Roots were able to secure a crucial victory versus Monterey Bay FC, earning the full six-point swing to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 1-nil victory. The win marked Roots’ first since beating Loudoun back on July 19, moving them to 10th in the standings and just three points back of eighth-place New Mexico for the final playoff spot.
“The result is the most important thing at this point of the season. We talk about growing over the course of the season, and today was a massive three-pointer for us,” coach Benny Feilhaber said. “It’s less about the six-point game against Monterey and more about the other four teams we need to pass to get into the playoffs.”
Oakland got on the board in the 34th minute when Morey Doner whipped in a low shot from a couple of yards atop the box. In the buildup, a throw-in on the left side was played into Faysal Bettache, who sent a pass to Doner about 25 yards outside of the penalty area. Doner dribbled around his nearest defender before uncorking a rocket to the left post.
Roots held Monterey Bay without a shot on target through the first half, while MBFC finished the night with two shots on target out of 15 attempts.
Oakland looks to build a two-game winning streak to continue helping their playoff odds, hosting Eastern Conference foe Pittsburgh Riverhounds next Sunday, September 7th.
Here are our talking points coming out of Saturday’s win.
Lessons learned
With the clock ticking away in Roots’ 1-nil over Monterey, memories of their recent 2-1 loss to Lexington SC last week were unavoidable. In their previous game, Oakland claimed an early 1-0 lead on the Kentucky side in the sixth minute but sat on their heels for the remaining 84 minutes. This time, Oakland kept the pedal down and still looked aggressive as the match wound down, despite not scoring any more goals.
“I thought we became prisoners of the moment against Lexington, where we scored an early goal and defended for our lives for a long period of time. We didn’t want to do that tonight,” Feilhaber said. “I think the last 15-20 minutes, we were able to get a grasp on things, not give up opportunities, and kill clock–which is all a big part of seeing results out. Incredibly professional performance in the second half, but we’d like to turn one goal into two.”
Doner mentioned that sitting defensively against Lexington helped propel their confidence as the match wore on. It became a topic of conversation in training leading to Saturday’s match against Monterey.
“When you sit back defensively, you lose a lot of confidence. Against Lexington, we sat back too much, and that gave them a lot more confidence. This week, we talked about keeping our own confidence and playing higher. We give time and space on the ball; the opposition can hurt you in different ways,” Doner said.
Monterey certainly had its looks with two big chances missed, but the contrast with the recent loss in Lexington was how Oakland looked to kill the game off instead of sustaining endless pressure.
“There are reminders of past matches every week. A big one against Lexington for the players to realize is that we need to play the way that we want to eventually play. Getting a goal and sitting defensively is not how we envision this team playing for the remainder of this year and into the future,” Feilhaber said. “Yes, we need to defend in moments, clear our box, block shots, block crosses, and so on, but we want to find our own game within that. We want to possess, we want to counter, and can our counter create a scoring opportunity? There were moments we did that okay and moments we had a difficult time finding our own game within the game.”
Even with the previous 3-3 draw against Sacramento, although Roots put together an attractive product on the field, there were many moments to improve. One thing Feilhaber has grown concerned with is Oakland’s tendency to allow goals in bunches.
“I think the biggest thing is mentality,” Feilhaber said. “We give up two goals back-to-back a lot, that’s a mentality thing. Colorado Springs, we gave up one right before half and one after. We gave up two in the first half to Sacramento, and we gave up two to Lexington, one after another. We even gave up two straight against Phoenix.”
Feilhaber reiterated that he thinks Roots need to fix their mentality after giving up goals.
“We have a tendency to be bummed out when we give up a goal. The game is 90 minutes, you can’t think the game is over. I think those moments have been what really cause us problems. If you take away one of those goals in each of them, the results change. At the end of the day, the players need to grasp those moments. It’s things we talk about, the response we want when we score or give up goals. Even today, I think we got lucky in certain moments.”
Morey Doner, revenge-match killer
Three months since his acquisition, Morey Doner has revitalized himself into becoming one of Roots’ best playmakers. Once more, he now gets the chance to play in front of his mother.
“You always have a chip on your shoulder going up against a team you’ve been on,” Doner said. “When I decided to make a change in my career and go to Detroit, for whatever reason, the coach wasn’t favoring me, but that’s football and business. Success isn’t always a straight line. I got the chance to be closer to home and play in front of my mom every week. The opportunity to come back to California was something I couldn’t pass up.”
There’s nothing quite like playing your former team, and for Doner, enacting revenge appears to be a unique skill set of his. Doner, who played in Monterey from 2022 to 2024, has now scored in both Roots’ 2-1 and 1-0 wins over his former team, while he was also a starter in Oakland’s 2-0 win over Detroit.
“It’s funny how that works. I went through a difficult time in Detroit,” Doner said. “Of course [there’s some extra juice in the game], I get messages, and playing in Monterey was one of the happiest times of my career. But things don’t last forever. Right now, playing in Oakland is super positive for me.”
Feilhaber certainly understands the revenge mojo Doner is thriving on. Before arriving in Oakland, Benny played on Des Moines Menace’s U.S. Open Cup team against the former club he coached, Sporting KC II, helping Des Moines pull off a 2-1 upset win.
