Oakland Roots’ playoff hopes took a small hit Saturday night in a 1-1 tie with Orange County SC, dropping one point in the postseason chase and one position in the Western Conference standings to 11th. Although Roots are now three-games unbeaten, it was their second time dropping points from a winning position during that span after tying Monterey Bay on August 15.
The home side took an initial lead in the 20th minute when Florian Valot sent a ball toward the frame that Orange County SC keeper Alexander Rando misjudged. Expecting a cross, Valot’s attempt caught Rando on his back foot, allowing it to float over his fingertips and into the twine.
Orange County pushed back after Roots’ opening goal, nearly scoring in the 35th minute when a second-chance shot after a Kendall McIntosh save went into the goal, but was ruled offside. OC got its equalizer in the 60th minute at the end of a corner and another second-chance opportunity. This time, a cross found Tom Brewitt for a header-on to Lyam MacKinnon, taking a volley to force an initial save by McIntosh. However, the ball rebounded to Yaniv Bazini, hitting the ball out of the air with David Garcia on the ground after being clattered into by Brewitt.
Here are our talking points from Saturday night.
Still looking for a complete game performance
It wasn’t a horrible performance for Oakland with 14 shots, four on target, 22 touches in the box, and a whopping 13 corners. They were unlucky not to score in second-half stoppage time with several chances on the doorstep that were cleared away.
At 90+1′, Jesus De Vicente sent a great pass from a free kick toward the right post that was flicked to the net by Valot, but Rando pushed it to one of his teammates. Then, Rando botched a corner at 90+2′, leading to Garcia nearly kicking in the ball, but Bazini was there to clear it off the line. It fell to Peter Wilson, but his attempt was deflected out for another corner.
They were positive moments, but Roots couldn’t find the finishing touch for another game. Roots have now gone 10 straight games without scoring multiple goals in a game since their 4-3 win over Phoenix on June 20.
“I felt like we created some good looks; they cleared one off the line. We scored a really good goal, but I felt the start of the second half was a bit sluggish. If you don’t finish games and find the second goal, you let them back into the game. I was disappointed we didn’t finish that one off; it was there for the taking. I thought we created enough to get the win,” head coach Ryan Martin said.
It goes back to the topic of Roots still looking to play their first complete game of the season, where they put teams away and put a stranglehold on victory. Saturday’s match certainly wasn’t a bad performance, and it was arguably a solid showing, but it still wasn’t for all 90 minutes.
When asked if things are progressing on that front, Martin responded: “Yeah, I think it’s progressing. David Garcia and Mark Fisher have added a lot to that because of their communication and ability to have more composure. When things are getting tough, it’s two more voices the guys are listening to.”
But the progression is still “significantly slower” than Martin is comfortable with.
“I think it is getting better; it’s just significantly slower than I would like. For 83 minutes of the game, we were quite good, but moments win and lose you games. Moments only take a second,” Martin said.
Garcia mentioned that their “main priority” is to have a complete game.
“The most important thing is to be aware [that we need to play a complete game]. It’s been a theme this season that we might have a good first half and struggle in the second, or the other way around. We know what we need to do and that we need to stay focused. That’s something we’ve been struggling with and our main priority right now. We know we’re a good team; we need to stay switched on for a whole game,” Garcia said.
Martin went with Bertin Jacquesson, Wolfgang Prentice, Bruno Lapa, and Florian Valot as their attacking options for a third straight match. With the attack’s continued struggles to put the ball in the net, Martin said he’s still examining possible changes and possibly reinserting Peter Wilson into the lineup.
“Obviously, we need more goals. Does Peter come back in? He looked quite good in San Antonio. Do we make a change with Tucker [Lepley]? Danny Trejo is now healthy for the first time in seven games; does he get more of a run? I think you’ll see some competition in the front spots. What I’d like to see is better execution in the final action,” Martin said.
Defense staying stout; Neveal Hackshaw, David Garcia
Despite losing their lead, Roots’ defense has continued to be the better half of the team. Saturday’s result means Oakland has conceded just three goals in the last six games, including two clean sheets.
Martin points out that the return of Garcia and Fisher is paying off on the defensive side.
“When you look at it, the teams who have won championships in this league have been the better defensive teams. For us, that’s something we want to emphasize. When David went down, it left us with a thin back line. When Tingey and Fisher went down, it left us scrambling,” Martin said.
This also marked Oakland’s second time using a repeat lineup all season, with the first coming back on March 14 for the second game of the season.
“Normally, that’s not a good thing. When you’re putting new pieces in every single time, you lose the chemistry. I think that’s starting to come; you see the guys tackling and winning their duels significantly better. We gave up a restart-goal, but we’re quite good in the run of play,” Martin said.
Among those repeat players is veteran centre-back Neveal Hackshaw moving into the starting lineup in place of Michael Edwards. As Martin and Garcia describe, Hackshaw has made a huge impression during training to make it evident he’s worthy of the first-team role.
“It’s been a battle [with Hackshaw and Edwards],” Martin said. “After the Monterey game, we felt Mikey struggled a little, and he’s been inconsistent. Some of that comes with a lack of competition. After Monterey, Hack made it a point with how well he trained, so we couldn’t have him not play. He won every single competition we had and played himself into the lineup. It’s the importance of competition and pushing daily.”
