Site icon RootsBlog

Oakland Roots beat Orange County 2-0, out of Western Conference cellar

Jonathan Comeaux

Oakland Roots are back in the win column with a 2-nil win over Orange County, getting Roots out of the cellar at 2-1-4 and now in eighth place of the USL Championship Western Conference. It marks their second consecutive league win after defeating FC Tulsa last week.

“I’m super ecstatic about the result. Getting a shutout and first win at home, but really happy with the team’s effort and commitment. The attention to detail and the game plan worked out well. We were able to hurt them where we wanted to, and I think we could’ve gotten one or two more goals,” coach Gavin Glinton said.

Wolfgang Prentice continued his scoring onslaught with Roots’ opener in the 10th minute of action when Peter Wilson pressed the OC goalkeeper into a mistake, centering a pass to Wolfy for his fourth score of the season.

“I was in a great position. It was a great interception by Peter, and credit to him, he had great vision to see me. I just did a little magic to fake my defender and hit it into the corner. The boys are really happy to get the three points at home,” Prentice said.

Then it was Wilson to score one of his own in the 31st minute. This time, Jurgen Damm played a perfectly lofted cross to Wilson in the box–who leaped above two close defenders to land a header into the net.

It was possibly Roots’ best performance this season, recording 10 shots with six on target and 24 touches inside Orange County’s penalty area. Despite finishing with just 34 percent of possession, Oakland limited OCSC to just two shots on target.

“We’ve had three games in a week with a lot of travel, and it hasn’t been easy. With the rotations, credit to the guys for being able to manage it well,” Glinton said.

Following the day’s results, Roots hold playoff positioning by jumping from 12th to eighth place in the Western Conference. They look ahead to visiting Spokane Velocity for their first of six group stage matches of the USL Jägermeister Cup on Sunday, April 27 before returning to the Coliseum for a league match versus Sacramento Republic on May 4.

Man of the Match – Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson gets our Man of the Match award for his goal and assist. He landed a stellar header in front of the net, leaping above two defenders to touch in his shot. His assist to Wolfgang Prentice was a product of good pressing, causing trouble for OC’s keeper and doing well to retain an initial shot attempt to find Wolfy. It felt like an important game for him to get some momentum going.

Talking Points

Now on a winning streak against league competition and two victories in their last three matches, the hope is that Saturday’s win can be a catalyst for more success. In addition to looking like a scoring threat on numerous occasions, the defense stayed solid. It’s been something coach Glinton has been patiently waiting for.

Roots have had a few very strong 45 minutes of football through its eight matches, but haven’t put together a full 90 minutes before Saturday’s win. Against Tulsa, Oakland had its most productive first half all season and then had a strong second half versus Tacoma. This time, Roots never looked out of control.

“I thought we showed fight and improved in some areas we haven’t done well, like the attention to detail against Tulsa. We probably had our best attacking match against Tacoma where we showed one side of our identity, where we can possess and put teams under. The goal today was to see if we can put both of those together in one match,” Glinton said.

“Still a ways to go, but we’re starting to see our ability to fight and blue-collar mentality. I’m really happy with that.”

Roots only possessed the ball 34 percent of the time, but did damage playing a direct style and getting in behind OC’s defense.

“We talked about our ability to be aggressive and force teams to be uncomfortable. Our ability to attack 1v1 and 2v2 forces teams to drop back. Even if they don’t, we want to be more direct, and it allows us to settle in, circulate, and find the gaps we want to find. We’re starting to see it a little more consistently,” Glinton said.

Gavin Glinton has deployed a new formation over the past three matches with three center backs, two wing backs, three midfielders, and Wolfgang Prentice and Peter Wilson making a two-pronged striker attack.

“The tweaks we’ve made over the last couple of weeks have really started to work out for us. But more importantly, it’s the identity we’re starting to see,” Glinton said.

The changes have been paying off with Prentice scoring three goals and a penalty drawn in his last three appearances. There were times Wilson kicked all the way out to the right wing and Jose Luis Sinisterra manned the middle of the field.

Glinton thinks the switch is enabling their passers out of the back to have more options and give support to Wilson at striker.

