Well, that wasn’t a productive start. Eight more months, no problem, right?
Oakland Roots fell 4-2 in its first match of the 2025 season to the hand of Orange County, giving up three second-half goals. It’s a result that painfully brought memories of last season’s disastrous losses.
OC got the game’s first goal in the 28th minute when Ryan Doghman cleaned up a rebound opportunity after a diving save by Kendall McIntosh. Then just two minutes out of halftime, Ethan Zubak unleashed a beautiful shot from on top of the box on the right side.
Five minutes later before the smoke could even clear, OC struck again with another golazo to make it 3-nil. This time, Nico Benalcazar bent a free kick above Oakland’s wall of defenders to the left post past Kendall McIntosh’s outstretched dive.
Roots pulled one back in the 71st when Panos Armenakas played Wolfgang Prentice through. It was an impressive goal from Wolfgang, who took one touch to free himself up before sending in a well-placed shot. But Oakland’s joy wasn’t for long when Kyle Scott at the end of some good interplay at 90+1′.
Roots got a consolation goal at 90+4′ with a penalty kick after EJ Johnson was pulled down in the box. After some debate, Baboucarr Njie took the spot try, rolling one in to the left.
Here are some talking points coming out of the night.
Talking Points
- The starting lineup
Roots’ initial lineup didn’t give fans much hope from the get-go. It must be a testament to multiple players still getting in game shape and integrated into the system.
Ali Elmasnaouy started in the midfield, moving Panos Armenakas to what seemed like the striker role. EJ Johnson opened on the bench, while Peter Wilson didn’t make the trip.
Oakland’s #9 seemed to fluidly change, especially before Johnson’s inclusion in the second half. There were times that Panos, Justin Rasmussen, and Jose Luis Sinisterra looked like the center forward.
Recently named vice captain Neveal Hackshaw also did not make the trip. It caused Camden Riley to move into the back line opposite of Kai Greene. Recent signee Julian Bravo wasn’t involved either.
Perhaps that means we’ll see a largely different group for Week 2 at Monterey. But as a result of all the shuffling around, Oakland struggled tonight.
- Leaking goals all too familiar
It was almost a copy/paste type of match from last year. Roots came conceding one goal away from ruining my prediction of no more five-goal losses for 2025.
Perhaps that can be credited to the lineup decisions, but Oakland never seemed to be able to get the game under control. OC found advantageous positions all night, forcing McIntosh to make similar acrobatic saves to what Roots saw from Paul Blanchette.
A goal of Glinton has to be tightening the leaky faucet that plagued 2024.
- Encouraging sample of EJ Johnson & Wolfgang Prentice
EJ Johnson entered in the 56th minute and had some good moments, like winning Oakland’s penalty goal. He won five duels on the night and took two touches in the area.
Where he stood out most was showing his speed. He’s big and imposing, I’m curious to see how he can make an impact.
As for Wolfgang Prentice, he scored Oakland’s first goal of the season after making a slick run in behind. It was a product of stellar decisiveness and finishing–freeing himself up with a nifty touch inside the box to cut back inside for his shot.
- La Union showed out
One thing has been true since Roots’ inception, the fans remain undefeated.
Members of nearly all Roots’ supporters groups traveled out to Orange County, chearing on their team through the pain. They were loud for all 90 minutes; the only part of the film I’m looking forward to re-watching is listening to how the SGs sounded.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Some surprises, like Elmasnaouy getting the opening night start and EJ Johnson on the bench. No Damm or Hackshaw either. Curious to see how the lineup looks with Njie in and where the chances come from.
Google and FotMob have Roots in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
- Orange County
Timeline
Hello 2025! Be nice to us!
Rasmussen at LW, Njie at LB. CBs are Riley at CB. Looks like Panos is the #9, Elmasnaouy looks like the #10.
it’s a 4-2-3-1.
OC free kick – 2′
Header high
Yellow to Gibson – 3′
Roots corner – 5′
Sinisterra to Abdi, header high
OC corner – 8′
play short, long shot wide.
Big leaping save McIntosh – 12′
good chance in front, OC scuffs the shot
Sinisterra shot blocked-14′
a good move in transition but things died put.
OC shot very wide – 17′
OC shot blocked in front – 18′
Sinisterra skies a shot – 22′
OC goal- 28′
Roots stretched in transition. Dunbar with a good move around Riley to set up a pass. McIntosh initially saves an attempt, then cleaned up by Doghman for the tap in.
Sinisterra shot high – 31′
Gavin yellowed – 36′
Roots corner – 41′
Ball falls in the area, looks like a shot by Abdi was blocked
First half notes:
Bit of a sloppy half from Roots, disjointed in the buildup. OC really dominating possession with 65 percent of the ball, 2 shots on target and 2 big scoring chances. Oakland with 4 shots, nothing challenging the net. Really fluid motion for the #9 role, have seen Rasmussen there for example.
Looks like no changes for Roots at the half
Cameron Dunbar golazo for OC – 47′
McIntosh big diving save – 48′
this is looking bad
OC corner – 49′
OC free kick in dangerous area – 52′
shot goes over the wall and in, it’s 3-nil. Oof.
EJ and Wolfgang coming on – 56′
Roots free kick – 58′
easy clearance
EJ yellowed – 59′
Gomez yellowed – 62′
Another big save McIntosh – 65′
close distance, stops a header.
Roots free kick – 68′
Good area. Panos and Sinisterra lining up over it. Panos ball doesn’t clear first man
WOLFGANG BEAUTIFUL WORK – 71′
Gets played through, takes a touch to the inside and slots a great goal in. Roots first goal of the season
Free kick good area – 75′
Panos ball in cleared out
Ilya on for Sinisterra- 75′
Roots corner – 79′
leads to nothing
Roots free kick – 82′
Roots corner – 86′
Riley flicks toward net
Gagi and Saldaña coming on – 89′
Roots corner – 89′
Orange County scores a fourth – 90+1′
more good work by OC, just a dominant night. Roots didn’t come to play
Roots get a PK – 90+2′
Babou takes and slots it into the left, it’s 4-2 – 90+3′
OC corner – 90+5