Whew, that was fun. Oakland Roots and Sacramento Republic continue to prove they have the league’s best rivalry, ending the NorCal Derby in the third 3-3 tie of the rivalry’s history. It marked Roots’ highest scoring game all season, marking the first time they scored three in a match since beating Las Vegas 3-2 in October of last year.
Danny Gomez scored the game’s first goal to put Oakland ahead in the 10th minute when Morey Doner played a cross from near the right corner of the box to the front of the net. Julian Bravo missed contact on a shot attempt, leading to the ball ricocheting off Gomez’s knee of Gomez and into the net. However, Sacramento spoiled Oakland’s party seven minutes later when Roro Lopez curled a free kick over Roots’ wall and past Kendall McIntosh’s dive.
Sacramento took a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute when excellent ball movement found Cristian Parano wheeling toward the six-yard box, sending a well-place shot around McIntosh.
But right before half, Peter Wilson leveled the match in the 45th minute with an excellent finish. In the buildup, Faysal Bettach sent a long ball from about 20 yards outside the box to Peter Wilson in front of the Sacramento net. Wilson took the ball off his chest to settle it in front of the right post, sending before sending a rocket above Danny Vitiello’s head to equalize 2-2.
Sacramento reclaimed the lead in the 54th when Russel Cicerone fired a shot from atop Roots’ penalty area past McIntosh’s outstretched dive. Roots weren’t done. In the 87th minute, Panos Armenakas delivered an inch-perfect cross to Jürgen Damm, making a run to land a header goal.
The result keeps Oakland in 11th place in the USL Championship Western Conference. They are set to visit seventh-place Lexington next Saturday, August 23, in another critical conference match.
Panos Armenakas excellence
Panos Armenakas was excellent for Oakland Roots. His pinpoint pass to Damm for the third goal equalizer was a thing of beauty, hyping up Roots fans in section 111 moments before finding the assist.
His heatmap shows someone who was in use on both left and right sides, sending long passes into the box from outside the area.
He generated four created chances on the night, finishing with seven passes completed into the final third, 4/4 long balls, and one successful dribble.
Danny Trejo looked dangerous
It was a small sample size, but Danny Trejo looked like someone ready to make an impact. There were moments he demanded the ball, and when he did, he worked his magic around defenders with ease.
Trejo entered in the 73rd minute and got involved with 14 touches, including two in Sacramento’s penalty area. He drew a corner just one minute after he arrived in the match on a dribble in the Republic’s box.
He took a shot in the 85th that was deflected out for a corner following a nice dribble in the box. Then, late in the match at the 90+3′ mark, Trejo sent a dangerous cross to the back post, but it was punched away by Danny Vitiello.
Trejo was only credited with one successful dribble in four attempts, but his willingness to take defenders on could certainly be a new wrinkle in Roots’ system. It’ll be interesting to see how Benny Feilhaber can get Trejo unlocked in the final 11 matches.
Peter Wilson’s stellar finish
Peter Wilson’s goal right before halftime required a lot of individual brilliance. Taking the ball off his chest and allowing it to settle before following through with a fierce strike in close distance with Vitiello required the finish that Roots’ fans have been begging him for.
Since his debacle against Phoenix Rising, Wilson has now logged goals in his last three appearances versus Loudoun, Switchbacks, and Republic.
The score gives him seven on the season, while his three assists give him 10 goal contributions. He ranks 12th in the league in both categories.
Felhaber spoke about Wilson following his goal against Colorado Springs last week, noting the striker is beginning to come into his own.
“Goals are a big part, and he’s scored in the last two that he’s played. That’s a massive weight off his back,” Feilhaber said. “He felt it in prior games that he didn’t get a goal when he had chances, so it’s great to see him finish those opportunities.”
More critical six-pointers ahead
With points left on the field, the schedule doesn’t let up for Oakland Roots, with each of the remaining 11 matches becoming more critical as the days roll on to climb out of 11th.
Of the remaining schedule, Roots face eight Western Conference teams with just Las Vegas Lights below them in the standings. They will visit seventh-place Lexington next on August 23, host Monterey on August 30 and FC Tulsa on September 20, visit Phoenix on September 27, Las Vegas on October 11, and New Mexico on October 19, and finish the season with Lexington at home on October 25.
NorCal Hella Cup
Some may have noticed this graphic floating around social media of the “NorCal Hella Cup.” Based on my sources amongst Roots’ supporters groups, here’s what I know.
The Cup is between the three Northern California USL Championship teams: Oakland Roots, Sacramento Republic, and Monterey Bay FC. Only USL Championship matches impact the standings, so U.S. Open Cup or USL Jägermeister Cup results don’t play a part.
It’s essentially four matches apiece. Wins give you three points; the main tiebreaker is goal differential. From what I hear, a trophy is in the works.