“I think the ability for us to be a bit more flexible is important,” Glinton said. “We have some cover, and we know our center backs are good defensively and can circulate the ball with short or longer passes. A big focal point is getting more support for our #9. Being able to play between our #9 and two wingers gives us some variability in our play. Ideally, we keep running with it, but getting more players higher up has been a big change for us.”

Julian Bravo has been a factor in Roots’ switch, giving the squad defensive stability alongside Kai Greene and Neveal Hackshaw. He completed three passes into the final third and won seven duels on the day.

“Julian has been big-time,” Glinton said. “We missed him after his preseason injury, but he was an animal with his rehab. His ability to tackle, organize, chase, clip balls in, play out, and the composure he brings to the back line in hairy situations are important for us. It’s been really good to have him back in,” Glinton said.

It’s looking like the Wolfy and Wilson show for Roots’ attack. Prentice notched his team-leading fourth goal of the season at striker alongside Wilson, who now has a team-leading three assists.

“Part of that is the chemistry and the time it takes to get guys in. There’s the physical loading and getting them up to match fitness. We’re still young, it’s a fresh process with a fresh staff. There’s a long way and a lot for us to do to get better,” Glinton said.

Wolfgang’s four goals would’ve been the second-highest on last year’s squad.

“Wolfy’s start has been fantastic. He’s a coach’s player; he listens and really focuses, you only have to tell him something once or twice. We have big expectations for him, I think he’s mature, locked in, and focused,” Glinton said.

There’s a clear chemistry between the two, with Wilson assisting Prentice for his last pair of goals.

“Peter is a player with a good European background and understands the game well. It’s up to me to be in those spots for him and finish off his great passes. The chemistry has been great, and I think it’ll only get better from here,” Prentice said.

Prentice has played in several different positions throughout his professional career, including wing back, winger, central attacking midfielder, and now striker.

“One of my greatest assets is trying to get in behind and get into the box. I’m finally in a position to do that and I’m really embracing it,” Prentice said.

2025 marks his fourth year with the organization after having loan spells at Colorado Hailstorm and Forward Madison.

“I was at a point in my career where I needed to get a lot of playing time and grow as a professional. I think that was important for me; thankfully, Madison was able to give me the opportunity for the last two years. I think I grew as a player and a person,” Prentice said.

“There are points when you’re on loan that you’re fighting for a spot. It’s trying to be clutch and important when you get those minutes and gain the trust of coaches. I really took it with great happiness, and I’ve had nothing but great experiences. I only see going up from here,” he added.

As for Wilson, he has already tied Johnny Rodriguez’s assist total from 2024 in just six appearances. His header goal was something Roots rarely were able to execute with Rodriguez, where the Liberian/Swede rose up over two defenders to finish a well-placed header.

“Peter is very, very attentive and focused. He’s been very intense with his demands. Sometimes you can see where he’s wanting things, maybe a bit too much. But he’s been working his butt off on both sides of the ball to help press. I’m happy for him to start his scoring campaign and excited to see what the season brings for him,” Glinton said.

Getting their first win at the Coliseum, it was easy to see what this win meant to the players and coaches after the final whistle.

As the team approached the Deep Roots section, Glinton pumped his fists and applauded the crowd. The players seemed to know how pivotal a win this was for him, embracing Glinton as if Saturday was a playoff match.

“Finally,” Glinton said. “It felt like forever. I’m super happy to get the win for our fans to have some joy. Despite everything they’ve been going through, they have our backs at every moment. Hopefully, we can keep this going so we can get this place rocking again.”

Prentice is finally getting the limelight in Oakland now in his fourth year under contract with the organization. He’s the only player with a dedicated fan group, The Wolf Gang.

“The fans were really wanting a win. We want to make this place a fortress where it’s tough to play in. I’m happy to get that for the fans, but I’m happy for the team too. Both the fans and the players really needed this win,” Prentice said.

Starting Lineups

Looks like another back three and twin striker combination with Prentice and Wilson up top while Greene, Hackshaw, and Bravo man the back. Gibson, Bobosi, and Damm return to the starting lineup. Damm and Njie likely provide the width and Sinisterra moves into the #10 role. Overall, a strong lineup. Riley and Armenakas return to the bench after dealing with minor injuries.

Timeline

Exit mobile version