A rollercoaster ride of emotions and momentum swings, not unlike those associated with playoff soccer, ended with both Oakland Roots and Memphis 901 FC still holding a home playoff position splitting the points in a 1-1 draw.
Two themes emerged from this game: one from how the teams lined up and the other from how the game progressed. The lineup theme was Memphis 901’s attack, fresh off a 2-0 win against Tulsa, posing a tough challenge for the Root’s strength in their defense. Considering the only goal conceded was a stunner from Panos Armenakas, the defense more or less did fine in that aspect.
The other theme was inconsistent play from Roots. At times, the attacking press was flying and forced Memphis into a lot of bad passes. As the game progressed, the Roots would constantly force difficult passes.
Baboucarr Njie, the goal scorer, was emblematic of this trend. He has all of the talent and skills to be one of the best players in this league, but made some questionable decisions in the passing and build up play. Even normally reliable players such as Camden Riley, who rotated to the back line with Hackshaw out, caused turnovers that led to counter attacking chances.
The most consistent player proved to be Paul Blanchette, having one of his best games this season with a big save in both halves. In the 39th’ minute, Blanchette stopped and held a shot in a 2 v 1 scenario that could’ve killed the game from Memphis’ perspective. Then in the 78th minute shortly after Roots scored their goal, he makes a diving outstretched save to his left to deny Zach Duncan shot, arguably Memphis’ best chance of the half.
For that contribution, Paul the Wall is my Man of the Match.
Memphis scored in the first half where Oakland was pressing them effectively, and alternatively, Roots responded in the half where Memphis began on the front foot. If all goes according to plan, both of these clubs could be hosting a playoff game in a few months. In any case, we got a preview and a reminder of what playoff soccer feels like.
When things don’t go your way, can you weather the storm to get a result over the line? That’s what the Roots accomplished.
In the top 6 picture of the Western Conference, New Mexico United kept their buffer with a 1-0 win in Colorado Springs, holding seven points over second-place Sacramento. Las Vegas Lights won 3-2 over Indy Eleven and Sacramento edged out a 1-0 victory over San Antonio. These results mean 4th place Oakland Roots remains two points behind Memphis 901 albeit with a game in hand, two points ahead of 5th place Las Vegas Lights, and five points ahead of the Switchbacks (with a game in hand on Oakland).
It doesn’t get any easier next Saturday as the Roots host New Mexico United at 3 pm and there’s a chase pack hunting them down for that right to host a playoff game. Oakland Roots have drawn two games in a row after going three months since their last draw against San Antonio FC, but still haven’t lost since July 21 against Sac.
Given the adversity faced in their last two matches, they feel like points earned rather than dropped, but that feeling will shift if they go much longer without a +3.
Match Facts
Lineups
(Gavin Glinton 5-4-1): Paul Blanchette; Memo Diaz, Gagi Margvelashvili, Camden Riley, Niall Logue, Justin Rasmussen; Trayvone Reid, Danny Gomez, Irakoze Donasiyano, Boubacar Njie; Miche-Naider Chery
Subs
71′ Napo Matsoso (Reid)
71′ Johnny Rodriguez (Chery)
82′ Ali Elmasnaouy (Njie)
90′ Etsgar Cruz (Donasiyano)
Unused Bench: GK Timothy Syrel, DF Thomas Camier, MF Ilya Alekseev
Note: Neveal Hackshaw was suspended due to his red card from the Rhode Island draw last time out.
Stephen Glass (4-2-3-1): Triston Henry; Alvaro Quezada, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Lucas Turci, Akeem Ward; Samuel Careaga, Zachary Duncan; Noe Meza, Bruno Lapa, Panagiotis Armenakas; Marlon
74′ Triston Paul (Meza), Dylan Borczak (Armenakas)
86′ Nighte Pickering (Marlon)
Unused Bench: GK Tyler Deric, DF Oscar Jimenez, DF Walid Yacoubou, FW Jon Bakero