Falling 3-2 to Monterey Bay FC at Cardinale Stadium, Oakland Roots have put itself in a precarious position now 0-0-2 to open up its 2025 campaign. Roots bagged nice goals by Camden Riley and Jose Luis Sinisterra, but have now conceded seven goals through the first first two weeks.
Oakland got on the board first right before halftime in the 45th minute when Sinisterra played a perfect cross from a free kick to Camden Riley for a header. Roots went into the half with four shots with two on target, but could only muster two more shot attempts in the remaining 45 minutes.
Monterey scored its three goals in the span of 13 minutes. They tied in the 56th minute when Malaye Malango launched a curling shot inside the box, went ahead in the 65th via a converted penalty by Ilijah Paul, then made it 3-1 in the 69th when Anton Søjberg put away a free header following a turnover in their own half.
Sinisterra scored Oakland’s final goal in the 71st after Peter Wilson skillfully laid off a ball inside the box. Monterey’s Joel Garcia was red carded in the 83rd minute, but Roots never challenged the net after that point.
Here are our top-10 Roots player ratings from the match:
Jose Luis Sinisterra, 8.5
Sinisterra continues to show glimpses of his quality with a goal and assist. He sent a right-footed cross to Riley for the opening goal and then did well to finish his goal on a left-footed shot in the box. He showed great footwork, technical ability, can reel in passes with nice touch, and can finish in critical opportunities.
He finished with three shots, completed four passes into the final third, two crosses, one long ball, created one scoring chance, took two touches inside the box, and finished with 33 total touches.
Panos Armenakas, 7.5
Armenakas continues to be heavily involved in the operation, finishing with 43 total touches. Although FotMob didn’t credit him for any created chances, he had the hockey assist on Roots’ second goal when playing a pass to Wilson. He also drew the foul which led to Sinisterra’s assist to Riley. He won six duels on the night and won four fouls.
Peter Wilson, 7
It was a small sample size and our rating may be generous, but it was an encouraging start for the Liberian/Swedish striker. His assist to Sinisterra required quick thinking and his five touches in 23 minutes may be emblematic of the type of player he is. Wilson can push the back line, put himself in good positions, and produce with limited action.
Camden Riley, 6.8
Riley’s goal was a well-taken header and hopefully a sign of more productivity from set pieces to come. His stats were encouraging with one created chance, won two tackles, and won four duels. My only hangup is Riley seems better suited as a central midfielder. He slipped prior to Malango’s goal, which was similar to OC’s first goal where Cam was the widest defender. As a right back, he completed 1/5 long balls. I’d like to see Riley return to the midfield, where he made his most noise in 2024. For that, he gets a tick lower than a seven.
Wolfgang Prentice, 6.5
Wolfgang didn’t find the scoresheet this time but seems deserving of the left-winger role. He finished with one created chance, won five duels, and completed two passes into the final third, but took just one touch inside the box. Still, Prentice is starting the 2025 season with a good base to work from.
EJ Johnson, 6
EJ took Roots’ first shot of the game in the first half, while his other attempt was blocked. In 63 minutes, he won seven duels, drew four fouls, and took 24 touches.
Justin Rasmussen, 6
Rasmussen was back to his natural left-back spot after playing in the wing against OC. He led the team with 10 completed passes into the final third while winning 2/2 tackles and three duels on the night.
Tyler Gibson, 6
Gibson has looked like Roots’ best midfielder through the first two games. He played the full 90 minutes, completing two passes into the final third and three long balls.
Danny Gomez, 6
Gomez gets a six as well after creating one scoring chance, along with eight passes into the final third. He completed two long balls.
Ilya Alekseev, 6
Ilya makes the list after entering as a winger, showing his versatility despite being a teenager. In 15 minutes, he completed 4/4 passes and one pass into the final third. He lost all four of his duels, showing he may be better off as a fullback.