Oakland Roots captured its first win at the Coliseum with a big 2-nil clean sheet over Orange County. They finish the weekend holding the final playoff position in the USL Championship Western Conference with a 2-1-4 record and seven points, two points back of fifth-place El Paso Locomotive.
Wolfgang Prentice scored Roots’ first goal in the 10th minute after Peter Wilson pressed the OC goalkeeper Colin Shutler into a mistake before finding Wolfy nearby. Wilson made it 2-nil in the 31st when Jurgen Damm found him in front of the net for a leaping header over two defenders.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Saturday’s match.
Peter Wilson, 9
Peter Wilson was our RootsBlog Man of the Match for his goal and assist. It was his most impressive game in a Roots uniform, perhaps showing his potential over the full course of a season. He pressed OC’s goalkeeper Colin Shutler into a mistake before finding Wolfgang Prentice for the opening goal. His header goal in the 31st was also impressive work, rising above two defenders to softly tap a shot in.
Wilson finished with 3/4 shots on target and took 10 touches inside Orange County’s penalty area. He also won four duels, created one big chance, and had one successful dribble.
Wolfgang Prentice, 8.5
Wolfgang Prentice scored his fourth goal of the season, making a nice move around a defender before slotting a well-placed shot into the net. He continues to make an impact in the twin-striker role, opening up the field for Wilson and whoever is manning the #10 role.
Jürgen Damm, 8.5
Jürgen Damm’s assist to Wilson was inch-perfect. Given space in the box, Damm’s perfectly lofted cross to Wilson allowed him to reach the ball at its high point. He took three touches inside the box, completed six passes into the final third, and won all six of his duels.
Kendall McIntosh, 8
Kendall McIntosh was great in keeping the clean sheet, making a big save in the 20th minute. McIntosh was also impressive with his quick wit to jump off his line, closing out an approaching attacker in the 59th to pound on a heavy touch while he snatched a cross out of the air in close distance in the 70th.
Julian Bravo, 8
Julian Bravo deserves credit for helping keep the clean sheet, recording seven clearances, blocking two shots, and clearing one shot off the line in the second half. He won 2/2 tackles and won five duels, including 3/3 aerial duels.
Baboucarr Njie, 7.8
Baboucarr Njie is showing good productivity in Glinton’s 5-3-2 formation. He created one scoring chance, completing 4/5 crosses and two long balls. He won a team-high four tackles and 11 duels.
Bobosi Byaruhanga, 7.8
Bobosi Byaruhanga continues to impress in the central midfield and is proving the be someone who can help the ball shift from the defense to the midfield and into the attack. He took two shots, completed five passes into the final third, and took two touches inside the penalty area. He also went 3/5 on tackles, had five interceptions, and won five duels.
Jose Luis Sinisterra, 7.5
Jose Luis Sinisterra is an impressive playmaker in the #10 role, showing his fleet footwork and ability to keep the ball at his feet like there is glue on the toe of his shoes. He took two touches inside the penalty area, went 2/3 on dribbles, won five duels, and completed one pass into the final third, one cross, and two long balls.
Neveal Hackshaw, 7.5
Neveal Hackshaw’s sheer motivation in the locker room could be a key catalyst in turning around Roots’ season. He was a big part of keeping the shutout with eight clearances including six by header and won 4/4 aerial duels, to go along with one blocked shot.
Kai Greene, 7
Kai Greene also gets credit for keeping the clean sheet. He recorded three clearances, two interceptions, and won three duels. He also completed three passes into the final third.