The standings for this year’s Hella Cup are as follows:
- Sacramento Republic: 2-1-0 (7 points), 5 goals scored, 3 goals allowed
- Monterey Bay FC: 1-0-1 (3 points), 3 goals scored, 3 goals allowed
- Oakland Roots 0-1-2 (1 point), 5 goals scored, 7 goals allowed
Oakland Roots are essentially done and can finish with a max of four with a win over Monterey on August 30. MBFC still has matches against Roots and Sacramento, so they can still finish with a max of nine points to win the inaugural NorCal Hella Cup. Republic wins the title with a win or tie against Monterey.
I’m a nerd, so I went ahead and tabulated what the outcomes of past Hella Cups were since 2022, when Monterey Bay joined the USL Championship. Based on the results, Sacramento Republic would be on the verge of a four-peat with titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The highest Oakland Roots would’ve finished was second-place in 2023–beating Monterey by one goal with a -1 goal differential.
RootsBlog Players of the Match: the traveling support
Oakland Roots fans showed out in section 111 at Heart Health Park, singing and chanting for all 90 minutes plus stoppage time. It’s always a party when La Union 1852 goes on the road, and they certainly brought the energy from before the opening whistle until after the final. With that, we’re giving Roots’ traveling support and La Union 1852 our RootsBlog Players of the Match award.
I’ve always said Roots supporters remain undefeated. That certainly rang true tonight.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Faysal Bettache and Bobosi Byaruhanga get the starts, moving Ali Elmasnaouy and Tyler Gibson to the bench for the first time under Benny Feilhaber. Aside from that, no changes. Danny Trejo gets his campaign started on the bench.
- Sacramento Republic
Timeline
Cicerone forces a corner for Sac – 7′
Sac corner- 7′
leads to nothing. Initial ball cleared by Gagi
ROOTS GOAL – 10′
Doner sends in a pass from the wing and it skips centrally to Danny Gomez. The ball makes contact with his knee and it trickles into the net. Not sure if it was on purpose, but a goal is a goal!
Faysal sends a shot very high but good touchwork prior to unloading a rocket to the sky – 16′
Sac free kick good area – 17′
about 2 yards outside the box on the right side. Roro Lopez scores a worldie, hitting it near post past McIntosh dive.
Sac free kick along right sidelinen- 20′
Ball in retained by Sac
Sac draws another free kick in a good area – 22′
This time on the left side. Leads to a goal kick
Gagi with a big header in front straight to Vitiello – 26′
good chance missed. If it’s a foot left or right, its in
Faysal shot blocked – 31′
Sac pulls ahead, give and go down the right side to Parano – 34′
defense really turned inside out there. Good interplay
Sac free kick – 36′
on right side about 25 yards outside the box. Gurr ball cleared.
Free kick good area – 38′
About 15ish yards outside the box.
leads to a corner
Corner – 39′
Doner eventually takes a longshot on target. Goes to Vitiello’s feet
WILSON OH MY GOD – 45′
PETER WILSON OH MY. He brings down a longball with his chest, let’s it touch the ground, then sets a laser above Vitiello to tie it around 2-2 right before halftime.
First half notes:
ITS A DERBY BAYBAY. It’s tied 2-2 with back and forth action. Oakland dominating possession with 64 percent of the ball, could easily be leading 3- or 4-2. Wilson with the best goal of his year thus far, and absolute touch of class in front of the net. Roots with 6 shots, 4 on target. Sac with 3 shots, scored on both shots on target, drawing free kicks in dangerous areas.
Sac corner – 50′
Play short, moves around the box until Gomez kicks it out.
Big save by McIntosh – 51′
shot by Cicerone goes to McIntosh’ feet
Cicerone launches one in – 54′
Long ball finds Cicerone in transition and Kai Greene on an island. Cicerone cuts inside, whips a shot atop the box. Clinical finishing.
Wolfy on for Bravo – 58′
Bobosi longshot deflects out for a corner- 62′
Corner from Gomez, cleared back to Gomez, another pass cleared. Kai tries for a bike
Wilson draws free kick right above area on right side – 63′
Panos ball in, someone called offside.
Corner – 71′
Wolfy good to draw it. Panos ball skims Gagi’s heads. Roots retain, leads to a long ball by Doner claimed by Vitiello
Another good buildup, but Doner pass goes out the back – 73′
Trejo on – 73′
Faysal off
Trejo draws a corner- 74′
Gagi playing toward the front – 75′
Jurgen, Riley and Ali coming on – 84′
Doner, Kai, and Gomez off
Trejo shot blocked draws a corner- 85′
Good dribble into the box by Trejo. Looked dangerous. Panos bad pass on the corner
Damm draws a corner – 87′
PANOS BALL IN IS PERFECT, HEADER GOAL BY DAMM OH MY GOD.
Sac free kick- 90+2′
Gagi cleared
Dangerous counter – 90+3′
Panos great work in transition, finds Riley who finds Trejo.
Trejo sends a dangerous ball to the back post, Vitiello clear away
Wolfy sails an attempt – 90+6′
Wolfy targets Trejo for a header – 90+7′
Riley ends game with longshot on volley wide