left side about 6 yards outside. Shot jussssst goes wide, believe it was Riley
Johnny on for Chéry- 70′
Napo on for Reid
901 corner – 72′
901 shot narrowly wide – 78′
901 corner – 79′
Ball skips around box, cleared out
901 corner – 81′
Elmasnaouy on for Njie – 82′
901 free kick – 87′
Good area for a dangerous pass.
easy claim
901 free kick – 89′
Good area, cleared
Etsgar coming on
901 corner- 90+2′
easy claim
soft yellow on Johnny, idiot red had his back turned- 90+3′
Etsgar on for Koze 90+4′
901 near giveaway, but Johnny can’t take advantage – 90+5′
Yellow on Riley – 90+5′
901 free kick edge of area on right side – 90+5′
punched away by Paul. Memphis retains
901 shot high – 90+9′
on volley