Oakland Roots earned a big road win Sunday at Indy Eleven, beating the hosts 1-nil. Although Oakland stays in 11th place, they creep closer toward the playoff line, now six points back of eighth-place Orange County with five matches left in the season.
After a scoreless first half, Oakland broke the deadlock in the 59th minute on some stellar work between Wolfgang Prentice and Peter Wilson. In the buildup, Prentice gained possession following a defensive header about 20 yards outside the box. Wolfgang then took one dribble before feeding Wilson making a run into the area between two defenders.
On his first touch, Wilson buried a right-footed shot to the left side of the net with a stellar finish that Roots’ fans have come to know. The score gave the striker his 32nd goal in an Oakland uniform to make him the club’s all-time leader, surpassing Johnn Rodriguez.
Roots now return home to host Phoenix Rising in a critical Western Conference clash between two teams sitting just below the playoff line.
Kendall McIntosh to the rescue
Kendall McIntosh was our RootsBlog Player of the Match for his heroics on Sunday. He finished with FotMob’s highest rating at an 8.5, recording six saves, with five of them from shots in the box. HE also logged three punches, 15 recoveries, and three clearances.
His first big save came right before halftime at 45+3′, making a diving save to stop a free kick on the edge of the box by Aodhan Quinn. And then right out of the break in the 47th, McIntosh came up big again to stop Edward Kizza in close distance near the six-yard box with another diving save.
McIntosh a huge save moments later – 60′ Indy free kick in a good area – 73
Another huge save from McIntosh
Another big save from McIntosh, this time in close distance. Does great to close out the ball – 86′
Peter Wilson back to making an impact
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
Three changes to Roots’ lineup since last week. Bruno Lapa enters the starting lineup, while Michael Edwards returns to the CB spot in place of Neveal Hackshaw. Bobosi Byaruhanga also gets the nod. Tommy McCabe is unavailable; I’m told he’s fine. Aside from that, no changes. I’m curious to see how Florian Valot and Bruno Lapa, while wingers like Bertin Jacquesson and Wolfgang Prentice start. That must mean one takes the CAM spot and the other takes a midfield spot with McCabe out. This must mean Mark Fisher moves to the RB spot instead of Julian Bravo.
- Indy Eleven
Timeline
Free kick about 7 yards above the box – 4′
De Vicente shot trails just wide
Indy shot blocked in the box – 7′
Indy another shot blocked in the box – 8′
Wolfy sends a shot narrowly high – 12′
Near the 6 yard box, gotta finish
Indy corner – 16′
Roots getting caught committing turnovers near their own box, dangerous game – 19
Gibson entered for Valot – 26′
Corner – 30′
Header by JAcquesson loops high
Wolfy shot on the box goes 50 yards high – 32′
Peter Wilson targeted in front of the net, but defended away for a corner – 33′
Corner – 34′
Indy corner – 40′
McIntosh punched away
Indy free kick – 43′
Right side outside of the box. McIntosh punches, but it falls in the box. Blake takes a shot on the volley that is blocked away by De Vicente, big chance.
Indy corner -44′
Indy free kick on the edge of the box – 45+2′
Shot saved by McIntosh with a dive to his left.
First half notes:
Roots probably lucky to not concede a goal, but it remains scoreless. Oakland has got in good areas a couple of times, but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Roots with 55% possession, 5 shots with none on target, and nine touches in the box. Indy with 8 shots, 3 on target, and 20 touches in the box.
McIntosh with another big diving save – 47′
Shot from close distance a yard above the 6-yard box.
Lapa with a shot on target at the top of the box – 48′
Good work to free himself up.
Lapa sends another shot, this time wide – 52′
Indy corner – 58′
Punched away again by McIntosh
ROOTS GOAL – 59′
WOLFY TO WILSON. Wolfgang with a couple of nice dribbles before feeding Peter Wilson into the box, takes a shot on his first touch and BURIES IT. Oakland leads 1-nil after 60 minutes.
McIntosh a huge save moments later – 60′
Jacquesson dangerous ball toward goal but goes straight to GK – 63′
De Vicente shot blocked – 71′
Then Wolfy has a shot blocked – 71′
Corner – 71′
Ball falls to Fisher about 5 yards , his shot sails high
Indy with a shot blocked in the box – 72′
Indy free kick in a good area – 73
Another huge save from McIntosh
Bravo and Trejo coming on for De Vicente and Lapa – 76′
Indy header on target – 78′
McIntosh pointing to his hip – 78′
Probably a cramp.
Wilson shot blocked out for a corner – 83′
Corner – 83′
Leads to an Indy counter
Another big save from McIntosh, this time in close distance. Does great to close out the ball – 86′
Indy sends a shot from distance high – 89′
Lepley and Tingey coming on = 90′
Wolfy and Jacquesson coming off
Near Roots own goal – 90+3′
Ensuing Indy corner leads to nothing but they retain possession
ROOTS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!