Oakland Roots come away with a point after tying New Mexico United 3-3. This time, it was Roots responding to a deficit to keep the home side from climbing to second place in the USL Championship Western Conference.
Within the first five minutes of the match, Oakland had rung the left post twice when Tyler Gibson jumped on a failed pass out of New Mexico’s box, and it cycles wide to Denny Trejo. That’s when Trejo took a shot that deflected off the New Mexico keeper and onto the left post. It bounced back to Gibson atop the box, who hit a shot on the volley that smacked off the left post for a second time.
Against the run of play, however, Mukwelle Akale delivered New Mexico the first lead of the contest when a sloppy turnover near Roots’ own penalty area gave United space to work in the box in the 13th minute.
But just a couple of minutes later, Gagi Margvelashvili drew a penalty shortly after winning back possession after committing a turnover. Gagi worked his way into the box, leading to Zico Bailey clipping his ankle. Peter Wilson stepped to the spot, slotting his first goal to the left of the keeper to notch his 16th goal of the season–tying it 1-1 in the 16th.
But New Mexico quickly got back to the lead. Dayonn Harris looked to play a pass across the face of the net, leading to Neveal Hackshaw inadvertently footing the ball into his own net to give United a 2-1 lead in the 19th.
New Mexico stretched their lead to 3-1 when they were awarded a penalty of their own after Ali Elmasnaouy was beaten in the box and called for a foul on Akale. Jon-Talen Maples converted from the spot in the 28th minute to give his side a two-goal cushion.
The high-powered first half wasn’t over with Roots claiming another penalty in the 39th minute. Bobosi Byaruhanga played a perfect pass through New Mexico’s back line to find Wilson charging into the area. It led to the United defender knocking Wilson in the back to commit the penalty.
Wilson took his second PK, going the opposite direction to take sole possession of the Golden Boot lead with his 17th goal of the season, making it a 3-2 deficit in the 41st minute.
Oakland leveled the match in the waning moments of regulation time after Wilson settled the ball off his chest in the New Mexico box, leaving it at the feet of Gagi Margvelashvili–sending a rocket off the volley into the net, tying it at 3-3 in the 82nd minute.
Here are our talking points coming out of Sunday’s match.
Peter Wilson, club legend
To you, Roots fan, are you ready to call Peter Wilson a club legend? Because, by the numbers, he’s accomplished that on an individual basis.
Wilson logged two goals and one assist, putting him up to 17 goals and 21 goal contributions. While he’s leading the Golden Boot race, he’s also just one more goal contribution short of matching Cal Jennings’ 22.
His 21 goal contributions officially ties Ottar Magnus Karlsson’s single-season club record in 2022 when he logged 19 goals and two assists.
Today’s performance marked his third brace of the season. It matches Johnny Rodriguez’ three two-goal performances in 2024, while Karlsson logged four in 2022.
Wilson has undoubtedly put together one of the greatest individual seasons in club history, and if he should achieve the Golden Boot. Given Ottar is widely regarded as Roots’ greatest striker of all time, perhaps Wilson has already solidified deserved placement among the club’s all-time best players.
One for Benny, and another for the road
You’d never know it.
But, buddy, I’m a kind of poet.
And I got a lot of things I’d like to say.
Well, RootsFam, one game left. Here we go.
2025 has been quite the trip. Last season ended with a first-round playoff exit under Gavin Glinton, leading to a statement from the supporters group faction of La Union 1852, demanding changes to correct years of ineptitude.
The club responded by balking at the SG’s demands. They stayed the course with Glinton and signed several high-profile players in what became the club’s highest payroll in its young lifespan.
But the plan floundered.
Glinton was fired just 11 games into the league’s regular season on June 2. Benny Feilhaber was tasked with waving a magic wand over an imbalanced roster, deleting an old system, and installing a new one on the fly.
Now, 11 months after the statement, Roots suffered another failed season. But this time, there seems to be a shift in accepting the blame.
What does that mean for Oakland going into arguably the club’s most important offseason of all time?
Roots fans have been vocal about their support of Benny Feilhaber, appreciating that he’s been the only person in club history to tell its fans that things — in fact — are not close to being perfect. He was clear in his assessment of the roster, saying depth issues have held them back, and the personnel essentially confirmed what analysts saw.
Although his record has been worse than when Noah Delgado and Glinton served under interim tags, Feilhaber visibly created a successful attack and has a feather in his cap for helping elevate Wilson to the top of the league in scoring. Under Glinton, Wilson had just two goals and three assists in the league. Feilhaber found a way to get Wilson in the best position to capitalize as a poacher, logging 15 goals and an assist during their time together.
