USL-Championship: Roots Go Beast Mode, Win 3-0

The Oakland Roots got off to an early 2-0 lead over Phoenix Rising and sealed the night with a treat for the fans. There might not be enough points left in the season for Ryan Martin et all to steal that last playoff spot, but they sure are giving it a shot.

OAKLAND, CA - Two teams whose seasons have not got according to plan met up last Saturday night in the penultimate game for the Roots in the Coli. When the club first moved into the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, there was a lot of excitement, but the Roots haven’t been able to make it a fortress - failing to win at home since May 9th. Head Coach, Ryan Martin, sent his side out in a 4-2-3-1 with Danny Trejo up top, playing the 9 role with Oakland’s all time leading scorer, Peter Wilson, out of the lineup.

The first goal for the home side came early, with the Roots getting a restart in their defensive third. There was an 8 pass sequence with a beautiful through ball which then led to a one-touch give-and-go resulting in a Bruno Lapa left-footed finish that was just too crafty for Rising GK Rakovsky to handle. In the 21st minute, the Roots again restart the ball, this time with a short distribution from the back by McIntosh. There’s some passing around until the ball is sent long - its handled well and Roots begin another tricky passing sequence, with a flick on here an overlap there and a brilliant cross in from the far side for former Rising player, Danny Trejo, to finish and for the third time this season, the Roots go up 2-0 early over Phoenix.

The trick this time would be to NOT let Rising back into the game. Back in June, Phoenix leveled the game at 2, then at 3 each, before Oakland eventually won in Arizona. In May, also at Rising Stadium, Oakland went up 2-0 before Phoenix came from behind to steal back a point at home. It was a similar story, a year ago, when Oakland went to Phoenix, went 2-0 up, but came home with only a point. So, it would be critical with even a slight chance to get into the playoffs, to not lose their composure and hold onto this lead.

At the end of the first half, Rising looked like they might play themselves back into the game - but the Roots held down the fort. Kendall McIntosh and the Roots defense were commendable in the second half, rebuffing the Phoenix attack. But it was the Roots goal in the 71st minute which was the kiss of death for Coach Pah Kah and Phoenix Rising, when Bertin Jacquesson finishes a long cross in from Jesus de Vicente. The quick counter attack and direct goal was different than what Rising had been organized against since giving up those two early goals and they simply could not crack the McIntosh code for the rest of the game.

My Man of the Match: Kendall McIntosh. Offensively, the Roots didn’t even look like they missed Peter Wilson - while against a struggling Rising team, maybe that was the case. McIntosh made play after play, including a brilliant diving save in the 74th after Phoenix enjoyed a good buildup of their own. He got completely horizontal to tip a guided shot, unsighted and coming through traffic, past the far post.

Next Match: USL-C at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, October 3rd 30th at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, CO - Kickoff is 6:00pm PST

The Roots are not mathematically out of the playoff race and this result has done a lot to keep them in the hunt. However, all four of their remaining fixtures are against Western Conference Opponents above them in the table. Each game is a must win and they will need San Antonio, Colorado Springs, and even Orange County to slip up a couple times each to break into the 8th and final spot. It will be daunting, but the Roots will need to treat the rest of this season like the playoffs to get into the playoffs.

Credit to Leonardo Del Toro, who was at the match to take the photos for Protagonist Soccer - please follow him on Instagram at bullseye_mediaa and if you’re looking for work in the Bay Area, check out his portfolio HERE

written by Josh Duder
photos by Leonardo Del Toro