Oakland Roots leave Lexington stunned on Saturday, falling 2-1 after claiming an initial lead in just the sixth minute of action. The result means Oakland continues its month-long stretch since their last victory, falling behind in the USL Championship Western Conference with just 10 matches left in the season.
Oakland found the back of the net with the first real action of the contest when Neveal Hackshaw played a long ball from down the left side into Peter Wilson, charging towards the net. Wilson played a slick touch with the outside of his left foot, redirecting the ball past Lexington’s keeper to gain the early lead.
After the goal, Roots seemingly sat on their heels for over 80 minutes. In the 82nd minute, Lexington finally broke through with an excellent cross to Cory Burke, towering in for a header to level the match at 1-1.
Momentum stayed with Lexington as the match wound down. In extra time, the home side found the game-winner on a good counterattack that led to an easy cross from the left side, finding Joe Hafferty for the tap-in game-winner.
Roots host Monterey Bay FC at the Coliseum on August 30th as the playoff race tightens.
Playoff push still waiting on Step 1
Phoenix Rising had a dominant 4-1 win over Colorado Springs to move up from the eighth spot in the USL Championship Western Conference. With Phoenix’s win, Roots end the weekend six points back of eighth-place Orange County, which holds one match in hand on 11th-place Oakland.
After an inspiring performance in Sacramento, the games continue to go by without gaining three points. With that, the sight of a playoff berth becomes increasingly distant.
The last time we talked to head coach Benny Feilhaber and center back Kai Greene, both spoke about the urgency for results following their 2-1 loss to Colorado Springs. Now going into their third match since the Switchbacks’ loss, Roots are still looking to accomplish their first step toward the playoff push: winning a game.
“You just can’t lose many games now. If you lose too many games, you’re going to fall behind, and the season will be over before you know it. You have to get results, there’s no other way to dice it up,” Feilhaber said on August 9 after the match against Colorado Springs.
Greene previously talked about the importance of creating “momentum” going into the final stretch.
“This is starting to become a sprint to the finish line. It’s all about momentum; that’s what it is with getting into the playoffs, being the team that established momentum,” Greene said.
Roots seemed to be starting to create some positive energy with strong moments of play in each of the last three matches against Orange County, Colorado Springs, and Sacramento. But with Lexington, Oakland struggled to capitalize, finishing with just two shot attempts in all 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
The defensive shift
Oakland scored in the sixth minute of action, but that was it for their offensive productivity, playing on the back foot for the remaining 84 minutes. Against Lexington, Roots finished with 48 percent of possession and progressively improved from just 33 percent around the half-hour mark in the first half.
Oakland seemed to put most of its focus into playing long balls and passes over the top to Wilson. Roots completed just 33 percent of their long passes, finishing with 13 accurate balls from distance.
Roots’ four touches inside the box were the fewest since Feilhaber’s arrival. In fact, it is the club’s worst mark all season.
Peter Wilson notches fourth in four
Peter Wilson’s seventh goal of the season was a thing of beauty. While on the run, Wilson was able to flick a ball from Hackshaw out of the air to inch it by Lexington’s keeper. Wilson, the Swedish international, pulled a page from fellow countryman Zlatan Ibrahimovic with the precise kick into the net.
Wilson has now scored in each of the last four matches for Roots. His seventh goal ties him for 12th in the league, while he is now tied for 14th with 10 goal contributions when accounting for his three assists.
His score was another glimpse of Wilson’s finishing ability. It required pin-perfect touch, just like his goal against Sacramento. If Roots can make the postseason push, Wilson will have to be a major part of that.
“Peter’s an animal. He’s one of those guys I hate playing against. He’s rapid, strong, and has all the potential in the world. I think really highly of Peter,” Greene said earliert his month.
Trejo misses mark in second match
Perhaps newly acquired forward Danny Trejo opening the match as a substitute was a testament to Feilhaber opting for a defensive approach against Lexington, looking for another late spark after bringing in the attacker at the 61-minute mark.
But Trejo’s arrival couldn’t bring life to an already struggling Oakland side, somewhat feeding into Roots’ troublesome attack.