It’s difficult to gauge when Roots will make their decision on the head coaching spot. They announced Glinton’s official hiring 13 days after their playoff loss, while Delgado was re-hired five weeks after their postseason exit in 2022.
But going into 2026, Barenz’s statement continues to ring in my mind. Particularly these words: “We’ve learned a lot — about our team, our direction, and what needs to change. That work has already begun.”
What does this mean for Benny? Will he be in the pole position for the job, similar to his predecessors?
“We’ve learned a lot — about our team, our direction, and what needs to change. That work has already begun.”
Maybe Feilhaber’s honest evaluation of the club in the press conference following their 3-1 loss to Hartford was a clue that he sees the writing on the wall regarding Roots’ decision.
Knowing Feilhaber was essentially given a 6-month “prove it” contract, it’s looking more like Benny stepped into an impossible task. He installed an attacking-minded system, got results, and learned their personnel woes were too much to overcome — especially on the defensive side.
Perhaps his short-term deal was a sign that Oakland is dealing with the scars of its past, and a future at the club is only possible if Feilhaber facilitates an unrealistic rise. It all comes back to the club’s decision-making throughout its existence at the head coaching spot.
“We’ve learned a lot — about our team, our direction, and what needs to change. That work has already begun.”
Up until Feilhaber, Roots never hired a head coach with prior experience in the role on a professional level. They still have never hired a coach who has previously held a head coaching role in the USL Championship.
Paul Bravo was the team’s first manager in 2019. Technical director Jordan Ferrell then took over in the spring of 2020 before Dario Pot was hired as head coach in 2021 for their first year in the USL. Pot was fired two weeks before the season started, thrusting Ferrell into the interim role.
Juan Guerra was hired away from Phoenix Rising for 2022, then left for Phoenix with nine games left in the season. Delgado took over as interim and landed the full-time job in 2023. Glinton was named interim head coach in 2024, promoted for 2025, then fired during the season for Feilhaber.
Delgado and Glinton were sacked with years left on their contracts.
“We’ve learned a lot — about our team, our direction, and what needs to change. That work has already begun.”
It’s fair to call each of Pot, Guerra, Delgado, Glinton, and Feilhaber risky choices; taking coaches with not a ton of experience to see if they can provide a breakthrough and become the next “big thing” on the American soccer circuit.
I truly think Feilhaber has a future as a coach in the world soccer landscape and would do well in Oakland if given complete control of personnel choices.
His background with the United States Men’s National Team, European football, and Major League Soccer gives him a deep understanding of how to develop players. You can hear it in his interviews, sounding like a mad scientist when discussing how a midfielder operates.
Benny found a way to maximize a striker in Peter Wilson, perhaps the most important position in the sport. He proved he can get the most out of a midfield prospect like Ali Elmasnaouy, earning his first professional contract in the process of his breakout season. He figured out how to unlock Panos Armenakas and utilize his best qualities. He revitalized Gagi Margvelashvili from being a castoff to an every-game starter.
There are certainly more examples of success scattered around.
Regardless of what happens with Feilhaber, I truly believe that he will be able to use the experience he gained in Oakland to his benefit and has the game film to prove how he invigorated several different position groups amidst a shoddy roster.
I think that if Feilhaber returns and has full input in the roster-building process, he can put together a project the fans could believe in. The signs are there.
But, again, these words hit me: “We’ve learned a lot — about our team, our direction, and what needs to change. That work has already begun.”
For Roots, the winds of change that should’ve blown after 2024 are overdue, and are now gusting at the organization’s front door.
They can’t guess anymore. They can’t take risks. They need to think conventionally. They need to create positive momentum in the Bay Area sports market.
With the possibility of Promotion/Relegation in 2027, Roots would be staring relegation in the eyes.
And for Feilhaber, that inner turmoil could be the primary thing working against him. Is potential enough to push him over the line, or is ‘potential’ the exact thought process that has spurned the club time and again?
I’ll be looking forward to our season-finale chat with Feilhaber, where we’ll be able to ask him about his future.
Whatever way Saturday goes, at least Roots made it interesting.
So, make it one more for Benny, one more for Peter, and one more for the road.
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Only one change for Oakland Roots with Panos Armenakas out; Kai Greene enters the starting lineup for the first time since September 7 against Pittsburgh. I’m interested to see how that changes the operation and who lines up at left back. The front line, once again, looks like Danny Trejo on the left, Faysal Bettache on the right, with Peter Wilson in the center. Today pretty much represents Wilson’s opportunity to catch Cal Jenning in the Golden Boot race. LET’S GO WILSON!
