Oakland Roots suffered a 4-2 loss to North Carolina, where they were stung by the home side’s clinical work in critical areas. The result brings Oakland’s record to 3-1-6, keeping them with 10 points and the bulk of the Western Conference playing in the weekend ahead.
North Carolina got on the board first in the 33rd minute when Jaden Servania found himself unmarked for a shot atop Roots’ penalty area. Kai Greene attempted a defensive header on Servania’s shot, causing it to laser backward into his own net. NCFC scored again right before halftime in the first minute of first-half stoppage time shortly after Ilya Alekseev gave up a foul a foot outside Oakland’s box. That’s when Michael Maldonado sent a shot to the opposite side of Roots’ wall of defenders, bending it into the top bin.
Oakland pulled one back in the 63rd minute when Wolfgang Prentice sent a cross to the opposite side of the box, finding Jürgen Damm charging in for a shot. Damm perfectly caught the ball on his first touch, hitting it perfectly before it could bounce off the pitch.
But 10 minutes later, North Carolina made it 3-1 after Oalex Anderson made a long run down the right side, sending a low ball into the box that found Louis Perez for a shot right in front of the net.
Oakland wasn’t dead just yet, with Wilson scoring in the 81st minute. This time, Damm made a wicked move to free himself up on the right side, firing in a low pass toward NCFC’s goalkeeper Jake McGuire. In close distance, McGuire wasn’t able to secure the ball with Wilson nipping at the ball, allowing the Liberian Swede to score his third goal of the season.
But at the very end, North Carolina got its fourth when Kai Greene sent a pass way too far in front of Gagi Margvelashvili, allowing Perez to gain possession with space down the left side. He rolled it to Anderson right in front of the net for the game’s final goal.
Here are our talking points coming out of Friday’s match.
Talking Points
- Steps forward lead to more steps backward
Today seemed like the epitome of Roots’ season thus far, where Oakland takes a step backward after showing some solid moments.
Following a positive performance against San Antonio, Roots came out slow in the first half versus North Carolina. Then, after going down 1-0, Oakland created its best chance of the first half when Panos Armenakas played a long pass to Neveal Hackshaw for a header. But despite creating some momentum, Oakland put itself in a bad position, once again, when Ilya Alekseev committed the foul, which led to Maldonado’s goal.
Trailing 2-nil, Oakland had strong moments to open the second half. Sinisterra had a long shot on target in the 51st, Armenakas sent a shot from a free kick narrowly wide in the 57th, and then Sinisterra had another shot on target three minutes later. Then, Roots broke through in the 63rd when Wolfgang found Damm for his first-touch goal.
But 11 minutes later, North Carolina made it 3-1 at the end of a nice buildup between Anderson and Perez. Roots gained a surge of life in the 81st when Wilson scored his goal until another mistake did them in. This time, Greene’s pass left Gagi in no-man’s land, giving Perez a gift which led to Anderson’s final goal.
We’re still in the “Moral Victories” stage of the season for Roots, and Oakland deserves credit for showing fight to get themselves back in the game. But tonight’s match was a measuring-stick type of matchup for Roots to see if they can string together two positive performances.
It’s a trend that’s been following the squad since last season, when they lost after gaining big wins over Louisville, New Mexico, and Las Vegas. At some point, Roots must prove they can take one step forward after another.
- Jürgen Damm with a great performance
Jürgen Damm provided an instant impact off the bench. We can already assure he’ll receive RootsBlog’s top player rating.
His first-touch goal was a thing of beauty, where he charged onto the ball to greet it right as it came to the ground, perfectly placing it past the keeper.
He was also the catalyst in Roots’ second goal. After turning his defender inside-out with some sick touchwork, Damm fired in a low pass toward NCFC’s goalkeeper–who fumbled possession to allow Wilson to score. Although FotMob currently isn’t crediting Damm for the assist, the play doesn’t happen without him.
There was still some meat left on the bone for Damm, perhaps being too indecisive on a chance in the 69th. It was a moment that, retrospectively, could’ve made a huge difference.
- Missed chances hurt again
As mentioned above, Roots’ inability to finish in critical moments continues to leave a sour taste on results. Similar to their loss to Sacramento, today’s match could’ve swung in the other direction if Oakland could capitalize on the opportunities they were given.
