Oakland Roots suffered its fourth consecutive loss through all competitions on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to Sacramento Republic after conceding a pair of second-half goals. The result brings Oakland’s record to 5-6-6, dropping them out of playoff positioning down to ninth place, equal points with Phoenix Rising in 10th and 11th-place Las Vegas Lights.
Sacramento broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when a pinpoint cross from Jack Gurr into the center of the Oakland box found Jose Rodriguez Jr. on a run for a first-touch goal, splitting two defenders in the process.
Oakland wasted no time in leveling the contest as a quick counter following a Republic turnover landed the ball at the feet of Florian Valot outside the box. Valot took a powerful strike from 20 yards out which found the top right bin to equalize at 1-1 in the 21st minute.
But it was all Sacramento in the second half, logging one shot attempt to Republic’s eight with six on target. In the 75th minute, Sac regained the lead when a corner kick eventually rolled to Blake Willey for a shot on target that forced a diving save out of Kendall McIntosh. However, the ball rebounded back into play with Kyle Edwards there to poach a loose ball. Roots wanted an offside call on Edwards, but the officials ruled he was onside at the time of Wiley’s initial attempt.
Then in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Sacramento put the game away when Edwards rifled in a shot inside the box after corralling a lob pass from Memo Rodríguez
In addition to Roots falling down the Western Conference, the result puts Sacramento at the top of the Hella Cup standings. They are as follows:
- Republic, 1-1-0 (4 points, +2 GD)
- Roots, 1-0-1 (3 points, -1 GD)
- Monterey Bay, 0-1-1 (1 point, -1 GD)
Here are our talking points from Saturday night.
Five points out of 24, the attack, possible additions
Saturday’s result means Oakland has taken just five points out of 24 available with the only win during that span being their 4-3 win over Phoenix Rising on June 20. Moreover, the recent loss means Roots have not beaten its archnemsis, Sacramento, since June of 2024, haven’t won over rival at home since October 2021, and dips their record to 2-6-7 in the tie.
When asked about the reason for the dip in form, head coach Ryan Martin said the lineup in flux and bad giveaways have factored into poor results.
“When we look back, I think its been a number of things; we’ve had some injuries and guys coming in and out hasn’t helped,” Martin said. “There are some games we played well and didn’t get points, like Miami and Birmingham. We’re conceding goals and we need to do a better job of not giving gifts away like we saw in Lexington. When you give gifts away at this level, you get punished, and you don’t get points.”
Martin added they “need to make some changes” and be more “dynamic” in the attack.
“It’s a combination of all of it. We’re still in the race, but we need to make some changes. We need to stop giving away goals, and be better defensively. To do that, we need to be more dynamic in the attacking half and get our attackers going in terms of creating and scoring goals. Whether that’s Trejo, or Bertin, Florian was another and he was able to get the goal tonight,” Martin said.
Oakland figuring out its third goal threat has been an ongoing topic of discussion. Valot notching his second goal of the season means he is now the No. 3 leading scorer on the team behind Peter Wilson and Wolfgang Prentice.
Martin understands that they need to get more goals from people around Wilson and Prentice, because teams are now scouting against them. Although Martin sees their attack is getting into dangerous areas, it all comes down to “the final action.”
“On the media call this week, they asked me if I was happy with what Wolfy and Peter are doing, or are we concerned about a lot of people having just one goal,” Martin said. “It’s both, really. I’m happy with Peter and Wolfy, but we need to have these guys contribute more and have more quality in the final action. We out shot them at points tonight and on Wednesday, but when you look at the final action, we only had one shot on goal. We’re getting to some good places, but we’re not getting anything out of them.
“We need to turn them into goal-scoring chances. We need to get more shots out of it, more quality out it, and be more decisive in the final third. When teams scout us and see Wolfy and Peter, if we get one or two more guys going, it helps our ability to stretch the game and create more chances through the middle.”
Oakland now embarks on the final 13 games of the regular season, while the USL enters a time where teams put the final touches on the roster. With Martin being in his first year at the club, he’s certainly getting a sense of what is working, and what isn’t.
