Oakland Roots claimed its first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over FC Tulsa on the road. It brings Roots’ record to 1-1-4 and although they are still in 12th place of the Western Conference, they are now two points back of eighth place.
Roots broke through in the 31st minute when Danny Gomez played a ball over the top to Wolfgang Prentice making a run into the box. With cool poise, Wolfgang slotted home the shot past the keeper’s face with a low left-footed shot. But Tulsa tied 12 minutes later on a banger of a shot by Owen Damm.
Then right before half, Prentice did it again. On some terrific interplay in the box, Peter Wilson centered a pass to Wolfgang right in front of Tulsa’s net. Again, with cool composure, Prentice sent in a shot past the keeper.
In the second half, it was all Tulsa but Oakland held on. Tulsa racked up 17 shots in the second half to Roots’ four, but Roots parked its defense to stay compact and limit them to two shots on target.
Man of the Match
We name Wolfgang Prentice our first RootsBlog Man of the Match all season after bagging a first-half brace to help propel Oakland to its 2-1 win. He’s been an instrumental piece of Oakland’s season, proving to be worthy of all six of his starts this season.
He is Roots’ leading scorer with three goals.
Talking Points
- By far the best first half of football all season
Oakland’s first half of action was, by far, the best half they’ve played all season. Roots were dangerous for all 45 minutes.
In the first half, Roots recorded five of its nine shots and all four of its shots on target. They took all 14 of their touches inside the box in the first 45 minutes, which was just a few away from matching its high all season. Ironically, Oakland played its best on the side with Tulsa’s infield diamond–maybe Roots need to adopt the infield patch at the Coliseum.
Their productivity was refreshing to see, but there was a clear drop in the latter half.
- Hung on for dear life
As strong as Oakland’s first half was, they couldn’t replicate it in the second half. It was a stressful final 45 minutes for Oakland, finishing with just 28 percent of the ball while Tulsa cranked off 17 of its 21 shot attempts.
There was a clear defensive approach for the latter half. Roots looked like they were parking the bus in the second half with 10 men behind the ball nearly at all times. With that, Tulsa only recorded two shots on target.
- A refreshing result
Regardless of the second-half lapse, to walk away from Tulsa with three points was incredibly refreshing. It has to feel good for that locker room after experiencing the stress of being booed by their home crowd last week against Rhode Island.
Wolfgang didn’t have an exuberant celebration for his first goal, standing next to the corner flag as he stared out toward the crowd. It looked like a moment where Oakland finally got the nuisance off its back.
With the U.S. Open Cup against Tacoma Defiance up next in just a few days, it’s an opportune time for Roots to stack performances going into April 19’s return home against Orange County.
- Bobosi with a good first start
Bobosi Byaruhanga was impressive in his starting lineup debut in Roots’ midfield. He only recorded a few shot attempts with one on target, but looked great moving the ball in transition.
He went 3/3 on dribbles, completing two passes into the final third, and took four touches inside the opponent’s box. He also won 10 duels on the night, showing his prowess in tight situations.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
No Panos Armenakas, who I’m hearing is dealing with a strain, while Bobosi Byaruhanga gets his first start. Still no Riley, despite not being on the injury report. Jurgen Damm also gets his second straight start likely at right back with Sinisterra is back in the starting lineup at right wing, and Boboucarr Njie starts ahead of Justin Rasmussen. Looks like Julian Bravo and Kai Greene make up the center back spots with Neveal Hackshaw bumping up to the midfield, once again.
- FC Tulsa
Timeline
GAME TIME! Can Oakland Roots capture its first win of the season and quell fans’ anger?
Roots free kick good area – 13′
Wolfgang draws a foul about 11-12 yards above the penalty area. Babou and Sinisterra line up over it, Njie sends a curling shot attempt on target that forces a diving save. Nearly a banger.
Roots maintains the ball around the box but can’t create a scoring opportunity – 14′
Diallo airmails a shot for Tulsa – 16′
Tulsa corner – 20′
Ball bounces in the box after Battista narrowly misses a header, but eventually cleared out.
Peter Wilson bowled over in the box, no call – 21′
Peter Wilson dangerous ball across the face of goal, but no one can make contact – 27′
Very close to finding Bobosi for the header in point blank range. Too hot to handle.
Bobosi with a toe-shot, but it’s deflected for an easy save – 28′
McIntosh big stop in 1-on-1 situation closes out the in behind – 30′
WOLFGANG SCORES – 31′
Nice ball over the top by Danny Gomez, Wolfgang takes a dribbe into the box and sends a low left-footed shot past the keeper.
Roots have already taken 10 touches in the box – 34′
Tulsa’s Owen Damm scores a banger – 43′
Damm on Damm crime. Sends a bullet past McIntosh.
WOLFY SCORES A BRACE – 45+6′
Peter Wilson gets a ball over the top and centers it to Wolfy. He scores his brace in front of the net. GREAT FINISH
Tulsa free kick in a good area – 45+10′
First Half Notes:
OAKLAND LEADS 2-1! Wolfgang is on a hat trick going into the second half, which could be the club’s first in the USL Championship. Roots have 14 touches inside the opponent’s box, which is nearly their most in a complete game. Roots with 5 shots, all 4 on target with 41 percent possession. Tulsa with 4 shots and 2 on target.
Tulsa free kick good area – 53′
Low cross leads to a header out for a goal kick.
Peter Wilson shot blocked – 56′
Tulsa corner – 57′
Tulsa corner – 58′
Ball flies through the area to Diallo, he airmails a shot.
Abdi on for Jurgen – 61′
Yellow on Bravo – 63′
Tulsa corner – 63
HUGE diving save by McIntosh on header in close distance by Calheira – 64′
Tulsa shot blocked out for a corner – 68′
Great stop by Hackshaw, reaches out with his backheel to block the shot.
Tulsa corner – 69′
Roots more lackluster this half, zero touches in the box thus far – 71′
EJ and Gibson on for Sinisterra and Wolfgang – 72′
No hat trick tonight.
Wilson shot blocked but close to his feet – 74′
Nice work in transition between EJ Johnson and Wilson.
Rasmussen and Elmasnaouy on for Gomez and Njie – 78′
Bobosi shot trails high from about 5 yards above the area – 80′
Roots parking the bus – 81′
Tulsa shot deflected out for a corner – 82′
Tulsa corner – 82′
Header hits the crossbar! Maybe tipped onto the crossbar by McIntosh.
Tulsa corner – 84′
EJ draws foul, was almost through to goal – 87′
Free kick – 88′
Rasmussen ball goes way over the net.
Tulsa corner – 90′
Tulsa another corner – 90+1′
Roots defensive header out for a corner – 90+1
Tulsa corner – 90+1′
Out for another corner
Tulsa corner – 90+2′
Header out for a goal kick.
Roots block like 4 shots – 90+4′
HUGE