Roots’ one big missed chance was Hackshaw’s header that went wide in the 39th minute. The pass from Armenakas about 25 yards outside of the box couldn’t have been placed more perfectly. Running in alone, Neveal’s shot slipped wide of the mark.
Oakland created another chance in the 60th when Sinisterra’s shot attempt was batted back into play, but no one was there to react to the play and clean things up.
Who knows if Damm could’ve sent in a shot in the 69th minute when Wilson found him running into the box. But he didn’t pull the trigger, and NCFC got the ball back.
- Kendall McIntosh leaves with concussion symptoms
It was surprising to see Kendall McIntosh pulled out of the game coming out of halftime after finishing the first half. He took a shot to the head in the 16th minute and never came out of the contest despite being slow to get up.
After a medical check at halftime, McIntosh was flagged for concussion symptoms and had to be pulled. It resulted in Raphael Spiegel hurriedly getting himself ready for action.
With that, Spiegel didn’t look bad. His passing ability shined in Damm’s chance in the 69th, sending a long ball toward Wilson, which led to Sinisterra gaining possession in a dangerous area. He also came up with a big diving save four minutes earlier in the 65th.
McIntosh, thus far, has proven the unquestioned starter in goal for Roots. He’ll get an extra day of rest before Oakland’s next game against New Mexico on May 24.
It’ll be a week of evaluation for McIntosh. Per U.S. Soccer rules, players must show they are symptom free for at least 24 hours.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Gavin Glinton makes no changes to his side from last week’s win over San Antonio. With that, Ilya Alekseev gets his second straight start, this time with Jurgen Damm on the subs list. Maybe that’s a testament to Damm still working his way back, but Ilya has proven worthy of starting minutes. We kept him off our top-10 list last week, so today’s an opportunity for him to prove his worth a bit more. Aside from that, I’m excited to see how Jose Luis Sinisterra and Panos Armenakas pair in another match.
- North Carolina FC
Timeline
GAME TIME!!!! Can Oakland Roots get it done on the road, once again?
Tyler Gibson technically a shot wide, but it was on the volley and went straight to the sideline – 8′
Oalex Anderson laboring around for NC – 10′
Almost a sloppy giveaway by McIntosh, firing it right into a NC player – 12′
Anderson rushing toward net down the right side, but McIntosh comes off his line to meet him – 13′
Would’ve been an opportunity to play a pass centrally.
NC’s supporters are called the Oak City Supporters? Huh?
McIntosh good to rush out to stop a through ball to Matzingen – 16′
McIntosh takes a shot to the face, slow to get back up. It could’ve been a dangerous situation for Matzingen.
Doesn’t look like a good situation for Kendall. Very slow to get up, taking several minutes.
McIntosh good to continue.
Metzingen shot on target, cut toward the top right elbow area of the box. But his shot goes straight at McIntosh – 19′
Da Costa rolls a shot wide after Roots caught out of position – 21′
Kai Greene with a big tackle against Anderson, stops a run into the box – 26′
Hackshaw yellow carded – 28′
Hackshaw blocks a shot – 30′
North Carolina strikes first – 33
North Carolina controlling the ball for a long time around Roots’ area leads to Servania taking an open shot from atop the box. His shot glances off Kai Greene’s header and goes into the net. Oakland trails and hasn’t looked good thus far.
Roots free kick in a good area – 36′
Drawn by Sinisterra about 13 yards above the area.
Panos lines up over it, ball in headed back to the top of the box. Wolfgang takes a swing, and it goes into Triston Hodge’s side.
NC with another good buildup and shot – 37′
Shot blocked out for a corner. Comes after NC does well to get past Oakland’s midfield and into the attack, forcing a 3-on-3.
First good buildup from Roots in transition draws a free kick in the attacking area – 38′
Collin Martin puts a shot on Peter Wilson, draws a yellow on Martin.
Roots free kick – 39′
Panos sends a perfect free kick from 25 yards above the box to Hackshaw. His header somehow misses the entire net, a huge change missed there. Looked like an assured goal.
