Oakland Roots took a point in their final match at the Coliseum, tying 0-0 with San Antonio FC. The result moves Roots down to 11th place in the standings, but they remain four points shy of seventh-place Orange County and San Antonio in eighth.
Roots had their chances, but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Most notably, Peter Wilson had a big chance missed in the 32nd minute when Danny Trejo sent him a low laser near the six-yard box, but Wilson’ redirected volley went wide left.
Oakland’s season was on the ropes in the 76th minute when former Roots fullback Akeem O’Connor-Ward drew a penalty kick. But with the season on the line, Kendall McIntosh made a diving save to stop Michael Maldonado shot.
Then in second-half stoppage time, Roots were given a breath of life when Wolfgang Prentice drew a penalty kick — ironically after Ward pushed him in the back on the edge of the box. Wilson stepped to the spot, but his shot was saved by Joey Bastrouni in controversial fashion. Jesus de Vicente rushed in to clean up the loose ball, but he was called for encroachment.
Here are our talking points from Saturday night.
Mostly dead is still alive
Oakland’s playoff hopes remain on life support, but mostly dead is still slightly alive.
“I felt the week going into the game was very positive. Until the fat lady sings, you have a chance. We’re going to use every opportunity to grow and build continuity. Whether that’s a playoff push or thinking toward next year, we’ll continue to push and get better,” coach Ryan Martin said.
With 35 points, the club remains just four points shy of seventh-place Orange County and eighth-place San Antonio with two matches left on the schedule, while trailing ninth-place Phoenix Rising and 10th-place Las Vegas Lights by one point. With that, so many things need to go their way.
Starting with Orange County, they sit at 39 points after losing to El Paso 2-1. They have matches remaining against Phoenix Rising and San Antonio FC. San Antonio, also at 39, faces New Mexico and OCSC. Phoenix faces OC and Lexington, while Las Vegas plays Lexington and Monterey Bay.
Roots have no choice but to take all six points to finish their regular season campaign with 41. So, here are the playoff scenarios.
Orange County loses to Phoenix Rising, putting both at 39 points, and then ties with San Antonio to keep them at 40. SAFC needs to lose versus New Mexico, which would keep them at 40 points with a tie against OC. As for Rising, a win over OC and a loss or tie to Lexington keeps them below Roots at 39 or 40 points. Las Vegas loses both to keep them at 39, or ties once to put them at 40.
If all of the above happens, Roots would finish the season in seventh place.
For eighth place, Roots need both Phoenix and Las Vegas to drop points to stay at 39 or 40, which inherently means Orange County beating PHX to move up to 42 points. This puts all eyes on San Antonio to finish drop points in both matches.
If both Roots and San Antonio finish with 41 points, Oakland would control the tie-breaker based on conference record. As it stands, SAFC has seven wins, eight ties, and seven losses to give them 29 conference points. Roots have seven wins, seven ties, and eight losses — giving them 28 points.
Kendall McIntosh
Kendall McIntosh has been Oakland Roots’ saving grace over its four-match unbeaten run. The Coliseum was a powder keg waiting to explode toward the end of the match, resulting in the crowd erupting when he stopped Maldonado’s penalty kick.
But as McIntosh said, he was in the zone and couldn’t hear a thing.
“I blacked out. I was just screaming; I was excited. It was a really cool moment, but I’m glad it was loud and to see all the people here. 10 out of 10,” McIntosh.
Being in the zone has been something Martin has noticed about McIntosh during their stretch of results. It comes after winning the competition for the starting keeper role against Raphael Spiegel.
“When he’s in the zone, he’s incredible,” Martin said. “When of the games recently, we were up against it and he made a couple of big saves. I talked to my assistant and said, ‘he’s having one of those days.’ When he gets into those rhythms, he can make any save. He’s in a really good mental space and winning the job may have cleared his mind a bit and allowed him to be himself.”
For McIntosh, he becomes the only Roots keeper to keep four consecutive clean sheets. He credits his defensive teammates for the record.
“Clean sheets are a team thing,” McIntosh said, rallying off a list of his teammates. “They are a huge part of it too. We have a lot of small things that I’m a psycho about, and they’ve bought into it. Defending the goal is a group project; they are putting me in the spots I’m asking them to put me in. That makes the world of difference. I’ve got to buy them donuts.”
As for the penalty kick save, McIntosh said it was “all vibes” after not having any information on Maldonado on his water bottle.
“I don’t think I’ve been more confident that I was going to save a penalty in my life,” McIntosh said with a laugh. “I really felt like I was going to save that one. As he stepped up, I knew where it was going. It was a moment that really galvanized the group and was the moment you want it to be. It was like Tetris with all the pieces falling in the right place.”
