Oakland Roots saw its quest for the U.S. Open Cup end after its first match of the tournament, falling 2-1 in extra time to Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Stadium. Although the home team was some oddsmaker’s favorites, it had every feel of a Cupset with Oakland dominating the second half and most of extra time with all of its starters on the field.
Tacoma’s game-winner came in the 108th minute when Jackson Khoury stole possession off of Neveal Hackshaw down by Roots’ own end line, centering a pass for Osaze De Rosario. His shot from inside the area deflected off the bottom of Julian Bravo’s outstretched foot and into the net.
Defiance scored the game’s first goal in the 28th minute when Peter Kingston sent in a beautiful curling shot from about six yards outside the left elbow area of the penalty area. Kingston nearly scored again from a free kick six minutes later, but Raphael Spiegel pushed his shot onto the post. It marked Tacoma’s last attempt on target until scoring the game-winner in the second half of extra time.
Oakland took over in the second half with multiple chances to score. They took 15 touches inside the box, seven shots, two on target, and generated two big scoring chances.
Roots’ goal was scored in the 75th minute when Wolfgang Prentice drew a penalty kick when sending a pass inside the box. Surprisingly stepping to the penalty spot was Neveal Hackshaw, and even more surprisingly, he sent in a well-taken shot to the left side of the net. Roots had another big chance one minute earlier when Peter Wilson sent a shot on the volley straight to the keeper.
Oakland took five more shots in the first half of extra time and another five with four on target in the second 15 minutes. Tacoma’s Cody Baker drew his second yellow at the 117′ mark. Tyler Gibson took two shots and Justin Rasmussen took one in the remaining time, but couldn’t overly challenge Tacoma GK Andrew Thomas.
Here are our talking points coming out of the match.
Talking Points
- More giveaways and worldies sting Roots
Giveaways and conceding worldie goals have become synonymous with the start of Oakland Roots’ 2025 season.
Hackshaw’s giveaway in the 108th minute became the latest of a string of costly errors by Oakland’s defense. In the 3-nill loss to Rhode Island, its first goal came after a sloppy touch by Abdi Mohamed, who had another giveaway in their 3-2 loss to Monterey. Also against Monterey and Orange County, costly slips by Camden Riley enabled two goals.
It’d be interesting to see how these results would’ve changed if Oakland hadn’t shot itself in the foot.
At the same rate, Oakland seems to always get hit by absolutely beautiful goals. Is this enabled by defensive play or just Roots repeatedly getting struck by pure brilliance?
Three of Orange County’s four goals were class goals. Ethan Zubak landed a header after Cameron Dunbar whipped in a wicked ball, Nico Benalcázar had a beautiful curling free kick, and then Kyle Scott hit a longshot from outside the box. Against Monterey, Mayele Malango landed a curling shot. Clay Holstad also launched in a rocket to clean up a rebound for Rhode Island.
Tongith, it was Kingston’s free kick to punish Roots, hitting a shot about as perfect as it could’ve been.
- Roots were going for it
Roots, in their effort to take over the game with aged veterans against a team of youngsters, fell short. Defiance’s oldest starter was 26-year-old keeper Andrew Thomas, while 30-year-old Danny Robles came off the bench. One look at the players Oakland used, and it’s clear that winning tonight was a priority.
Despite Tacoma being the bettors’ favorite before the opening whistle, tonight had all the characteristics of a Cupset, given Oakland closed the game with 10 of 11 usual starters on the field aside from goalkeeper Raphael Spiegel. In fact, Defiance had four 18-year-olds in the starting lineup.
And, boy, that hurt.
Goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh has repeatedly mentioned going for silverware this season and the U.S. Open Cup, undoubtedly, was one of the club’s marquee chances to make headlines. Oakland no-longer has a chance to renew the Fuck John Fisher Derby against San Jose Earthquakes. Knocked out after one match, Roots’ only remaining chance at a trophy might be the USL Jägermeister Cup.
It’s already looking assured that the regular season Players’ Shield is out of reach, which would require Roots to finish with the league’s best record. That leaves the USL Championship title through the postseason, and sitting in last-place of the Western Conference, that dream is sounding more farfetched by the day.
- A very strong second half and start of extra time
Roots’ second half was perhaps its best all season, even better than its first-half performance in their 2-1 win over FC Tulsa on Saturday. Oakland generated two big scoring chances, including the penalty kick, taking 15 touches inside the penalty area to top 14 in the first half of the Tulsa match.
They added six more touches in the box in the first 15 minutes of extra time and another five in the latter half.
Wolfgang Prentice continues to show he is Roots’ best player. He quickly got involved after entering in the 57th minute, taking a pass from Thomas off of the face to set up a chance by Jose Luis Sinisterra nine minutes later. Then, in the 75th, Wolfy drew the penalty kick to set up Hackshaw’s goal.