Roster building is always a continuous process, especially for a first-year head coach. Despite the squad having a lot of attacking options, Martin appears to get the sense that he doesn’t have exactly what he needs just yet.
“In terms of bringing personnel from the outside, it’s probably an attacker of some type,” Martin said. “We need more firepower to help Peter. I don’t think Peter’s been himself since the New Mexico game; when you look at Lexington and tonight, I think he’s been a little bit timid compared to what he’s been. We need some people to take pressure off of him, especially when he starts getting kicked throoughout the course of games.”
Martin added that he still hopes Danny Trejo can turn things around.
“My hope is Danny can continue to show moments and get hismelf in a position to do that. We’ve seen moments and glimpses, and now its just getting consistency,” Martin said.
Florian Valot
Florian Valot bagged his second goal of the season, slotting in a well-placed goal on a shot from atop the box. It was the type of goal that the Frenchman was accustomed to throughout his career.
2026 hasn’t been a smooth ride for Valot. He missed the early portion of the schedule and has had to re-find his groove on the fly. As Martin says, no body is a bigger critic on Valot than the player himself.
“Great goal and scored one against Phoenix as well,” Martin said. “It was a great moment for him and a great response. I know he good he is with his finishing, and I also know how hard he is on himself. Even if you ask him, he knows we haven’t seen the best version of him in an Oakland kit. It’s been frustrating for him, but I know its coming. We’ve seen glimpses of it.”
Back in June, Valot had a candid post on Instagram where he opened up about the state of himself and his career, writing: “I feel like my body is failing me. It might be the first game where I feel 60/70% of myself… I was embarassing out there and embarassed by my performance. I know I can be and do better, but I’m mentally and physically exhausted…”
Martin knows the trials and tribulations of an aging athlete. His message to Valot: relax, stay patient, focus on whats ahead of you, and enjoy each moment you have.
“My message to him has been to stay patient and not making any decisions with emotion. In terms of forcing his way back in or saying he’s done, reality is that he has to take things day-by-day and progress his body physically. Last year, he almost played every minute for Loudoun. This year, he hasn’t been available as much as we’d like,” Martin said.
“When you look at where that frustration level comes from, he has to be patient with himself. He’s coming toward the end of his career, but he has a lot left in the tank. What I’ve told him is to take a step back, focus on yourself, focus on your rehab, hang out with your dog, enjoy the city, and when you get your opportunity, deliver.”
Injury updates
Roots fans remain eager for the return of centerback David Garcia. It was looking like Garcia and Michael Edwards were shaping up among the league’s best CB pairing when the Spaniard went down with an injury back on April 18 against FC Tulsa. Fullback Mark Fisher is another one that’s been missing for several months, having been absent since March 21 against Phoenix Rising.
Martin gave an update on both players, saying they have returned to training and are being evaluated.
“Both have started training with us. Playing will be based on their fitness levels, how they feel, and to continue showing no symptoms of pain or regression. But both are back at training,” Martin said.
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.
Sac corner – 47′
Nervous moments- 52′
McIntosh rushes out and almost misjudges it. Leads to a shot thats pushed wide, and luckily he gets back in position
Wolf on for Jaquesson- 59′
De Vicente cross goes across the face of goal – 66′
Wolfy turns Gurr inside out and crossed through the box – 70′
Leads to a shot blocked from Valot
Wiley shot leads to a corner – 74′
eventually leads to another
Sac corner – 75′
shot by Wiley saved, but deflects into play. Edwards to cherry pick and score. Roots want an offside, but dont get the call. Edwards looked onside when the ball was shot
good save McIntosh in close distance – 83′
Corner- 85′
Gibson and Lepley on, Bobosi and Valot off
De Vicente good cross – 85′
Flicked on by Trejo, Wilson couldn’t handle it
Free kick – 86′
About yards outside the box on left side.
Grabbed by Vitiello
Kiil and Bravo on for De Vicente and Trejo- 89′
Edwards kills the game – 90+1′