The USL’s decision to continue playing during the World Cup may provide the Roots with a timely opportunity. Miami FC will enter Saturday’s match without two key contributors. These absences will completely alter the complexion of the matchup.  Will the World Cup Benefit the Roots?  Miami FC goalkeeper Eloy Room made the Curacao World Cup … More Three Questions for Oakland Roots Against Miami FC

In a USL Cup match with little to play for, the Roots used the match to experiment. While the 2-0 scoreline was encouraging after a three-game winless stretch across all competitions, the data points the coaching staff can take from the match will matter far more down the line. Saturday’s match provided Coach Ryan Martin … More Oakland Roots vs. Las Vegas Lights FC: What I loved, hated, and remain unsure about

Las Vegas: No Peter Wilson, no problem for the Oakland Roots, as Jesus de Vicente and company helped power the Roots to 2-0 victory over the Las Vegas Lights on Saturday evening. The Lights were on a 10 game home winning streak that dated back to last August, but put up little resistance to the … More Poulter Ponders: Oakland Roots Top-10 Ratings vs Las Vegas Lights

Oakland Roots won 2-nil over Las Vegas Lights on Saturday night, giving them their first win in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. Roots struck first in the 41st minute with a Goal of the Year contender. Lining up for a corner kick on the right side, Jesus de Vicente took matters into his own hands, … More Oakland Roots snap skid with 2-nil win over Las Vegas Lights

With hopes of advancing in the USL Cup all but extinguished, Saturday becomes less about outcome and more about information: who can play, who can solve problems, and what the roster will look like as it approaches full health.  Do the Young Guys Play?  The clearest evaluation opportunity sits with the young players on the … More Three Questions for Oakland Roots Against Las Vegas Lights FC

There wasn’t much to take away positively from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to the Switchbacks. The performance resurfaced similar issues rather than new answers. Those issues remain as pressing as ever. Loved: Neveal Hackshaw In a match defined by offensive frustration, one bright spot emerged: Neveal Hackshaw.  The Roots struggled to break through Colorado Springs’ press … More Oakland Roots vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: What I loved, hated, and remain unsure about

For the first time this season, Roots have fallen in back-to-back regular season fixtures following an 0-1 loss to visiting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday evening. The match began as some have for Oakland this season, conceding a goal early when in the 5th minute a cross in from the … More Oakland Roots’ attack sputters in 1-nil loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks

This week, the Roots return home to face Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks present one of the more confusing profiles in the Western Conference. The underlying metrics point to a strong side, yet the table tells a different story. Heading into to the match, the question is whether the Roots will face the numbers or the … More Three Questions for Oakland Roots Against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Roots return to the Bay after a 3-2 loss to Orange County in a match defined by the Roots’ attack. It generated chances, created goals, but ultimately fell short. The match captured both the promise and inefficiency that continues to shape the season. Loved:  The Roots in Transition Prior to the match, we wondered … More Oakland Roots vs. Orange County SC: What I loved, hated, and remain unsure about

Oakland Roots were able to tie the match twice, but ultimately fell 2-3 on the road to Orange County SC on Saturday night in Santa Ana, marking their second loss of the season to bring their record to 4-2-2. Roots stay in third place with 16 points, but stay just one point above fourth-place Tulsa, … More Oakland Roots fall 2-3 at Orange County SC after rallying twice to tie