Peter Wilson also entered in the 57th. He created Roots’ other big scoring chance in the 74th when Justin Rasmussen played him a nice cross in the box. On the run, Wilson shot the ball out of the air, but Thomas got low to make the save. He then laid off a ball to Bobosi Byaruhanga in the 108th minute, but Bobosi’s shot bounced slowly to the keeper.
Bobosi and Sinisterra also had productive appearances after coming on in the second half.
Byaruhanga also took shot attempts in the 92nd and 103rd, but he didn’t hit either shot with much velocity. He also tried to catch Thomas off of his line on a 60-yard bomb in the 78th, but it was grabbed and wasn’t on target anyway.
Sinisterra drew a foul a few feet above the penalty area in the 71st at the end of a nice dribble toward the area and had a shot go wide in the 100th.
- Good opportunity against Orange County
Make no mistake: that one was painful, and losing to an MLS Next Pro side is a lot to frown on. But Roots now look to pick itself up on Saturday back at the Coliseum against Orange County.
It marks the second meeting between the two sides already just one month into the season. OCSC is in a bit of a downturn, losing tonight 4-2 in penalty kicks to USL League One side AV Alta after ending regulation and extra time in a 2-2 tie. Orange County won its last league game against Sacramento 2-1 but lost 1-0 to Las Vegas on April 5 and got dominated 3-nil by Monterey on March 22.
Oakland and Glinton will have a more difficult choices on their hands with a short roster. Prentice and Wilson played 63 minutes, Sinisterra and Bobosi appeared for 56, and players like Hackshaw, Tyler Gibson, and Rasmussen were in for all 120 minutes.
Roots will have to find a way to bottle its productivity in the second half against Tacoma and the first half against Tulsa. If not, things are going to get increasingly bleak for an already fractured fanbase.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
As expected, Oakland has several new faces in tonight’s starting lineup. Raphael Spiegel and Gagi Margvelashvili get their first start of 2025, while Project 51O graduates like Ilya Alekseev, Luis Saldana, and Ali Elmasnaouy appear in the starting 11. Usual Roots’ players like Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Rasmussen, Danny Gomez, Abdi Mohamed, and Tyler Gibson are back in, while EJ Johnson provides speed up top. It could be another two-pronged attack with Johnson and Saldanda up top.
All in all, a strong lineup with solid bench options for a midweek Cup match. If Oakland is pushing for a goal in the second half, Gavin Glinton will have options to choose from.
- Tacoma Defiance
Timeline
GAME TIME! Can Roots get past the MLS Next Pro club?
Tacoma smacks the post – 3′
Rosario nearly exploded the right post. Makes a nice run and cut inside, takes a shot from atop the box.
Johnson scuffs a shot from distance on target – 6′
Johnson sends a shot to the moon after Saldana does great to win the ball high in the attacking zone – 9′
Tacoma finds the ball in the box, but Kang’s first touch lets him down and they dribble out for a goal kick – 19′
Look like a 5-2-3 at times for Roots with a back five of Ilya, Abdi, Hackshaw, Gagi, and Rasmussen. Midfield of Gibson and Gomez, and interchanging forwards of Johnson, Saldana, and Elmasnaouy.
Tacoma free kick from good area – 28′
On the left side, about 6 yards outside the elbow. Peter Kingston sends in a looping shot and it goes in. Another worldie type of goal conceded by Oakland.
Roots draw free kick in a dangerous area as well – 30′
About 11 yards outside of the left elbow of the box. Gomez and Rasmussen line up over it. Kick has to be re-taken after a foul before play.
Roots re-take free kick – 31′
Rasmussen can’t beat the first man.
Tacoma just misses another goal – 31′
Pass in from Sousa across the face to Kang, who can’t finish a left-footed touch.
Tacoma draws a corner – 33′
Plays short and back.
Tacoma draws another free kick – 34′
This time about 10 yards above the area centrally. Kingston lines up again, forces a diving save by Spiegel, and it clangs off of the post. Kingston is on fire.
Ball falls to Saldana in the box, but he whiffs on his shot attempt on the volley – 37′
Ali loses possession in a good area, almost a good win in the attacking zone – 40′
Hackshaw shot high from 40 yards – 43′
Roots free kick in a good area, drawn by Gagi – 45+1′
On the left side near the sideline. Ball in by Gomez finds Hackshaw for a header, but it sails a few feet over the net.
First Half Notes: Tacoma leads 1-nil but arguably could have three goals, while Roots have had nothing to write home about. Tacoma has hit the woodwork twice, logging 5 shots with 2 on target. Oakland has 5 shots, but just 1 on target with 45% possession. Having a hard time generating any positive movement, might be a good time to make big changes at the half.
