Oakland Roots walked away with one point on Saturday evening after falling 4-3 in penalty kicks following 90 minutes of 1-1 action against Monterey Bay FC in Seaside. This contest was the first of four games of the group stage for the Prinx Tires USL Cup.
The Roots fall to 5th place in Group 1 and are two points behind group-leading Sacramento Republic. Up next in the Prinx Tires USL Cup will be hosting Sacramento at the Oakland Coliseum.
Jackson Kiil scored his first professional goal in the 16th minute after a deep pass from Neveal Hackshaw. The Oakland Roots had a game leading 54% of total ball possession, but the hosting Monterey Bay FC outshot the Roots 20 to 6, with the Kelpie Gang taking a 5-1 shots on target advantage. Monterey Bay FC found the equalizer in the 63rd minute on a goal from Ilijah Paul.
Bertin Jacquesson was sent off for his second yellow card in the 93rd minute and will have to miss a game in the future.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Saturday
1. Kendall McIntosh, 7.9
The Ivan’s Baked Potato Award for best performance in Monterey County Saturday evening went to Kendall McIntosh. Should Raphael Spiegel be worried? Probably not, but a fantastic showing for the veteran goalkeeper even in defeat. His game-saving heroics in extra time prove he is one of the best backups in the USL. McIntosh had two saves in the penalty shootout and did enough on his end for Oakland to pick up three points. McIntosh has a few of these performances a year, and it is unfortunate to waste one in defeat against Monterey Bay of all teams.
2. Jackson Kiil, 7.4
Jackson Kiil pulls off his first professional goal after stiff-arming a defender en route to Oakland’s lone goal of the night. Luckily for the 23-year-old forward, Kiil just nearly avoided being selected in the 6th round by the New York Jets after his stunning physical play. Shoutout to Neveal Hackshaw for the pass deep down the left side on the goal for Kiil. The Stanford graduate continues to prove himself as the first forward off the bench for the Roots.
3. Michael Edwards, 7.2
Protect Michael Edwards with bubble wrap during the week and roll him out for games. Edwards has been nearly everything the Roots could have dreamed of after signing the former MLS bench player in the offseason. A free agent signing on the backline would help for a few months while David Garcia is out.
4. Neveal Hackshaw, 7.0
I want to start this section by saying that Neveal Hackshaw did play well on the deep pass assist to Jackson Kiil for the only goal for the Roots on Saturday. Hacksaw was great at what he has always been great at… from his aerial duels, clearance, and veteran activities. All of that is great, but it doesn’t outweigh the fact that multiple teams are targeting him and his side of the field during their attacks. Especially over the top, where Hackshaw has been burned at least three times this season. Something has to change here.
5. Ali Elmasnaouy, 6.8
A newborn deer that went out with a bang. First start of the season for Ali Elmasnaouy, and I can see why he hasn’t sniffed a minute of playing time until the tail end of the contest against the Las Vegas Lights. Turnovers were a consistent issue for the Oakland-born youngster and something that will need to be addressed before he sees the field again. One positive was that Elmasnaouy was good on defense and stopped the Monterey Bay attack with Tommy McCabe.
6. Tommy McCabe, 6.5
The professor was consistent once again for the Roots, as Tommy McCabe returned back to the midfield after his emergency start at center back against Las Vegas Lights. McCabe was one of the few starters in the contest and hasn’t missed a minute of playing time in the young season. Early season grade of A+ for McCabe.
7. Florian Valot, 6.5
Regardless of how he played in the game Saturday evening, Florian Valot needed help heading to the local room at halftime and was quickly replaced by Faysal Bettache. Injuries have been the major story so far this season for the Roots and Valot may be heading back on the injured list.
8. Jesus de Vicente, 6.5
Has any player grown more over the last few weeks than Jesus De Vicente? The recent Virginia standout has rapidly gone from being in over his head to a feisty defender who should be a key piece this season. I don’t know where he will fit in, but I am sure Ryan Martin will have a plan for the young defenseman.
9. Tyler Gibson, 6.5
Tyler Gibson returned from injury, but the veteran midfielder still doesn’t look 100% out there. Speedsters for Monterey Bay attempted to pick on Gibson, but the 35-year-old held his own before being subbed off. If healthy, Gibson has been a net positive so far this season, and I am not sure how many people would have predicted that heading into the year.
10. Danny Trejo, 6.4
Still no goals scored this season for Danny Trejo, which is an issue, but the forward has shown improvements in each of the last few games. His first goal of the year should be right around the corner. With Bertin Jacquesson and Florian Valot likely out for a game, the Roots will need Trejo to step up next week against Loudoun United on the road.