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Disaster strikes again for Oakland Roots in 3-nil loss to Rhode Island

Jonathan Comeaux

Oakland Roots’ leaky defense struck again, this time in a disastrous 3-nil loss to Rhode Island under a sunny Saturday sky. The result brings Roots’ record to 0-1-4 while allowing RIFC’s first win of the season and to out-do its goal total by one before the match.

After a somewhat productive opening 25 minutes, the flood gates opened for Rhode Island–scoring its goals within minutes of each other. The worst result of this young season, and it was matched with an equally bad performance. At this point, confidence within this side is hindered and there’s no clear solution in sight.

Rhode Island struck first in the 40th minute when Kwizera dispossessed Abdi Mohamed way too easily, whipped the ball in to Albert Dikwa to score in point blank range. Two minutes later, Kendall McIntosh turned away a log shot, but it fell opportunly to Clay Holstad for a thunderous strike. Then, at 45+5′, McIntosh was caught off his line as JJ Williams got the ball past him onrushing, and once he won that battle, he had an empty net to dribble towards and poke it home.

It was a beautiful day at the Coliseum, but a series of mistakes at the end of the second half and a lack of intensity through long stretches cost the Roots the opportunity to add to their solitary point this season.

Talking Points

Credit: Oakland Roots SC

Oakland Roots actually started the first half with some positivity. Peter Wilson had a shot deflected out for a corner in the 2nd minute, then had a header on target in the 14th minute, while Wolfgang Prentice nearly chipped Koke Vegas in close distance four minutes later. However, that was the last of Oakland’s clear chances throughout the day and they struggled from that point on.

“There’s no sugar coating this; this is an unacceptable lack of responsibility. We had a game plan, and the few moments where we executed it, we created chances and got in behind. For some reason, we decided to take six touches and pass it to the guy right next to us so we could get ourselves in trouble,” Glinton said.

Glinton’s comments have been echoed through the early portion of the season back to last year. For another match, Glinton talked about the lack of effort he’s seeing.

“We’ve talked about our circulation speed, our ability to fight, and picking up second balls, but we were nowhere near them,” Glinton said. “We talked bout our rest defense positioning to stop the counterattacks. We got hit too many times because we didn’t feel like sprinting three seconds earlier, and we put ourselves in a bad position so we’re forced to recover. I’m tired of giving goals where we’ve got easy passes to make and we can break lines, but we want to take extra touches. I’m pissed.”

Glinton called their actions too “casual” in critical moments.

“There’s a casualness in important moments. Where we need to react quicker, we would rather jog two steps and then we’re chasing a play instead of being in control of it,” Glinton said. “

Roots finished with 56 percent of the ball after going into halftime in a 50-50 split, but only generated six shots with one on target. Oakland still has not generated double-digit shot attempts through five matches, while they still haven’t recorded more than three attempts on target.

“We wanted to get more possession, but it’s the type of possession that we need. It’s not guys standing on the ball, taking too many touches, and then sending a pass to the guy next to him to get blown up. We’ve talked about circulation with intent so we can create gaps to get forward. The preparation we need to go the little details isn’t happening on a consistent enough basis,” Glinton said.

After holding a clean sheet in its 0-0 tie with Las Vegas, today was a clear step back for Glinton.

“This is a terrible step backward with the strides we made from a defensive perspective. We didn’t want to give away what we put in last week. Maybe it’s asking too much at times, but I think the match plan is clear, and when you see guys being effective, it leads to us being in dangerous positions. But, for some reason, we don’t want to do the simple things that lead to success,” Glinton said.

Neveal Hackshaw thinks the team needs to be “more nasty.”

“I think we need to be more nasty,” Hackshaw said. “I got kicked like 2-3 times in the first minutes of the game. We need to be the same way; we need to be nasty when we don’t have the ball. It’s about being ruthless.”

It was another match where Oakland shot itself in the foot time and again, leading to all three first-half goals by Rhode Island. Mistakes creating easy goals for the opposition has something following Roots through the first five matches of the season.

“Unacceptable first half where we were in control of the goals we gave; overplaying in the back with plenty of time to play forward and we get picked. Second goal, same thing, and then individual defending errors. And the third one, a transition moment where we’re 3v1 with the goal keeper and we get beat to every ball,” Glinton said.

Roots’ confidence seemed to get rattled after Rhode Island’s first goal, leading to RIFC quickly putting the game away.

“I think there was frustration from a big let down because it was a poor goal to give away,” Glinton said. “We need to regroup and get back at it, these are the moments where a game is difficult. I thought after the goal, we stopped working. These are the moments where you have to stand up and be a footballer; there’s character and bravery to be strong on the ball. We’ve got to make sure we are tougher to play against, stand up, and take accountability.”

What can Roots credit to the lack of attention that’s plagued them since last season? When asked if Gavin has noticed something within the group, he responded that he didn’t want to ignore the effort he’s seen in the previous two games.