Roots make no changes at the half.
Roots free kick – 48′
Ali wins it in a good area about 10 yards above area right of center.
Rasmussen sends a ball straight to the keeper.
Tacoma corner – 49′
Play short, cycles around the sideline.
Saldana draws a yellow – 54′
Glinton also drew a yellow earlier.
Wolfy and Wilson on for Johnson and Saldana – 57′
Hackshaw great ball in to Rasmussen – 62′
Rasmussen doesn’t take a good touch, lets the ball fall and its grabbed by the keeper. Great pass, bad miss.
Sinisterra and Bobosi on for Gomez and Ali – 65′
Roots nearly catch Tacoma sleeping – 66′
Keeper passes into Wolfy’s face, and Sinisterra nearly gets a shot off.
Roots corner – 66′
Leads to nothing.
Sinsiterra wins a free kick on the edge of the box – 71′
Great dribble by Sinisterra, takes a knock a few feet above the line.
Rasmussen lines up over it. Shot sails 6 feet high.
Wilson a huge chance on the volley – 74′
Great pass in from Rasmussen, Wilson’s shot on the volley goes straight at the keeper.
HANDBALL DRAWS A PK – 75′
Wolfy sends a pass and it goes straight into Yamada’s hand.
Hackshaw steps to the spot. Sends it straight in with finesse. It’s tied.
Tacoma corner – 78′
The play short again and all the way back.
Bobosi tries to catch Tacoma’s GK off his line on a 60-yard shot – 78′
Keeper caught it wheeling back, would’ve gone wide anyways.
Roots corner – 82′
Plays short, Wolfy ball in easily grabbed.
Bravo on for Gagi – 83′
Roots’ last sub. I probably would’ve preferred Damm for Ilya.
Roots corner – 90+2′
Rasmussen a nice ball to Hackshaw, punched away.
Roots corner – 90+4′
Sloppy giveaway by Tacoma. Rasmussen pass goes to keeper again.
Roots corner – 90+5′
Wolfy draws it; could be the last play of regulation. Sinisterra takes it, ball in cleared. Falls to Ilya atop the area, but his shot whiffs.
Full-Time Notes:
We’re going to extra time after Roots scored its PK in the 75th minute. Oakland much, much more dangerous in the second half – generating 6 shots, 2 on target, 2 big scoring chances including the PK, and 6 corners. Owned 56 percent of the ball and took 15 touches inside the box.
Wolfgang, Wilson, and Sinisterra have been a problem for Tacoma since they entered the game.
Bobosi scuffs a shot – 92′
Missed Ilya unmarked. He apologized for missing him.
Roots want a handball, not given – 92′
Yamada kicks it into himself.
Roots corner – 93′
Sinisterra with a dangerous pass. The keeper botches the grab, but Roots called for a foul.
Tacoma sends in a dangerous pass – 94′
Sousa with a ball into the box, but it’s cleared out.
Tacoma dangerous pass in, Spiegel comes out and misses on an attempted punch – 96′
Rasmussen a pair of nice passes in front, one spilled by the GK – 98′
Roots corner – 99′
Cleared out.
Sinisterra shot deflected wide – 100′
Damm comes on in the process for Ilya.
Roots corner – 100′
Falls through area.
Bravo header goes wide after a great pass from Wolfgang – 101′
Great chance, ball goes a few feet wide. Have to finish that better.
Bobosi long header bounces to keeper – 103′
First Half of extra time:
Roots still creating some dangerous moments. They took 6 touches in the box, compared to just 3 times in the first half.
Roots draw a long free kick – 106′
Good distance for a long pass in. Rasmussen sends in a ball and Tacoma eventually dribbles it out.
Bobosi gets a shot on target, bounces to the keeper – 108′
Good pass from Rasmussen in to Wilson. He reaches out and it lays off for Bobosi.
Tacoma goal – 108′
Giveaway by Hackshaw, works to Rosario. His shot deflects and into the net.
Wolfgang sends a cross across the face of net, no one there – 111′
Wolfgang shot on the volley goes straight to the keeper – 113′
Bravo whips a pass in, Wolfy takes a touch with his right and follows through with his left, but it goes straight to the GK.
Tacoma free kick -115′
they draw another around the same area.
Tacoma free kick – 116′
leads to nothing.
Tacoma’s Baker gets red carded, Roots go up a man with three minutes left – 117′
Gibson with a shot on the volley, leaping grab by the GK – 119′
Rasmussen shot a few yards from atop area goes straight to GK – 119′
Gibson sends another shot high and wide – 120′
Long ball another in grabbed – 120+2′