- New Mexico United
Timeline
Roots hit the post twice, as the feed cuts in and out – 5′
Tyler Gibson jumps on a failed pass out of New Mexico’s box and it cycles wide to Trejo–who takes a shot that hits the post. It bounces back to Gibson atop the box, who hits a shot on the volley that hits off the left post for a second time.
Trejo shot on target, good feed by Bettache – 8′
Hits another hard shot that’s saved by the keeper.
New Mexico goal – 13′
A great goal by Mukwelle Akale. Failed pass out by Gagi enables Dayonn Harris to recover a roll a pass out wide to Akale. In a one-on-one, Akale shakes Kai Greene free to hit a shot to the far post.
GAGI DRAWS A PENALTY – 15′
Gagi wins possession back off of Zico Bailey, dribbles into the box and gets fouled by Bailey.
Peter Wilson penalty – 16′
Peter Wilson steps to the spot, going for 16th. He rolls it to the left side of the keeper, well-taken penalty. He’s tied for the Golden Boot lead!
Own goal on Hackshaw – 19′
Just like that, New Mexico back on top with an own-goal on Neveal Hackshaw. Harris looks to roll a ball across the face, and Hackshaw touched it into his own net.
New Mexico draws a penalty – 27′
Akale beat Elmasnaouy, dribbling into the box. Ali makes a bad tackle trying to recover, and makes clear contact.
Roots long free kick – 30′
Long passes into the box lead to nothing.
Good work out of their own end by Roots, Elmasnaouy hits the crossbar – 32′
Wilson played well in behind. He takes a few dribbles toward the frame and tries to send a pass across the face. I would’ve liked him to be selfish and go for the shot earlier, knowing you can go atop the league.
Ball cycles to Elmasnaouy, who sends a shot from the top of the box to the crossbar. Nearly scored a worldie.
Shortly after, Bobosi subbed in for Elmasnaouy.
Bobosi shot takes a deflection and saved by GK – 34′
Hackshaw airmails a shot – 38′
PETER DRAWS A PENALTY – 39′
Bobosi feeds Wilson running into the box, and he takes a shove in the back by Ryden after one dribble into the area.
Peter steps to the spot, going for No. 17 and the Golden Boot lead – 40′
HE TAKES A GREAT SHOT, SENDS IT TO THE RIGHT AFTER A HOP STEP. PETER WILSON TO THE GOLDEN BOOT LEAD
Wilson now with his third brace of the season. One goal away from club history.
Bobosi sends a rocket from distance – 45+2′
Bobosi launches a missile; he loves those shots from distance. He forces another diving save out of Shakes.
Wilson takes another tumble in the box, great pass in by Bettache – 45+3′
Akale sends a shot high and wide 45+4′
Wilson takes a touch off Shakes – 45+4′
First Half notes: Peter Wilson makes it a 3-2 deficit, scoring his second penalty. New Mexico has just 3 shots, but has scored with its only 2 shots on target. A lot of action from Roots with 10 shots, 7 on target, 2 big chances, but bad defense has stung them.
New Mexico corner – 50′
Roots work in transition, Bettache late on rolling a pass to Trejo–who tries to free himself up in the box – 52′
New Mexico awarded a free kick right on top of the box – 55′
Bobosi late on the tackle. Akale shoots it into the wall, NMU retains.
New Mexico corner – 57′
– Wolfgang on for Trejo – 58′
“McIntrosh… Wolfgang Prestice”
Corner – 63′
Gibson ball cycles back out wide to him, sends another cross that’s claimed by Shakes.
Hackshaw clears out a dangerous pass across the face – 64′
Hackshaw big defensive header in front of his net – 67′
Akale misses a huge chance – 71′
Great buildup finds Akale unmarked right in front of the 6-yard box, absolutely burned Kai Greene. But he sends the shot very, very high.
Doner and Damm come on – 76′
Bettache looks for Wilson in the box, doesn’t make clean contact on the header – 77′
Another close chance by New Mexico in point-blank range – 81′
Luther Archimede misses a wide-open net after a sharp pass by Maples.
Corner – 82′
GAGI MAKES IT 3-3!!!!!! Header from Hackshaw falls in a scrum with Wilson, it deflects to Gagi who sends a rocket on the volley.
Wolfy draws a corner – 86′
Cleared away but Roots retain.
Roots chance deflected out for a corner – 87′
Looked like a shot by Bobosi
Corner – 87′
leads to nothing
Corner – 88′
Gagi found for a header but his attempt goes into the ground and bounces over the top.
Akale sends another shot very high – 90+1′
New Mexico another great chance in transition, but they screw it up – 90+3′
Wilson sends a shot high and wide – 90+3′
Good look for him, was a difficult shot.
Corner – 90+5′
Maybe the last play of the game.
Gagi eventually gest the ball near the end line, but someone is called off.