“To be fair, I thought we were good in a lot of moments through the last 180 minutes before today,” Glinton said. “I think it’s moments where we’re not doing the dirty work that needs to be done. At this level, small details can lead to big cracks and that happened in rapid succession. Again, I wouldn’t say it’s something that’s been consistent throughout these five games, but today was a huge letdown.”

Without the mistakes, it’d be interesting to see what Roots’ results would’ve looked like. Hackshaw doesn’t feel they’ve been outplayed in any of the five matches thus far, and the self-inflicted errors have killed them every time.

“I can say no team in these first five games have outplayed us. It’s always been little mistakes that hurt us. We’ve given away goals and we need to stop that as a team. We need to be more careful with the ball, play more positive passes, and be more confident and brave. That’s what hurt us,” Hackshaw said.

We’ve written about the jelling process after the last few matches. Today, Jurgen Damm and Julian Bravo received their first starts of the season, while Peter Wilson, Adbi Mohamed, Panos Armenakas, Kai Greene, and EJ Johnson continue to get premier minutes.

In today’s press conference, both Glinton and Neveal Hackshaw acknowledged how the team is still melding together.

“The group has been growing. We’re still getting players back in and together. It was Bobosi’s first match, Peter is continuing to get minutes, and Julian got his first start. We’re continuing to build, and sometimes these setbacks happen,” Glinton said.

“It’s a process. We have over 10 new players and we have to build the chemistry; it takes time. We played poorly; I’m not going to lie. We can do better as a team. I guarantee the results are going to change,” Hackshaw said.

Hackshaw pled to fans to give them patience and to understand that putting together results is no easy task when there are so many changes.

“The fans see the end result; that’s matchday. For us to jell as a team, it’s more about everyone being on board. Everyone needs to respect what the coaches say and not come into a game thinking they are the man. It’s a team sport and what the team wants instead of individual things,” Hackshaw saw.

Neveal Hackshaw appeared in the central midfield role for the first time this season, allowing Julian Bravo to start in his usual centerback spot opposite Kai Greene. Glinton was hoping that Hackshaw moving up would help their distribution.

“I think Hackshaw being in the midfield gives us an added option in our possession, distribution range, and ability to challenge in the midfield to pick up second balls. Julian as a centerback can do the job, as well as a left back,” Glinton said.

Hackshaw explained the move, reiterating they wanted to improve their passing out of the midfield.

“It was more about distributing the ball and creating triangles between me and the two centerbacks. We wanted to take the pressure off of the centerbacks. I’m comfortable playing the six; that’s my natural position. The gameplan was to control the midfield and distribute the ball,” Hackshaw said.

The boos roaring from the Deep Roots section before halftime, coming out of the break, and at the final whistle were unmistakable. At the end of the 2024 season, the groups represented in the supporters’ section put out a threat to boycott after two straight late-season collapses, yet Roots are staring at just one point out of 15.

“It’s been really difficult to not get points for the fans. We know what they are bringing to the Coliseum and when we travel. It’s been a real focus to bring the right effort consistently. First and foremost, I’m the first to go there and hold my hand up to them because these results are not acceptable. We want to bring them joy. We need to make sure we’re being warriors for however long it takes week in, week out,” Glinton said.

“We’re gutted not to win in this homestand, but we all believe we’ll start winning very soon, and the first one is around the corner.”

Coaches and players were drowed by boos when approaching the Deep Roots at the end of the match.

“I’m sorry to the fans that we lost. I ask them to keep coming and fight for us. I believe in the team and know the results will change,” Hackshaw said. “It hurts that they are booing us, but I applaud my teammates for standing there. The fans want more; they have a standard, and I love that,” Hackshaw said.

“I’m begging, give us the opportunity and give us the time to get the system right.”

The moment led to an interesting interaction between the supporters and Hackshaw. The captain, speaking candidly, elaborated on the moment.

“I told them, we’re going to win, but we need time. Nothing happens before time,” Hackshaw said. “I told them they have high standards and I accept that, please have the high standards for us. You putting pressure on us makes us want to be better. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result, and that hurts them, but it hurts us the same way.”

“Man, I hate to lose. Sometimes, I cry; it hurts. I hate to lose. I just told my teammates, if anyone in here doesn’t hate losing, get out. That’s a mentality thing. Once you get into your system that you hate to lose, it has an effect on everyone. That winning mentality to make the last tackle and to make the pass to score. I asked them to believe in us and give us time.”

Starting Lineups

Jürgen Damm and Julian Bravo make their debuts in the starting lineup. Abdi Mohamed continues to fill in for Riley, while Baboucarr Njie gets his second straight start. Bobosi makes his debut on the bench.

CM Tyler Gibson (injured; should be good to return next week at Tulsa). CB/CM Camden Riley (injured; should be good for next week).

Timeline

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