3 Things to Watch Oakland Roots v. Tacoma Defiance

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First things first, we have to acknowledge how nice it was to be back at Laney Stadium for August 4’s match against Phoenix Rising. For most of the attending fans, you couldn’t remember a 1-0 loss or the early-season drama.

The party was back on East 10th street and around the Lake Merritt Channel, and with $1 beers by the can; the atmosphere was exactly what Roots fans were hoping for.

The dark clouds seemingly dissipated for Wednesday night, it was a joy to be there.

Now that the sentiments are over, the Roots travel north to Tacoma to play Defiance, which holes a 4-4-6 record, 18 points in 5th place of the Pacific Division.

Let’s get into it.

1.       Playing Christian Herrera

Oakland faces a familiar face in goal, Christian Herrera, the Roots starting keeper from the 2020 Fall tournament in Michigan. We haven’t forgotten about him.

Herrera has done well with Tacoma to carve out a starting role since Game 1, but was the Roots backup keeper behind Taylor Bailey until he sustained a fractured fibula.

Herrera standing at 6 foot, 7 inches was characterized by his flailing around in the penalty area while with the Roots. He took a shot to the face in the opening round of the NISA Tournament, while he allowed the game-winning goal while standing way out of position.

The allowed goal to lose the NISA Fall Championship can be viewed here:

As you can see, Herrera lives in this writer’s head. He cost the Roots its only attempt at silverware. With Herrera’s propensity to rush out of the box, it will be interesting to see how head coach Jordan Ferrell plans against his former goalie.

2.      Can Roots create attacking momentum?

At 1-3-7, the moral victory from the Roots’ 1-0 loss to Rising was that it looked like a step in the right direction towards sustaining attacks and creating opportunities in the opponent’s half.

Ferrell commented after Wednesday’s match that he was glad to see Jeremy Bokila “stretch his leg,” Chuy Enriquez making plays in the midfield, and Memo Diaz funneling in along wide.

“We got to see Bokila really stretch his legs and run, which is a huge positive for us. Just the group coming back from COVID and everything from there, I think you're starting to see more of what we've seen at different points at training, but the whole group is starting to come together,” said Ferrell.

All that said, we’re hopeful today’s matchup with Defiance continues to provide a clearer look at the Roots’ identity and best starting 11.

3.       The unpredictable starting 11

Ferrell’s addition about players yet to return also intimated that he has further plans up his sleeve for the lineup.

“We still have more pieces to get back, though,” mentioned Ferrell on Wednesday night.

With careful structuring required, how Ferrell will manage the roster can enable some embarrassing predictions from anyone looking to foresee a starting 11.

Based on the Roots’ posted photos on Instagram, any of the following players could be in the lineup: Lindo Mfeka, Emrah Klimenta, Jesus Hernandez, Chuy Enriquez, Bokila, and Max Ornstil (unclear if under red card restrictions).

  

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