Las Vegas: No Peter Wilson, no problem for the Oakland Roots, as Jesus de Vicente and company helped power the Roots to 2-0 victory over the Las Vegas Lights on Saturday evening. The Lights were on a 10 game home winning streak that dated back to last August, but put up little resistance to the Oakland Roots. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view point, the Roots have been eliminated from Prinx Tires USL Cup action with results in Sacramento.
The Republic currently sit at 8 points in the standings and the Oakland Roots even with a victory over Spokane Velocity FC in the final game of the groups stage, the Roots would only have a maximum of 7 overall points in group 1. But with all of that said, this was still a solid tuneup game for the Oakland Roots and helped snap a three game losing streak across all forms of competition.
The Roots will return next week against Miami FC at the Oakland Coliseum.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Saturday.
1. Jesus de Vicente, 8.5
I ain’t afraid of no ghost, but the Las Vegas Lights surely are after Jesus de Vicente hit downtown Las Vegas yesterday evening. The 25-year old has quickly become one of the top players for the Oakland Roots this season and Saturday evening in Las Vegas may have been his best showing in an Oakland Roots uniform. De Vicente scored a stunning Olimpico in the 41st minute, which would end up being the game winning goal. The future at left-back is secured.
2. Wolfgang Prentice. 7.8
Could this be the last season of Wolfgang Prentice in an Oakland Roots uniform? I definitely think it could be, as the veteran could start right now for Sporting Kansas City in the MLS. Prentice played a beautiful run to Tucker Lepley for his second goal for the Oakland Roots. If the Oakland Roots can unlock the Prentice/Lepley combo, the playoffs won’t be a question this season.
3. Tucker Lepley, 7.7
Tucker Lepley really doesn’t have a position, but the 24-year old on loan from the LA Galaxy feels too good to not start somewhere for the Oakland Roots. Be that up top with Peter Wilson or as a central midfielder alongside Tommy McCabe. Ryan Martin will need to figure out where the energy bug eventually ends up. Second goal in a Roots uniform for Lepley and hopefully he can carve out the second or third goal scorer spot on this team.
4. Florian Valot, 7.7
Another full 90 minutes for Florian Valot is a positive sign for the 33-year veteran, as the Frenchman held down the middle of the field and was a facilitator for the Roots. Nine passes into the final third for Valot and eight recoveries were key to a solid performance. Still looking for his first goal of the season.
5. Raphael Spiegel, 6.9
A massive volcano in the southern pacific ocean has just erupted, a meteor is heading right for Boston and in an equally catastrophic event… Raphael Spiegel had an excellent game. I know I have been on record as the top Raphael Spiegel critic, but I will always give any player their flowers when they deserve it. Spiegel wasn’t heavily challenged on Saturday, but he was able to be a fourth defender out of the back and defended his box with ease. Could this also be Las Vegas being the worst attacking team in the league? A side with nothing to play for? Maybe, but Spiegel gets his flowers today.
6. Julian Bravo, 7.5
First start back from injury for Julian Bravo and it comes at center back for the Oakland Roots. Jesus de Vicente justifiably has taken Bravo’s former starting spot at left back and with David Garcia still out for a while it, could be Julian Bravo who slides next to Michael Edwards in the future. This is all depending if the Roots keep to their traditional 4-4-2 or if they experiment more with only one center back and five midfielders. Overall a strong performance from Bravo.
7. Bobosi Byaruhanga, 7.3
Bobosi Byaruhanga has had a funky season this year. From starting out has a potential sell candidate that was a top pairing alongside Tommy McCabe, to maybe not even having a starting spot for him this summer. Bobosi had made some mistakes during May, which led to Tyler Gibson and Florian Valot making a lot of stops in the midfield. This will be the battle of the summer to watch.
8. Keegan Tingey, 7.2
I am not sure what to think of Keegan Tingey. Is he a good player? Yes, but there continues to be one or two plays a game that just leave you scratching your head. I do think he is a starter when this team is healthy, but I do want to see Mark Fisher at right back when he returns. Just to compare the two, as I have been told Tingey can play center back and midfield.
9. Bertin Jacquesson. 7.1
Another quality game for Bertin Jacquesson, as the Frenchman returned to Prinx Tires USL Cup action after serving the red card he had against Monterey Bay in the opening game of the group stage. Faysal Bettache and Jacquesson have been in a battle for the right side and it appears that Jacquesson is currently in the lead of the competition.
10. Tyler Gibson, 6.9
Every team needs a Tyler Gibson. He is smart and knows where the play should be and he continues to give a veteran presence to the right side of the field for the Oakland Roots. He will likely head to the bench by the end of the season, but Gibson has truly been one of the highlights that I didn’t expect coming into this season.