Oakland Roots initial roster for the 2025 season was announced, marking the official start to the organization’s roster build this offseason.
Roots welcomed back 15 total players from last year’s squad in addition to signing Kai Greene from Monterey. Below is a current list of how the roster is shaping up.
Goal Keepers (1): Tim Syrel.
Center Backs (3): Kai Greene, Neveal Hackshaw, Gagi Margvelashvili.
Outside Backs (3): Ilya Alekseev, Baboucarr Njie, Justin Rasmussen.
Midfielders: (3): Rafael Baca, Daniel Gomez, Camden Riley.
Forwards (6): Miche-Naider Chéry, Etsgar Cruz, Dom Dwyer, Wolfgang Prentice, Johnny Rodriguez, José Luis Sinisterra.
The largest change appears to be at goal keeper with Paul Blanchette being out of a contract. Blanchette is still negotiating a contract is still a possibility, but it will be interesting to see if a free-agent like former San Antonio FC keeper Kendall McIntosh, who is a local from Oakland, is also an option.
Following the departure of Memo Diaz at right back, Roots are primed for a marquee addition at the position with Ilya Alekseev performing as the primary backup, once again. Wolfgang Prentice gained time at the outside back role in previous years, but being listed as a forward indicates he was playing out of position.
Left back appears set with Justin Rasmussen and Baboucarr Njie, who both have experience moving higher up the field to the left wing spot. Both Njie and Rasmussen give Gavin Glinton some formational flexibility between the 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1, so it will be interesting to see what type of right back is brought into the fold.
Although Njie and Rasmussen can move into left wing, that area seems primed for a significant signing following the departure of Trayvone Reid. As for the opposite right wing spot, José Luis Sinisterra’s return gives them one less starting role to worry about. It will be interesting to see how Sinisterra can take a step up with a full offseason under Glinton.
It’s also worth mentioning that departures of Irakoze Donasiyano, Lindo Mfeka, and Jeciel Cedeno opens up a possible need for a Central Attacking Midfielder. Although Danny Gomez suited up at the CAM spot, he fits more of Glinton’s central midfield role. Ali Elmasnaouy can play the CAM role and perhaps he can continue taking steps with his development, but its hard to glue him in as a starter.
Rafael Baca likely suits up as a sure-fire starter at central midfield, while Camden Riley provides versatility as a CDM, CM and CB. Whether Roots pursue another central midfielder likely depends on where Riley plays on a regular basis. People at the club view Gomez in high regard and he’ll have a chance to lock down a consistent spot, once again, but the position could still be shored up. If Roots look to promote from Project 51O, Roberto González is 22-years-old and showed a lot of promise as the academy’s leading scorer in its UPSL season despite playing the CM role.
Neveal Hackshaw and Gagi Margvelashvili return at center back while Kai Greene returns to the fold after Niall Logue’s departure. Riley’s versatility also means Roots will have their options at the position should injuries occur. Rasmussen was also initially signed as a center back in 2024, but appeared better suited on the wing. Filling in the back end from 51O, like with Thomas Camier, appears the most likely scenario.
At striker, Johnny Rodriguez returns as the incumbent starter after bagging 12 goals in back-to-back years and earned a multi-year deal, which means he’s likely tied through the 2026 season and will have a club-option for 2027. Dom Dwyer returns on his current contract as well, giving Oakland its veteran scoring threat as a spot-starter and option off of the bench. Despite struggling to see the field with just 452 minutes and one goal, Dwyer will benefit from a full preseason training regimen and time with Glinton to execute his system.
Miche-Naider Chéry returns on his current contract and will likely continue as a backup. If Roots bring in another center forward or find time for academy striker Luis Saldaña, it could make sense for Chéry to take a loan spell elsewhere to gain more consistent playing time.