Oakland Roots announced they’ve acquired defender Morey Doner in a transfer with Detroit City FC.
Doner comes to Oakland as a USL Championship veteran. He was an every-game starter for Monterey Bay FC from 2022 to 2024, appearing in all 34 league matches each season.
Primarily listed as a right back throughout his career, Doner could slot into the same role with Roots. He appeared in similar formations as Oakland during his time with MBFC, starting in both back-three and back-four sets.
Given his position, Doner will likely compete with Abdi Mohamed for time and can provide a defensive-minded option along the right side that contrasts with Jurgen Damm. He could also allow Camden Riley to play his natural positions in the midfield and at center back with more frequency.
The blog reached out to The Union Report, describing Doner as: “He often sparked the attack by streaking down his side, receiving the ball and helping establish set pieces. It did seem sometimes that he was reluctant to shoot and was more comfortable passing off. Total gamer, total pro.”
So what are Roots getting in Doner?
Doner comes to Oakland after earning spot minutes at Detroit City, appearing six times with one league start for 239 minutes. Perhaps Doner wasn’t a system fit in Detroit and brings a skillset that can produce in Gavin Glinton’s operation. In his previous years at Monterey Bay, Doner excelled as a long passer, which fits Roots’ scheme.
In 2024, Doner was among the most accurate players in the league on long passes. His 3.56 accurate long balls per match ranked in the top 12.3 percent of players, while his 59.8 percent success rate was in the top 6.8 percent. He also logged 2.29 long balls per match in 2023 at 51 percent accuracy.
He was also successful on the dribble last year, averaging 1.29 dribbles per match. Doner won 60 percent of his duels in 2024 as well.
Compared to Mohamed, he’s completed just 26.5 percent of his long passes at 2.05 per match. Doner created 1.02 scoring chances per game in 2024 to Mohamed’s 0.23 so far this season.
Doner, 31, began his career at Durham United FC in League 1 Ontario in 2014 and later joined Palm Beach Suns FC of the USL Premier Development League in 2016. From there, he returned to League 1 Ontario with Aurora FC from 2016-2018.
He signed his first professional contract in the Canadian Premier League in 2019 with York9 from 2019-2020, making 32 appearances for the club and logging 2,880 minutes. HFX Wanderers of the CPL signed him to a one-year deal in 2021, starting 20 times.
Monterey Bay FC signed him to a contract in February 2022, starting every USL Championship match for them through 2024. MBFC transferred him to Detroit City in December.
For his professional career, Doner has appeared in 160 matches and started 155 times for 14,010 minutes, recording five goals and 17 assists.