“You’d have to ask them, but I’ve played against teams I’ve been on, and 100 percent; it always means a little bit more,” Feilhaber said. “I think you always have that juice to play your former team.”
Danny Trejo unlikely to play next week
Recent acquisition Danny Trejo missed Saturday’s game after being listed with a lower-body injury. On the broadcast, announcers said Trejo was considered “week-to-week.”
Feilhaber clarified Trejo’s availability going forward, saying he is “very unlikely” to play against Pittsburgh, is “50/50” to go against Charleston, while their “target date” will likely be September 20 against FC Tulsa.
“I do think he’ll be back in the next 2-3 games, but it’s really, really unlikely that we see him this next weekend. He’s 50/50 for Charleston, and the hope is he’ll be back against Tulsa at home. Tulsa is probably the target date if he rehabs really well, but very unlikely next week,” Feilhaber said.
Urgency on with nine more Finals
“Urgency” was a topic last time we spoke to Feilhaber after Roots’ loss to Colorado Springs back on August 9. Tonight’s game became the first win in a month and a half for Oakland, and it couldn’t have come at a more critical time. In fact, all of the remaining nine matches could each be considered “must-win” as they look to inch back to eighth in the table.
During his time as Roots’ gaffer, Feilhaber has proven to be an energetic coach on the sidelines. Perhaps only Juan Guerra was a more vocal coach for Oakland, who often walked up and down the touch line screaming out to players.
On Saturday night, there was even more energy from Benny.
Feilhaber usually has a visual approach, using his hands to instruct players where to go and what to do, like a conductor leading an orchestra. Against Monterey, the coach was often jumping after critical moments or slapping the board in frustration.
As Feilhaber said, Saturday’s game reminded him of his first in charge, adding he felt a need to push players toward the finish.
“I compared it to my first game here. This is the most exhausted I felt after a game,” Feilhaber said. “I think a big part of it is I do see an extra need to push from the mental perspective. We have quality as a team, but sometimes we fall asleep for a split second. I wanted us to be active and just yell out motivational things. Sometimes that’s a part of a coach, and I felt being vocal was a big part of what I needed to do for the group tonight.”
RootsBlog Player of the Match: Morey Doner
We name Morey Doner our RootsBlog Player of the Match for scoring Oakland Roots’ game-winning goal in the first half.
Doner is officially a revenge-game killer. Since joining Roots, he scored in both wins over Monterey, while he also started in the win over Detroit.
Press Conference
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Oakland Roots enter with two changes from their last match, with Julian Bravo and Jurgen Damm getting the start. Bobosi also moves to the bench, so I’m curious to see Damm’s alignment with Morey Doner also included. Bettache gets his third straight start, and he’s made an impact since his arrival.
Ivan: Damm and Bravo are the starting fullbacks. Armenakas drops back to CM at the expense of Byaruhanga. Gomez moves inside, with Doner and Bettache moving up to the wings either side of Wilson (at the expense of Prentice).
Johnson returns to the bench as Trejo is injured. Otherwise, it’s the same 18 players available for Oakland tonight.
- Monterey Bay FC
Ivan: From 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 as Horup makes way for a second striker to start, this being Scott
This rivalry matchup should be intense as only 3 points will do for both sides!
Timeline
Corner – 4′
Cleared out.
MB free kick – 6′
Corner – 9′
cleared to top of the box but Roots retain.
Ivan – 10’
Tarik Scott broke through the middle of the field but lost control of the ball approaching the box. Monterey’s first real sign of threatening the defense.
Ivan – 13′
Roots enjoyed a couple of shots inside the box but Monterey’s defense remained resolute. Need to be more aggressive and clinical.
Chaos on the box – 14′
Hackshaw chips it in toward Wilson, keeper rushes off his line to punch it away. Hackshaw re-directs it back toward the net, but its cleared away.
MB dangerous ball across the face – 16′
Ivanovic burns by Gagi on the right side, sends a pass across the face but no one gets on the end of it.
Ivan:
Luke Ivanovic crushes Gagi for pace, but the Australian puts his shot out for a throw in. Enough said.
Roots with 75% possession so far – 19′
Panos blocks a shot – 19′
McIntosh jumps on a low cross near the net – 20′
Corner – 22′
Cleared away.
Ivan:
Morey Doner’s initial shot is saved by Campuzano, and his second attempt earns a corner. The service is booted clear by a Monterey player.
MB shot wide – 24′
Doner dangerous pass targets Bravo at the far post, it’s cleared away – 27′
MB free kick – 28′
On right side, about 18 yards outside the elbow area of box. Ball in cleared away but MB retain.
Mb misses huuuuuge change – 28′
Guzman targets John Klein at the near post, header goes narrowly wide. Big chance missed.
Ivan:
Free kick for Monterey about 15 yards outside of the box with 6 players committed in the box on offense. The second effort sees Carlos Guzman deliver a brilliant cross to John Klein’s head and he puts it wide. Monterey has had the best chances to score so far, and that’s bad news for Oakland’s game and season.
