Roots 3-0 loss to Galaxy II recap
By Jonathan Comeaux
The Oakland Roots walked out of its ninth match with a lopsided 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy II, watching its record dip to 1-5-3. The club only had 15 players with three of four outfield players on the bench with the club still going through USL Health and Safety protocols.
With its roster woes, the Oakland Roots have now used nine different lineups throughout the season. With a jam-packed 23 matches in the final two months of the season, it will be interesting to see if manager Jordan Ferrell can figure out his prime starting 11 for his 4-4-2 diamond formation.
Regular starters like Jeremy Bokila, Chuy Enriquez, Matias Fissore, Lindo Mfeka, Emrah Klimenta, and Tarek Morad weren’t included in the roster.
The match featured striker Brandon Allen, midfielder Javier Hernandez, and recently added forward Joseph Restani making their Oakland Roots debut, regular wingback Tarn Weir started atop Ferrell’s 4-4-2 diamond for the second match row, while Yohannes Harish and Tyler Blackwood returned from long injuries.
Allen had two critical chances; a shot attempt in the 17th minute after receiving a pass from Harish, who did well to steal a pass while in the attacking third. He nearly tied the match while down 1-0 in the 50th minute after Harish slid a pass across the net to Allen—but he couldn’t find the finish.
19-year old Roots’ midfielder Danny Flores nearly bagged a free kick to the top-left bin in the 35th minute from a few yards atop the penalty area along the left post, but it was saved by a leaping Los Dos keeper Justin vom Steeg.
Los Dos’ go-ahead goal in the 32nd minute came after Axel Picazo got around Max Orntil into the penalty area, the ball skirted through the box to the feet of Joshua Drack, who landed his attempt to the far post.
In the 77th minute, Galaxy II knocked out its second goal on a free header from Carlos Harvey—leaping over Roots defender Saalih Muhammed on the corner from LA's Owen Lambe. Oakland unraveled in the 84th minute on a buildup down the left wing, Drack then found Jorge Hernandez for an easy goal.
Oakland now has five days for players to get clearance and provide more depth against OCSC on July 31 at Las Positas College.
Roots finished with 58 percent time of possession, but only 10 shots with three on target and seven chances created compared to Galaxy II’s 21 shots, seven on target, with 22 chances created.
Top-rated players:
1. Yohannes Harish, 7.4
2. Akeem Ward, 7.3
3. Ariel Mbumba, 6.9
4. Danny Flores, 6.8
5. Tarn Weir, 6.3
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