Oakland Roots lost to Sacramento Republic on Sunday, May 4 thanks to a penalty kick right out of halftime for Republic. Roots were blanked in its 1-nil loss, but showed moments of productivity despite its lack of finishing.
Roots’ best chances came in the eighth minute when Peter Wilson was played through into the box by Jose Luis Sinisterra, but his shot was blocked by Danny Vitiello rushing off his line to stop him. Later in the 73rd, Panos Armenakas had a shot trickle wide after Peter Wilson headed a ball back to him in the box.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Sunday.
Jose Luis Sinisterra, 7
Jose Luis Sinisterra had some productive moments. He made a slick steal of possession in the 6th minute to start a counterattack and made the pass to Peter Wilson in the 8th minute to set up a good opportunity. He continues to show moments how he can turn defenders inside-out.
He won seven duels on the afternoon, went 2/2 on dribbles, and created one scoring chance.
Neveal Hackshaw, 7
Did well to hold off of Sac player in the early minutes to help get Roots out of their own zone. He also nearly set up Camden Riley in the late minutes of the first half with a flick-on header.
Finished with 10 passes into the final third, three long balls, cleared six balls, won five recoveries, and four duels.
Tyler Gibson 7
Tyler Gibson continues to show he’s the general of Oakland Roots’ midfield, creating plays and setting up his teammates by spraying passes to both sides. Perhaps his most impressive play was turning two Sacramento defenders inside out with nice touchwork about 25 yards above the area before sending a pass to Wolfgang Pentice a foot outside of the box, but Prentice botched gathering the ball.
He went 2/2 on dribbles, completed nine passes into the final third, went 5/7 on long balls, and won five duels.
Kendall McIntosh, 6.8
I’m not going to overly knock Kendall McIntosh for giving up the penalty kick; he at least dove to the correct side and came a few inches away from making the save. That being said, he had a big leaping save to stop Cicerone’s shot in the first half and continued to show he’s at his best when rushing off his line to gather loose balls.
He acted as a sweeper once, had one punch, and eight recoveries.
Kai Greene, 6.5
Kai Greene won seven duels, including all five aerial duels. Went 1/1 on tackles, had three clearances, completed eight passes into the final third, and took two touches inside the opponent’s box.
Julian Bravo, 6.5
Julian Bravo has locked down the left center back spot, proving to be dependable along the back line. He had one nice pass over the top to Wolfgang in the first half. Bravo finished with 13 passes into the final third, six accurate long balls, won two tackles and five duels.
Bobosi Byaruhanga, 6
Bobosi Byaruhanga didn’t have an illustrious game, but has solidified himself as a key cog in the midfield duo opposite of Gibson. He completed one pass into the final third, took one shot, completed two long balls, and won two duels.
Peter Wilson, 6
Peter Wilson didn’t have a great game, evident by losing 13 duels and winning six, but he continued to get himself involved in critical areas. He should’ve gotten an assist when laying off a pass to Panos Armenakas in the 73rd, but Panos’ shot went wide. He also had Roots’ best opportunity in the eighth minute, but Vitiello prevented him from getting a shot off.
Wilson finished with four touches inside the box, two passes into the final third, one shot on target, drew three fouls, and won six duels.
Panos Armenakas, 6
Panos Armenakas got 37 minutes of work off the bench and did alright. He likely wants a second crack at his shot that went wide in the 73rd as it would’ve been a great moment to help him build some momentum. He had two touches in the box, completed three passes into the final third, completed two crosses, and one long ball.
Wolfgang Prentice, 6
Wolfgang Prentice could’ve been higher on our list, but he didn’t do well with his touch or finishing on Sunday. He had a chance to score in the eighth minute, but couldn’t make good contact on his shot to allow Vitello to make a double-save after stopping Wilson. He also lost possession on what could’ve been a nice play after Gibson turned two defenders to find Wolfy a foot outside the box.
That being said, he’s still putting himself in good positions. Wolfy finished with five touches in the box, one pass into the final third, and won seven duels.