Oakland Coliseum: Hope is a truly dangerous vice. It will make you believe outcomes that aren’t possible. That they have finally figured it all out and OH Baby is some hope around the Oakland Roots after a 3-0 drubbing of Phoenix Rising at home in a contest that was must win. It has been 140 days since the Oakland Roots won their last game in the Oakland Coliseum on May 9th against El Paso Locomotive, which is frankly unacceptable, but the Roots can’t change the past. Only the ability to change the future.
Something has become extremely clear over this recent stretch of solid play for the Oakland Roots, as in the last three victories the Roots have had less possession from their opponents. The Roots are focusing less on possession, a category that Oakland has been near or the top of the league all season and have started pushing the ball forward. Tyler Gibson, Bobosi Byaruhanga and Bruno Lapa brought a new energy to the midfield and deserve to be the unit for the rest of the season. More on this below.
With the three points secured last night the Oakland Roots have just jumped Monterey Bay to only have the 11th worst home record in the Western Conference this season. The Roots will return next week, as Oakland will head to Colorado to take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in another must win contest.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from the 3-0 victory over the Phoenix Rising.
1. Jesus de Vicente, 9.1
The difference between Jesus de Vicente at Left-Back and Right-Back are night and day. De Vicente could be an all league player if he is able to stay on the left side. You could argue he had three assists on Saturday, if the second goal was given a hockey style assist. His second assist may be a true candidate for his play of the season (Yes the corner goal would likely win), as de Vicente slotted a perfect far pass to Bertin Jacquesson for a tap in goal.
2. Bertin Jacquesson, 8.4
Bertin Jacquesson is at his best when he fills the Peter Wilson role of don’t let me dribble just send me a cross to bury. Interesting to note Jacquesson appeared to be on the left side more this week and may be his preferred side. The same goes for Wolfgang Prentice and it will be something to check in on the next few games. Overall Jacquesson was smart and solid.
3. Danny Trejo, 7.9
Man, where has this Danny Trejo been? THIS is the player that the Oakland Roots thought they were getting at the end of last season and paid an astronomical number for. An absolutely killer goal and all four of his shots found the target. A red hot Danny Trejo could be really fun next to Peter Wilson once he returns from international duty.
4. Kendell McIntosh, 7.8
My first of a few hot takes and this may be somewhat short-term biased, but Kendell McIntosh should be seen as a club legend and the best goalkeeper in team history. Last three wins have all been shutouts and he has justifiably been featured on the USL Save of the Week teams. He is up to five clean sheets on the season and I would 100% be ok with the Roots bringing him back for 2027.
5. David Garcia, 7.7
After a couple lineup changes it is exciting to see that David Garcia also has some ability to push the ball upfield to a midfield wanting to push forward. He had a team high 18 defensive contributions and had three passes into the final third. I believe everyone knows he is the Roots best defender, but he just keeps getting better.
6. Bruno Lapa, 7.6
First goal in an Oakland Roots jersey for Bruno Lapa and the former FC Tulsa player seems to thrive with the latest lineup changes. Lapa has been able to command the middle of the field and made his one shot count. I still want to see him with Peter Wilson.
7. Michael Edwards, 7.5
It feels like the Oakland Roots have their backline solved for next season. The core of de Vicente, Garcia, Edwards and Fisher when healthy has been a true great unit for the USL level. Depth is still a question and Edwards has made a couple questionable plays that could be taken advantage of by better teams, but overall I am here for Edwards.
8. Tyler Gibson, 7.3
Hot take alert- I believe Tyler Gibson is the correct leader the Oakland Roots need. His grinding style of play may not be the most pretty style of soccer and he definitely isn’t playing for Barcelona anytime soon, but Gibson is street smart on the pitch and continues to make the correct decisions. Gibson has opened up the central midfield and alongside a player with more range like Bobosi, the true USL veteran could be exactly what the Roots need and I wouldn’t be shocked if Gibson returned for the 2027 campaign at age 35. Instead of playing with the ball backward, this version of the midfield is pushing forward or just knocking the play forward and allowing their opponents to make mistakes. Which is the best gameplan in the modern USL.
9. Mark Fisher, 7.1
Fisher is a useful piece that can fill wherever the Roots have an issue. I personally enjoy Fisher more in central midfield alongside Bobosi or Tyler Gibson, but he has also played a solid Right-Back. Excited to see his game grow next season.
10. Bobosi Byaruhanga, 7.0
Ryan Martin post game said that you can expect the midfield to stay the same with the starting lineup, but I do worry about Tommy McCabe calling to Martin like the Green Goblin Mask. Bobosi has shown talent levels in the past and I think he just needs a runaway to show it.