In 29 minutes plus extra time, Trejo didn’t look as much of a threat to his form in Sacramento, going 0/1 on dribbles and long balls without taking a shot.
Perhaps his best look came in the 74th minute when he jumped on a loose ball and dribbled into the box. Although Trejo built a reputation for his clinical finishing in front of the net, he made an extra pass to look for Wilson across the face of the net. However, the pass was too far behind Wilson, and Roots relinquished possession.
For a side struggling to create consistent goals, it’ll be interesting to see if Trejo breaks through to the starting lineup to get an extended run and build some fluidity.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
One change from the Sacramento match: Wolfgang Prentice gets the start. Aside from that, no changes. Trejo stays on the subs list. Feilhaber runs back Bobosi/Bettache in the midfield.
- Lexington SC
Timeline
OH MY GOD. WILSON SCORES WITH THE FIRST ACTION – 6′
IS THAT ZLATAN?!??! Peter Wilson flicks in a long ball from Neveal Hackshaw. Marks his fourth goal in four games, seventh of the season.
Lexington corner – 11′
Leads to nothing
Lexington corner – 16′
Plays short, ball in to Wu leads to a looping header that jusssssssst misses being on target.
Lexington with 64 percent of ball, taken one shot – 19′
Dangerous ball over the top to Wilson, Gomez nearly jumps on a sloppy pass out – 20′
Lexington free kick – 22′
Foul on Panos about 12ish yards outside the left elbow area of the box. Foul on Lexington.
Lexington shot deflected out for a corner – 23′
Smooth movement from Lexington in transition, leads to a shot that was blocked.
The ensuing corner is headed centrally before being cleared out. Lexington retains possession.
Corner – 27′
Wolfgang draws it along the left side.
Panos lines up over it. Doesn’t make it past the first man. Bettache jumps on possession. Wolfgang eventually sends a pass to no one that goes out the back.
Lexington corner – 33′
Plays short and they eventually work the ball down to the end line. Sergeant’s lightning bolt pass across the face leads to a big chance missed with a first-touch shot that went wide.
Lexington shot blocked – 34′
Kai Greene blocks a hard shot with his head. He’s on the ground.
Lexington corner – 37′
Plays short, pass in blocked out for another corner.
Lexington corner – 38′
Leads to another corner.
Lexington corner – 38′
Ball lands centrally but Gomez clears it out.
McIntosh jumps on a low pass in – 45′
Lexington corner – 45+1′
Leads to a ball cleared out.
Lexington header very wide – 45+2′
McIntosh jumps on loose dribble in the box – 45+4′
First Half Notes:
Oakland Roots score with its only shot attempt when Peter Wilson executed a perfect flick into the net on his first touch. At one point, Oakland had just 33 percent possession, finishing the first half with 45 percent. A defensive approach is evident in the stats, with Lexington having six shots and eight corner.
Damm subs in at halftime – 46′
Prentice comes off.
Wilson called offside on another dangerous run in behind – 54′
McIntosh saves a hard low shot from atop the area – 58
Leads to a corner.
Trejo and Ali coming on – 61′
Panos and Bobosi off.
Lexington corner – 62′
Lexington shoots narrowly wide – 65′
Good dribble around the top of the box.
Lexington header from close distance goes over the net – 68′
Trejo jumps on a loose ball and sends the ball across the face, but misses Wilson. = 74′
Would’ve liked to see him shoot there. Tried to feed Wilson.
Lexington free kick on right side – 75′
A couple of yards from the sideline.
Ball skips around the field, a couple of shots are blocked. Lexington retains possession before committing a foul near the box.
Gomez takes a shot atop the box but it hits Wilson and goes out the back – 80′
Lexington long free kick – 81′
Cleared away.
Lexington goal – 82′
Big header by Burke, totally demolished Roots’ back line. Felt like an equalizer was coming. Lexington has dominated most of the game. Oakland with just two shot attempts after 82 minutes.
Trejo botches possession building toward the box – 88′
Not the best second game for him.
Gibson on for Bettache – 89′
Riley on for Hackshaw – 90+2′
Lexington takes the win – 90+2′
Ball in from the end line to in front of the net for the tap-in by Hafferty. That’s tough, Lexington steals the three points.
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