Hello and welcome back to the blog’s live coverage of Oakland Roots hosting Sacramento Republic for a NorCal Derby clash at the Oakland Coliseum. And that’s right, the lights are on for this 7 p.m. Western Conference battle.
Roots enter the match in dire need of a win, having secured just four points out of their last 21. Oakland started the day in seventh place in the West, but could end the day in 10th if things don’t go their way. Sacramento is one point below them in eighth and is 2-1-1 over their last four matches.
It’s a Hella Cup clash as well for the fan-led trophy between Oakland, Sacramento, and Monterey Bay. Points toward the standings only count for league matches, making this the first of two cup matches for Roots and Republic. Roots beat Monterey Bay to start the season; Republic tied Monterey Bay on March 26, while MBFC are 0-1-1.
The standings are as follows:
- Roots, 1-0-0 (3 points, +1 GD)
- Republic, 0-1-0 (1 point, 0 GD)
- Monterey Bay, 0-1-1 (1 point, -1 GD)
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Roots feature two changes from Wednesday’s match; Bertin Jacquesson enters on the right side in place of Tucker Lepley — pretty justified after Lepley’s costly mistake in Lexington that led to a counterattack goal following a corner, while Danny Trejo starts in place of Wolfgang Prentice. Other than that, no changes.
- Sacramento Republic
Timeline
Sac shot wide – 10′
Sac corner – 15′
Sac corner – 17′
Sac goal – 19′
great ball in by Gurr and finish by Kaye
VALOT ANSWERS – 21′
FLORIAN VALOT WHAT A SHOT. A couple defensive headers falls to Valot a few feet above the box, wraps his left foot around it for a banger into the top bin
Jacquesson shot deflected wide for a corner – 23′
Corner – 24′
Bobosi shot from distance rolls wide – 33′
Sac corner- 35′
Valot shoots one about 32 yards wide – 38′
Trejo shot high, leads to a corner- 40′
Ball cycles around, a couple close looks, Wilson header blocked.
Wiley shot sails high – 41′
Big stop McIntosh in close distance- 44′
Sac corner – 45′
De Vicente shot sails – 45+2′
First half notes: It’s tied 1-1 after goals in quick succession. Great goal by Valot, a curling shot from the top of the box that he’s done throughout his career. Roots built into the game, 8 shots and on target for their only goal, 5 touches in the box and 46% possession. Sac with 6 shots, 3 on target, 9 touches in the box.