New Mexico: It’s the halfway point of the season! So that means it is time to check in on the mid-season ratings for the Oakland Roots. Will some surprise and shock you… Most likely, but we will start off with a couple of no brainers.
The Oakland Roots currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference after falling 2-1 to third place New Mexico United on Saturday evening in Albuquerque. This was another prime opportunity for the Roots to bounce back into the truly elite of the West, but Oakland must once again deal with the chaos of the crab bucket that is the middle of the Western Conference. Currently the Roots are just three points from 8th place in the West and only 6 points away from Las Vegas and Monterey Bay and the bottom of the standings. Not good… not good.
Though it is hard to say the first half was anything other than a success, as the Roots would finish with a home playoff game if the playoffs started tonight. This team has a chance to be so much better than what we have seen, but the big question will be when will we see the Roots at their best.
The Roots will return next week in the Prinx Tires USL Cup game against Spokane Velocity.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from the season.
1. Peter Wilson, 7.35
Where would the Roots be without Peter Wilson. Could you imagine if they had really given up on him last season? How extremely different would this season look? Currently the 2025 Golden Boot winner is in second place with 10 goals on the season. Wilson added his 10th off the bench last night against New Mexico United. It was feared that Wilson was seriously hurt two weeks ago against Phoenix Rising, but luckily the Roots star was only slightly hampered.
2. Wolfgang Prentice, 7.21
Wolfgang Prentice went from maybe not having a starting spot on this team during the offseason to maybe the most improved individual on the roster. Prentice has been a revelation on the left side when he has been allowed to play his natural position. Currently Prentice leads all the USL with 6 assists The veteran also had the team second best in goals at 5 and continues to be a key piece for the 2026 team.
3.Florian Valot, 7.06
First newcomer on the list, as Florian Valot has rapidly found his way into the midfield for the Oakland Roots. Valot has had an up and down season for the Roots, but the Frenchman has shown the promise we all expected this offseason over the last few games. Valot picked up his first goal of the season two weeks ago against Phoenix Rising.
4.Jesus de Vicente, 7.0
I feel that we are just seeing the surface of what Jesus de Vicente could be. The first year Oakland Roots player out of the University of Virginia has become a fixture on the left side of the pitch for the Roots. De Vicente already has 3 assists in USL play and is in the top 10 percentile for Chances created, Big Chances Created and Successful crosses. A stunning pickup for the Roots.
5. Bobosi Byaruhanga, 6.98
Bobosi Byaruhanga hasn’t lived up to my high expectations from the off-season. That doesn’t mean Byaruhanga doesn’t have a spot on this team. We thought Bobosi would have a better offensive season, but it appears that Byaruhanga has turned into a stat darling when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. He is in the top 4 percent in interceptions and top 10 for total defensive contributions.
6. Tommy McCabe, 6.96
You may be shocked that Tommy McCabe isn’t higher on this list, but recent performances have definitely taken a little of the shine off of McCabe for me. He is still a possession and passing machine…but his duels won percentage is a staggering only 11% for his position. That must improve. It won’t shock you that McCabe is No. 1 for his position for passing and top 4 percent for long ball accuracy.
7. Michael Edwards, 6.92
Arguably the top free agent so far for the Oakland Roots. Michael Edwards has been exactly what has been needed for the Roots on the backline. I am excited to see Edwards back with David Garcia, which had the makings of a top two unit in the USL. Edwards does lead a unit that has given up way too many goals, but I think that is a lot of what is around him than Edwards himself.
8.Julian Bravo, 6.87
Data is a little incomplete when it comes to Julian Bravo, but I have enjoyed what I have seen so far from the Santa Clara alumni. I do believe that Bravo could have a starting role on this team and at worst he could be the first defenseman off the bench. He brings a solid force to the backline, but I doubt he will ever be a star for the Roots.
9. Bertin Jacquesson, 6.81
The stats tell us that Bertin Jacquesson has been truly elite when it comes to his possession, as he is tops in the league at touches in the opposition box and duels won. Unfortunately Jacquesson is near the bottom of the league for his position on successful passes and successful passes percentage. This has to improve if he wants to stay in the starting lineup.
10. Faysal Bettache, 6.80
Faysal Bettache started the season well, but has fallen out of popularity among the Oakland Roots starting lineup. It currently appears that Bettache looks like an extremely solid first attacker off the bench, but we shall see if he can take Bertin Jacquesson’s starting spot or if Tucker Lepley will eventually claim that starting nod. Bettache is tied for third on the team with just one goal on the season.