Wilson’s penalty
Roots fans should feel a bit jobbed by San Antonio’s penalty kick save on Wilson.
As shown in the image above, Bastrouni was multiple feet off his line before Wilson pulled the trigger. He was even a foot or two further at the time the ball was played. The line judge pulled his flag up after De Vicente sent a rebounded shot into the net, but there was either miscommunication between the officials on the line judge’s ruling — or he just missed the call entirely.
Bastrouni was so obviously off his line, it’s painful to rewatch. If the USL Championship — which aspires to join the Division 1 ranks — wants to be respected in the professional soccer world, it’s time they catch up with the rest of it.
A simple video review would have taken seconds to determine Bastrouni committed a foul. Martin, who is an eight-year veteran coach in the USL Championship, reflected on the need for video review.
“I don’t think it was the official’s best night,” Martin said. “He’s been pretty good, but I thought he really struggled tonight. They got away with a lot of off-the-ball fouls; Mitch Taintor had four fouls in the first 35 minutes without a booking. When we watched the penalty kick back, the goalkeeper was two-and-a-half yards off his line when the ball was kicked. That’s disappointing
“I’ve had this exact conversation when I went to the North Carolina – Cal game about a month ago. They were using VAR; look how easy it is, how you don’t miss the calls, and you get right decisions at the right time. If the NCAA has that technology, we can surely do it. I think the league is dying for it and it’s time the league steps in. Only reviewing game-changing decisions makes a huge difference.”
Farewell Coliseum, onto the next
Well, here we are, RootsFam. The club says goodbye to the Coliseum after a two-year stay and looks ahead to, hopefully, a more intimate venue at their training facility on Harbor Bay Parkway at the edge of the Oakland border on Bay Farm Island.
Roots remain steps away from crossing the finish line on finalizing their new temporary stadium site. Now approaching the midway mark of October, Oakland still hasn’t gotten started on its estimated six-month build. Should they get started in November, a six-month build would mean the club potentially plays its first two months of next season on the road.
Martin was asked whether he’s received assurances about their stadium in 2027, responding: “We obviously see stuff around the stadium and there are things to work out. I don’t know the full scope and logistics, but it’d be fantastic at the training ground. But that’s way above my pay grade in terms of that.”
Starting Lineups
- Oakland Roots
A couple of changes for Oakland Roots since their last match; Tommy McCabe starts in place of Bobosi Byaruhanga and Peter Wilson starts in place of Bertin Jacquesson. Danny Trejo gets the start alongside Wolfgang Prentice in the attack, Tyler Gibson is opposite McCabe, while Bruno Lapa mans the 10. Same back lane from right to left: Mark Fisher, Michael Edwards, David Garcia, and Jesus de Vicente.
- San Antonio
Timeline
McCabe on target from distance – 3′
Garcia down for a bit but gets up – 10′
SA corner – 13′
Free kick good area – 15′
Taken quick, leads to nothing but Roots retain possession
Trejo draws a corner – 17′
Feed McCabe a few yards atop the box, his shot goes over the net
Wolfgang hopes on an errant ball and shoots on target from distance – 21′
SA shot on target on counter – 27′
SA free kick from distance – 30′
Ball cycles around, leads to a free header but its called offside.
Peter HUUUUUGE chance missed – 32′
Roots with good buildup into the area. Trejo fed through the back line and sends a laser to Wilson, but the striker’s volley attempt goes wide.
SA sails a shot – 35′
Trejo shot goes wide – 40′
Trejo another dangerous pass toward the face of goal, blocked away – 44′
First half notes: Probably fair to be tied; both Oakland and San Antonio have missed big chances, but Roots are creating more chances. Oakland with 5 shots, 2 on target, 8 touches in the box. SAFC with 5 shots, 1 on target, 6 touches in the box. All builds toward an intriguing second half.
Corner 47′
SA corner – 53′
Trejo rolls one in front of the net, just misses Wilson – 54′
Tingey on for Fisher? – 62′
Jacquesson on for Lapa
Corner – 66′
headed out for another
Corner – 66′
Roots retain possession after clearance.
Trejo gets a touch in the box, can’t corralle – 73′
Akeem Ward draws a PK for San Antonio – 75′
SA penalty – 76′
MCINTOSH OH MY GOD
Bobosi and Lepley – 80′
SA low shot draws a corner – 87′
SA corner – 87′
Ball deflects toward net but McIntosh there.
Bobosi shot blocked – 88′
ROTS PENALTY – 90+1′
Wolfy gets pushed in the back by Akeem Ward.
The Coliseum is a powder keg.
Penalty kick – Deep in stoppage. Gonna be a long wait
Peter Wilson shot saved, De Vicente cleanup called offside.
SA dangerous cross in front of net rolls to Mcintosh – ?
Corner – ?