“He’s a great player and someone I look up to because he has so much experience,” Garcia added. “Hack earned the start through his performance in practice and leadership. It’s great to play alongside him. Hopefully we keep it going because getting clean sheets is our goal.”
For Garcia, he missed nearly four months of action after suffering an injury and has helped revitalize Oakland’s back line. He explained that it was the most significant injury of his career.
“It was the first time I’ve been out that long. It was tough mentally; I wasn’t used to it. It’s not easy, especially as an international from Spain away from friends and family without being able to play soccer. I’m really happy to be back and on the field. Now we need to put it together and get into playoffs. That’s what we want and what the fans want; that’s the goal,” he said.
Oakland has allowed two goals in Garcia’s three starts.
“We’ve been doing a good job and had a good defensive game overall; they didn’t have many chances. But maybe we switch off for one or two plays; that’s when other teams score. I try to help the guys around me with communication and experience, giving them that feeling that we can get results.”
Mark Fisher’s second start
Mark Fisher earned his second straight start in the central midfielder role. Martin commented on how Fisher brings a leadership voice on the field, further explaining that he’s solidifying the starting job for himself.
“I think he is,” Martin responded. “What we wanted when we had Bobosi and Tommy McCabe together, we felt we were going backwards too much and being too negative. We wanted someone who could break lines and go forward. Fisher did a really great job of that. We also need leadership in that role; he’s one of the clearest communicators on the team. He’s gaining fitness, so I can’t wait to see what he looks like in two weeks.”
Fisher finished the night with seven completed passes into the final third, won 3/4 ground duels, and won one dribble attempt.
Season-ending NorCal Hella Cup clash in Sacramento
Sure, the NorCal Hella Cup isn’t the most widely known in its short existence, with only the most devout members of Oakland Roots, Sac Republic, and Monterey Bay’s supporters’ groups being in the know. Regardless of how the table stands on the regular-season finale on October 24, a Derby Day is always worth playing for.
October’s NorCal Derby between Oakland and Sacramento will be for the Hella Cup trophy following MBFC tying 1-1 with Republic on Saturday night. If Roots win, they will claim this year’s title for its supporters’ groups on away ground at Heart Health Park.
Here are the current standings:
- Sacramento Republic, 1-2-0 (5 points, +2 GD)
- Oakland Roots, 1-1-1 (4 points, -1 GD)
- Monterey Bay FC, 0-3-1 (3 points, -1 GD)
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
No changes for Oakland Roots’ lineup tonight against Orange County. Martin brings back an attack of Bertin Jacquesson, Wolfgang Prentice, Bruno Lapa, and Florian Valot. Mark Fisher gets his second straight start opposite Tommy McCabe; Neveal Hackshaw gets the nod over Michael Edwards, while Jesus de Vicente and Julian Bravo take the right and left back spots. Danny Trejo also returns to the bench.
- Orange County SC
Timeline
Lapa shot blocked – 5′
Corner – 6′
Valot shot on target draws a corner- 9′
Corner – 9′
Garcia header loops wide
Valot shot blocked for a corner – 13′
Corner – 13′
Ball drops in front of the net but nobody there to clean it up
ROOTS GOAL!!!!! 21′
Florian Valot scores on a shot (?) from the right side of the box. Keeper was playing the cross, it gets him on his backfoot and the ball sails over his head into the net.
Free kick right outside the box – 22′
De Vicente shot goes narrowly wide
OC shot from distance goes well wide 28′
OC free kick. 34′
Longball cleared for a corner
OC corner – 34′
OC shot outside the box goes straight to McIntosh – 35′
OC curling shot big save by McIntosh- 35′
Goal wiped for offside on a cleanup attempt
Corner – 38′
Corner – 39′
another Drawn by Wolfy
Corner – 44′
First Half notes:
Roots lead on an awkward goal by Valot but have looked like the better side. They have 64% possession, 8 shots, 2 on target, 7 touches in the box and have done well to draw 6 corners–many a product of Wolfgang. OC with 4 shots, 2 on target, 6 touches in the box
OC free Kick – 47′
Shot goes narrowly wide
Corner – 49′
Huge block in front of the net, didn’t catch who it was – 52′
Ball hit the post moments earlier
OC corner – 53′
Leads to nothing; they hold possession
Wolfy with a shot on target – 54′
Nice cut inside.
Free kick good area – 55′
On left side about 15 yards outside the box.
Ball falls to Hackshaw, shot on the volley goes wide
Wilson and Lepley on for Lapa and Jacquesson – 57′
Oc shot inside the box saved for a corner – 60′
Good leaping stop by McIntosh,
OC corner – 60′
Ball trickles around in front of the net and eventually goes in. It’s tied.
Ball hangs up for Yaniv Bazini with Garcia on the ground, toes it into the net,
Corner – 64′
Corner – 65′
Corner – 68′
Header on by Valot, but no one there to finish it.
Corner – 71′
De Vicente takes a shot in the box but no call – 73′
Bobosi on for McCabe – 74′
Trejo and Gibson on for Bravo and Fisher – 82′
Valot rolls a shot wide – 88′
Free kick – 90+1′
Huuuuuuuge chance, and a big save. Valot ball goes through the area and
garcia nearly pushes it in
Corner – 90+2′
Ball falls to Wilson and his shot in close distance was blocked away. Another huge stop by OC
OC free kick – 90+4′
Might be the last play