Ivan – 30’
Long throw in by Neveal Hackshaw but the keeper punches out and a foul ends the Oakland attack.
Ivan – 32’
A bit of a hairy situation at the back but Kendall McIntosh comes up just in time to diffuse the situation.
DONER WHAT A SHOT – 34′
Morey Doner gets the ball around 20 yards above the box and speeds by a defender before uncorking a low rocket to the left post. ROOTS LEAD
Ivan:
It had to be that man! Morey Doner cuts inside getting a step on Mobi Fehr just outside the box, and he finishes low right beyond the reach of Nicolas Campuzano! Oakland Roots lead the Battle of the Bays 1-0!
Peter Wilson goal was wiped – 37′
Gomez forced a mistake and the ball deflects to Wilson. Gomez called offside.
Ivan:
Almost a quickfire double courtesy of Peter Wilson, but the flag is up! Still a great response by the Roots after Monterey looked the sharper of the two in the opening half an hour.
MB skims another header wide – 38′
They are getting looks but not finishing the header chances.
Gomez first-touch shot outside the box forces a diving save – 40′
Ball rebounds to Bravo and he sends a shot into orbit.
Bravo sends another ball way off target, not sure if that was a pass or shot – 41′
MB corner – 43′
Ball cleared to outside the box. Shot blocked but MB retains.
Doner long dribble, draws a corner – 45′
Corner – 45′
Panos ball finds no one, leads to a counterattack.
Ivan:
Hackshaw drove a shot inside into traffic and that sprung a Monterey counter attack. They couldn’t whip in a dangerous ball into the box as it looped high enough for the Oakland defense to contain it.
Morey another good dribble down to the end line – 45+2′
First half notes:
Oakland Roots lead 1-0 with some individual brilliance by Morey Doner. Roots controlling possession with nearly 70% possession, 8 shots, 3 on target, and 11 touches in the box. Monterey drawing chances on the counter with 6 shots, none on target, missed a big chance, 12 touches in the box.
MB corner – 48′
MB shot deflected leads to a corner – 50′
Ivan: First set piece of the half goes to the visitors. A dangerous ball pinballs toward Kendall McIntosh who makes a brave reaction save and appears to catch someone’s foot. Thankfully, McIntosh is quick to get up. Pierce Gallaway is appropriately branded with a yellow card.
McIntosh makes a big save, someone called for a foul after – 51′
MB corner – 57′
called offside.
Bobosi on for Bravo – 57′
Ivan:
Kai Greene put Doner in an uncomfortable position near the byline, but with some composed passing out the back, they got Monterey to flail and concede a throw in of there own. More of that calmness under pressure and that’s half the remaining job done.57’ Bobosi Byaruhanga comes in for Julian Bravo, which should push Daniel Gomez out wide as Byaruhanga shores up an otherwise strictly attack minded midfield.Also, Monterey make two chances. Fonguck and Gindiri in for Gallaway (on a yellow) and Ivanovic (a quiet afternoon barring one opportunity)
MB free kick- 58′
MB called for a foul on McIntosh
Big save McIntosh – 60′
Another counter. MB dribbles into the box and cuts inside for a shot. Goes straight to the feet of McIntosh
9,871 announced attendance
MB another corner – 62′
Wolfgang and Gibson preparing to enter – 65′
Damm and Bettache off
MB free kick – 70′
About 15 yards outside of elbow area on right side. Leads to nothing
Ivan:
Roots surge in attack through midfield but it becomes header tennis for a while until a Monterey counter attack ensues and yields a corner.
MB corner – 72′
Looping header way high
Free kick good area – 73′
play short to Wolfy, sends dangerous ball across face of net
Ivan:
Wolfgang Prentince had a few opportunities to squeeze a ball into Daniel Gomez at the penalty spot, but Monterey’s 3 defenders were enough to repel the service.
Free kick – 75′
MB misses another huuuuuge chance – 82′
1-o-1 with McIntosh and he rolls it a yard wide or the right post
Ivan:
A lot of discussion preceded the referee dropping the ball for Monterey Bay to resume play. That’ll factor into stoppage time. Shortly after play resumed, Paul Gindiri put a great opportunity wide. If Monterey make the hour and a half drive back home without a point or even three, they only have themselves to blame.
Obvious dive by Panos im box – 84′
Ivan:
Nicolas Gordon the Montserrat international makes a precise challenge that Roots supporters thought was a penalty, but it was clean. He got the ball out of there to perfection. On the other end, Kendall McIntosh claims a looping ball to end the threat.
Riley and EJ entering forn- 87′
Wilson and Doner off
Gagi down with cramps – 90+2′
Ej draws free kick – 90+3′
Ball eventually falls to EJ on right side on top of box. He takes a shot that goes straight to the keepers face
Wolf draws foul near corner – 90+6′
“Obviously, we talk about growing along the course of the season, and along the course of the 19 games that I’ll be in charge of during the league.” — does this mean BF isn’t coming back? Maybe it was just post-match tiredness but that’s –interesting– phrasing from a coach only signed until the end of the season — it would be a huge loss to lose him