VIRGINIA – In coach Ryan Martin’s return to Loudoun United, the veteran leader flies home to the Bay Area with a hard-fought point in the 2-2 tie at his former stomping grounds, Segra Field in Virginia. This is the eighth straight game without a clean sheet for the Oakland Roots, but the offense continues to head in the right direction. This draw puts the Roots in a three-way tie for third place in the Western Conference, with 13 points overall after eight games.
Raphael Spiegel surrendered a rebound into the middle of the box, and Richard Aman put Loudoun United up 1-0 in the 10th minute. Bertin Jacquessson answered for Oakland with his first goal of the season. It took four corner kicks, but the Frenchman found the back of the net off a header from Jesus de Vicente.
Bobosi Byaruhanga gave up a penalty kick in the 66th minute, and 38-year-old Pedro Santos buried the attempt to put Loudoun United up 2-1. Luckily for the Oakland Roots, and also my mental state, Peter Wilson secured one point with a goal in the 92nd minute off a cross from Faysal Bettache.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Saturday.
- Jesus de Vicente, 7.9
Ladies and Gentlemen, I do believe we officially have a left back. Jesus de Vicente was everywhere for the Oakland Roots on Saturday afternoon, as the 25-year-old returned to his old college roots in Virginia. The first-year Roots player led the game in defensive contributions with 10 and also created two chances on offense. De Vicente picked up the assist on Bertin Jacquesson’s opening goal.
2. Bertin Jacquessson, 7.8
Red card last week aside, Bertin Jacquesson has been a quality pickup so far this season, and the 25-year-old signee from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds found the back of the net in the 18th minute on a header off of a corner kick from Jesus de Vicente. With Saturday’s goal, Jacquesson has already tied his goal-scoring output from last season with Pittsburgh.
3. Peter Wilson, 7.3
Is Golden Boot Peter Wilson finally back? It appears so, as the 29-year-old secured the Oakland Roots one point with a 92nd-minute equalizer off a perfect cross from Faysal Bettchae. This is the fourth goal in the past two USL competitions for Wilson and looks to be the spark the Liberian national needed. Only one shot for Wilson could be a concern, but we shall check back in on that statistic in the future.
4. Tommy McCabe, 7.3
In Tommy McCabe’s return to Loudoun United, the key Oakland Roots offseason free agent showed why he was the biggest departure from last year’s Loudoun United squad. McCabe created three chances from his defensive midfield spot next to Bobosi Byaruhanga and, as expected, led the Roots with 73 of 79 accurate passes.
5. Keegan Tingey, 7.2
This was the first full showing for Keegan Tingey, and I am starting to understand where he fits into the puzzle for the backline. Tingey picked up the start at right back and was one of three Oakland Roots players returning to Loudoun United after departing in the off-season. Tingey and de Vicente should make up an extremely fun offensive-defensive duo on the wings.
6. Faysal Bettache, 6.7
Faysal Bettache came in during the 75th minute as a substitute, and it didn’t take long for that move to pay off. Bettache sent over a perfect cross from the left side, and Peter Wilson smashed the pass into the back of the Loudoun United net in the 92nd minute. The 25-year-old midfielder is currently an option to be the first player off the bench, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he pushes Danny Trejo soon for minutes.
7. Neveal Hackshaw, 6.7
Neveal Hackshaw received the start at center back, which likely received a groan from Oakland Roots Fans, but I am happy to report that the veteran didn’t actively lose the Roots the game. Hacksaw was fine, nothing more and nothing less. Hackshaw did have a team second-best in accurate passing with 60 of 69 for a 87% overall. El Paso Locomotive FC is a different animal next week.
8. Florian Valot, 6.6
The final of the Loudoun United trio of returners came into the game in the 61st minute for Danny Trejo. After leaving last Saturday’s Prinx Tires Cup game against Monterey Bay at halftime with an injury, I was surprised to see Florian Valot making the trip to Virginia. Valot was better than Trejo, but didn’t shine outside of a deep running pass to Wolfgang Prentice.
9. Wolfgang Prentice. 6.6
The first average game of the season for Wolfgang Prentice. The 26-year-old veteran had zero shots on target and was 0 for 3 on successful dribbles. I am not stressing about this performance from Prentice and will just chalk it up to the humidity and cross-country travel.
10. Raphael Spiegel, 6.6
If Raphael Spiegel doesn’t pull a “Spiegel” on the first goal of the game, do the Oakland Roots leave Virginia with three points? Maybe, but overall Spiegel was just alright. The Swiss national has three saves and was peppered with five shots on the night. I would still look for an MLS loan keeper this summer.