Oakland Roots dropped to 0-1-4 following its disastrous 3-nil to Rhode Island after conceding three in the first half in a matter of minutes. They gave RIFC its first win of the season, while the visitors were able to outscore each of their previous three games after coming into Oakland with just two goals scored all season.
Rhode Island went up shortly after a giveaway by Abdi Mohamed in the 40th minute, where Jojea Kwizera recovered the ball in a dangerous area before sending a pass to Albert Dikwa for the first-touch goal. Then, just two minutes later, Clay Horstad sent a laser into the net after Maxi Rodriguez shot a rocket that rebounded off Kendall McIntosh’s diving save.
Before halftime at 45+5′, Horstad sent a long pass out of his own box to JJ Williams sprinting in behind Roots’ defense. McIntosh had to rush far off his line to meet Williams about 25 yards past midfield, taking a touch by him to score into the empty net.
Roots finished with six shot attempts and one on target, along with 13 touches inside the opponent’s box. Oakland still hasn’t reached 10 shot attempts, with seven against Las Vegas and Orange County being its current high marks, while they have yet to eclipse 20 touches in the box; 18 against OC has been its most.
Check out our five talking points and coverage of Saturday’s game. Here are Roots’ top-10 player ratings.
Wolfgang Prentice, 6.5
Wolfgang Prentice tops our list for generating Roots’ only clear opportunity on the day. In the 18th minute, he made a slick run in behind the defense into the box, but RIFC goalkeeper Koke Vegas did well to force a difficult shot in close distance.
In 73 minutes, Prentice finished with two touches inside the opponent’s box with one chance created and completed 15/16 passes. However, he went just 1/7 on duels, 0/3 on dribbles, and 0/1 on crosses.
Neveal Hackshaw, 6
Neveal Hackshaw moved into the midfield for the first time this season and looked alright in his natural position. Perhaps his best moment wasn’t related to the game, gathering the team at midfield as a leader following the third goal. His interaction with the angry supporters’ groups after the match showed selflessness, courage, and an eagerness to get things going in the right direction.
Bravo to him for showing the heart of a captain.
He completed eight passes into the final third, went 4/9 on long balls, and won one tackle and six duels.
Baboucarr Njie, 6
Baboucarr Njie generated some positive stats on the day. He completed 11 passes into the final third, went 6/9 on long balls, won all five of his tackles, and won seven duels. But he got caught watching the ball in Rhode Island’s second goal after it ricocheted off Kendall McIntosh’s diving save. FotMob gave him Roots’ highest rating at 6.7, so the goal conceded holds him back on our ratings.
Peter Wilson, 6
Peter Wilson gave Roots its first attacking moments of the game with a shot deflected out for a corner in the second minute and a glancing header on target in the 14th minute, but he didn’t do much more than that. He took five touches inside the opponent’s box, completed one pass into the final third, and won three duels.
Jürgen Damm, 6
Jürgen Damm got his first start in a Roots uniform and got involved in the first half. In 59 minutes, he took one touch in the opponent’s box on 23 total touches, won 2/2 tackles, and won 3/4 duels.
Jose Luis Sinisterra, 6
Jose Luis Sinisterra came on at halftime in place of Panos Aremenakas and did well to get involved. He had two touches inside the opponent’s box, completed five touches inside the opponent’s box, won four duels and 1/2 dribbles.
Bobosi Byaruhanga, 6
Bobosi Byaruhanga made his debut, receiving 31 minutes off the bench. He still created some action, completing six passes into the final third and a shot that was blocked.
Panos Armenakas, 6
Panos Armenakas was subbed out at halftime, possibly representing the lackluster afternoon. He completed four passes into the final third, won six duels, and took one touch in the box, but he went 0/2 on crosses, 0/3 on long balls, and took just 28 touches.
EJ Johnson, 6
EJ Johnson got 31 minutes of work but needed to get more involved without any touches in the box. He completed one pass into the final third, won one tackle and four duels.
Julian Bravo, 5.8
It’s abnormal for a center back to make the list after conceding three goals, but it might be a testament to the total lack of quality throughout the team on Saturday. Regardless, Julian Bravo sprung Prentice on a long ball for Roots’ best chance of the day.