Nice ball out to Wilson al the way in the attack, great tackle by Washington – 42′
Ilya gives up a free kick in a very dangerous area for NC – 45
Nearly a penalty kick about a foot above the area.
NC free kick from a foot on top of the box – 45+1′
DeCosta and Maldonado over it. Moldonado scores a curling beauty to the opposite side of the wall and bends it into the net. It’s 2-nil, McIntosh didn’t have a chance.
Oakland fails the “Don’t Give Up A Worldie” challenge, but they gave North Carolina a huge favor to set them up in one of the most dangerous areas of the pitch.
NC another dangerous free kick – 45+6′
Will be the last play of the first half, drawing it at the end of the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Maldonado lines up over it again from 6 yards above the box. DeCosta takes it and it sails over the net.
First Half Notes:
Shaping up to be another step-backward following a step-forward performance for Oakland. They trail 2-nil after being under pressure for most of the first half. NC scored in the 33rd at the end of supplying a lot of pressure, leading to Servania whipping in a shot from atop the box that ricocheted off a defensive header by Kai Greene. They scored again right before halftime after Ilya Alekseev gave up a costly foul a foot above the box, leading to Maldonado curling a ball into the net.
Roots didn’t create anything offensively until after NC’s initial goal. They’ve taken three shots and missed one big chance when Panos Armenakas sent a long free kick that found Neveal Hackshaw for a header, but it went wide. NC has 9 shots, 4 on target, and have drawn 2 corners.
Damm on for Ilya and Gagi on for Bravo – 46′
Raphael Spiegel also coming on for McIntosh. Must be an injury
Roots draw a corner – 47′
Sinisterra pass goes through the box.
Sinisterra sends a long shot from like 25 yards above the net – 51′
Keeper easily handles it. That marks Oakland’s first shot on target.
Wolfgang draws a foul about 30 yards outside of the box – 53′
Ensuing free kick, Sinisterra lofts a ball that’s headed down by Kai Greene. No one there to retain it.
Nice buildup leads to Bobosi drawing a foul a couple of feet above the area – 56′
Roots free kick from dangerous area – 57′
Panos and Sinisterra line up over it. Dead center, maybe 3 feet above the box.
Panos bends it narrowly wide. Then, he’s taken off for Njie. Panos was upset to be taken off.
Panos off for Njie, a defensive player? Hard to agree with this decision – 58′
Sinisterra sends a shot on target 5 yards above the box. – 60′
The ball gets batted out, and Roots aren’t there to clean it up. Njie, being the closest man to it, doesn’t make the recent substitution all too flattering.
ROOTS GOAL – 63′
JURGEN DAMM WITH A PERFECT FINISH. Wolfy lofts a cross across the box and Damm meets it with perfect time. Oakland trails 2-1. Damm’s first goal in a Roots jersey.
NC’s Anderson nearly scored – 65′
At the end of a turnover in their own half, given up by Sinisterra. Anderson gets a ball through and Spiegel makes a huge diving save.
NC corner – 68′
Leads to a foul on NC.
Damm way too patient on a chance – 69′
Long ball from Spiegel falls to Sinisterra. Peter Wilson feeds Damm, making a run into the box on the right side. Damm sees the keeper coming off his line and cuts back to the inside. In the end, he takes a weak shot off balance. Would’ve liked to see him take the chance on his first touch, similar to his goal.
Gomez on for Sinisterra – 70′
Other than Damm, not very inspiring substitutions today.
NC puts it away, 3-1 – 74′
A nice buildup by NC. Builds down the right side by Anderson, sends the ball into the box and Louis Pérez gets on the end of it. They make it look easy.
Johnson on for Gibson – 77′
ROOTS GOAL – 81′
WHAT?!?!?!
Hackshaw sends a pass wide to Damm, who takes a slick move to open himself up on the right side and fires a pass in. The ball is given up by NC’s goalkeeper and Wilson is there to pounce. Not sure if Damm gets the assist, but he deserves it.
NC corner – 89′
cleared out but NC retains.
Wolfy slow to get involved on a play, was limping after a tackle – 90+5′
Very sloppy goal to conceded by Roots – 90+9′
After a throw in, Greene puts a pass way too far in front of Gagi. Peterz wins it and rolls it to Anderson right in front of the goal; it’s 4-2.