Oakland Roots could not have asked for a better start. Two games, two wins, six points, and sitting atop the Western Conference.
After the perfect start, certain things stand out. Here’s one thing I loved, one thing I’m on the fence about, and one thing I hated following Saturday’s home opener against New Mexico United.
Loved: The Roots’ Physicality
Through two games, one thing is clear: Roots is becoming one of the most physical teams in the league.
The arrivals of coach Ryan Martin, midfielder Tommy McCabe, and center backs David Garcia and Michael Edwards have completely altered the team’s identity. Roots arguably haven’t had a discernible identity since 2022’s departure of Juan Guerra, and are now creating a tough, physical team that defends in a fundamentally sound manner.
In both games this season, stats reflect that physicality. Against Monterey Bay, the Roots won 58 duels compared to Monterey’s 47. They won 57% of the ground duels and 52% of the aerial duels. They recorded 12 tackles to Monterey’s 10. Saturday night was even better. Roots won 53 duels to New Mexico’s 38, won 57% of the ground duels, and a whopping 61% of aerial duels. Additionally, they recorded 19 tackles to New Mexico’s 12. The 41 (!) clearances reflect a desire to defend responsibly and allow Roots’ offensive weapons to shape the game.
The trio of McCabe, Garcia, and Edwards lies at the heart of this transformation. On Saturday, Garcia won every single one of his ground and aerial duels. Every single one. Edwards has won 66.7% of his ground duels and 71.4% of his aerial duels this season. McCabe is in the top 2.5% of clearances in the league and in the top 20% of defensive recoveries so far.
Their impact has also helped elevate players around them. Specifically, McCabe’s leadership and example appear to be helping Bobosi Byaruhanga make a leap. In the offseason, Martin highlighted McCabe’s mentorship skills and noted how he tasked McCabe to help, “Ali and Bobosi, in terms of helping them read the game better and grow.”
Bobosi definitely appears to have grown so far this season. On Saturday, Bobosi followed up a strong performance at Monterey with a Man of the Match performance against New Mexico, earning FotMob’s highest rating with an 8.1 despite not recording a goal or assist. He intercepted four passes, recorded 11 defensive recoveries, and chipped in with two tackles and a clearance. He won 4/5 ground duels.
Bobosi filled up the stat sheet, he was everywhere. His heat map reflects this:
The USL season is long. Teams go in and out of form. However, Roots’ physicality at the start of the season can help them weather the ebbs and flows of a full schedule. If things continue, they will always be able to count on their physicality and effort as an X-Factor.
On the Fence About: The Roots’ Short-Term Offensive Capabilities
So far, the defense has carried Roots, while the attack is still waiting for reinforcements.
Roots have been outshot in both matches this season. On Saturday, New Mexico created two big chances to Oakland’s one. In the season opener, Roots created no big chances, with Monterey creating some of the better scoring opportunities.
So far, it looks like the Roots are focusing on their defense until key playmakers return to full health. In both matches, Danny Trejo entered the match and immediately made an impact. Against New Mexico, his play set up the Roots’ game-winning goal in the 81st minute.
After the match, Martin noted that the coaching staff is being patient with Trejo because the team cannot afford to “lose him for 6-8 weeks. If we do, then we’re in some trouble.” Martin later noted that Trejo is nearing a full return with no minutes restrictions.
Another key offensive playmaker missing from the mix is Florian Valot.
After the match, Martin said Valot is not too far off from returning, but “we know it’s a 30-game regular season, plus four more games with the Cup… We don’t want to fade out.”
Reading between the lines, it appears that even if both players get cleared for no restrictions, Martin will still tread lightly. Trejo dealt with injuries last year and missed an extended period after signing with the team, while Valot sits on the wrong side of 30. Martin understands the critical role both will play in the team’s success in the long run. No need to rush it.
In the short term, the team’s caution with these players may continue to force the team to funnel the offense towards Wolfgang Prentice and Peter Wilson. It could result in Oakland continuing to rely on its physicality and defense in the immediate weeks.
With Martin still putting the pieces together, where the goals will come from will remain a question. A big one.
Hated: The Fact that Monterey Bay Got Blown Out
There was very little to hate at the Coliseum on Saturday night. So I had to look elsewhere.
Monterey’s latest results, a 3-nil blowout to El Paso Locomotive, make Roots’ opening win a little less illustrious.
After Saturday’s results, Monterey sits at the bottom of the Western Conference without a goal and a league-worst goal differential of -4. Before the season, many pundits selected them to place near or at the bottom of the conference, and that looks like it’s coming to fruition. In fact, Monterey didn’t record a single shot on target against El Paso.
How does this impact Roots? Why do I hate this?
Roots’ attack somewhat struggled against Monterey, requiring a Worldie tip of finish by Mark Fisher to put the game away. Oakland then faced a New Mexico squad playing its first match of the season, which sows some doubt for me about how Oakland’s offense truly ranks in the Western Conference.
But at the end of the day, the Roots sit atop the Western Conference, so it’s difficult to gripe despite Game 1 lacking some attacking prowess. They started the season 2-0-0 for the first time in club history and gave 14,419 fans at the Coliseum something to smile about.
So, forget the questions about where the Roots stand in the Western Conference. The season is two games in. It will sort itself out.
For anyone with even the smallest of doubts about the Roots’ start, including myself, E-40’s lines ring true: “you ain’t gotta like me, but you gotta respect it.”