Game Notes: Oakland Roots pull off mighty comeback over Las Vegas Lights, unbeaten run at four

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Photo courtesy of Oakland Roots SC

The Roots put together perhaps the strongest performance of its season thus far, beating Las Vegas Lights 3-1 in comeback fashion on Saturday night. Oakland continues its unbeaten run to four matches and eight points during that span, improving its record to 3-5-8 and 14 points. 

Oakland is building a reputation for being comeback kids after going down in the 48th minute. The club has now trailed in three straight contests only to equalize later on. 

Technical director and interim head coach Jordan Ferrell has keyed in postgame talks time and again that the team is coming together; Saturday's win was another testament of that. 

"I’ve been saying that the momentum is building. Last game, we had a tough start but we managed to fight back into it and get a point. Tonight was difficult with the heat and the travel, all those factors. In the first half, we were the better team. I don't think they created much, but it was unfortunate to go down three minutes into the second half. But the character of the group starts to show through and we could have hung four or five on them," said Ferrell. 

 Jose Hernandez scored in the equalizer 52nd, Chuy Enriquez hitting the go-ahead at 60 minutes, then Jeremy Bokila killed the game in the 82nd--causing absolute mayhem on the sidelines. 

The Roots went into the half holding a 0-0 draw while Lights created nine shots, two on target, and were credited with eight chances created compared to Oakland's four shots, one on target, and three chances. 

Roots SC wound up finishing with 11 shots, five on target, 10 chances created with three critical opportunities. 

Lights' goal in the 47th came when Bryce Duke chipped a ball over Roots' defender Kai Greene to free Danny Musovski, but it wasn't long until Oakland turned things around. 

In the 52nd, Jose Hernandez connected some beautiful work, putting a smooth first touch on the ball after receiving a cross from Chuy.

Hernandez, a versatile midfielder, has been an instrumental part of Ferrell's system since returning to the lineup. He currently carries a 6.47 rating in seven appearances and earned a 7.4 in his 66 minutes.

Ferrell had high praise for his play, describing that including him is a "priority" and was able to bounce from inside to the wing against the Lights. 

"Getting him on the field for us has always been a priority. We know he’s an important player for us. In the first half he played inside for us and in the second half came out playing out wide. The goal today was great, awesome for him to get the first goal in the shirt. I think that was a catalyst for us," said Ferrell. 

Eight minutes later, the Roots struck again with some beautiful work in the buildup. Starting from an LV setpiece, Hernandez made a defensive boot to Vegas' backline toward wingback Alvaro Quezada, who lazily kicked right into a charging Quincy Amarikwa.

Amarikwa led out wide to open up Lindo Mfeka for a through-ball, who then passed a left-footed pass back to Chuy--whose left-footed curling shot hit off the weak hand of LV keeper Alexander Rando into the net.  

Ferrell made sure to make mention of Mfeka's performance in the buildup.

"Another important player we've been saying we want to get on the field is Lindo. The second goal from a team standpoint was incredible. But the fact that Lindo can find that pass in that moment says a lot about who he is as a player and how he plays the game. He left it all on the field. His brain, his technique and comfort in tight spaces, and his ability to put his teammates in good positions, and then Chuy for the finish. It's important for us to be able to play that way," said Ferrell. 

Jeremy Bokila entered in the 66th minute for Mfeka while Johnny Rodriguez came in for Hernandez, an aggressive move by Ferrell to switch out two shifty midfielders for larger and more physical forwards. 

They came together for Bokila's goal in the 82nd when Rodriguez stole the ball off Eric Iloski deep in LV's side, playing the ball around Lights' Tony Leone and CC Uche. Bokila sent a low shot past the keeper. 

Bokila also had an attempt skirt wide after LV had a clumsy ball from Quezada go right to his feet in the 68th minute. Ferrell believes it's important to get the striker going alongside veteran counterparts Amarikwa and Brandon Allen.  

"It's been stop, start for him. His first touch was off the post, he could have had another one or two. It's important for us to get him going. The ability to give different looks with Quincy, Bokila with Brandon. I think that's important for us with the congested schedule ahead," said Ferrell. 

Bokila had another near-chance in the 79th when wingback Soya Takahashi flicked in a low cross, but it skipped right in front of the striker.

FotMob Ratings

Photo courtesy of Oakland Roots SC
FotMob.com rates Enriquez as Man of the Match with an overall rating of 8.3. He has both of the Oakland Roots' highest ratings this season after recording an 8.4 against LA back on May 23.

In 81 minutes, Chuy had a goal and an assist with four shots and two on target. He had 19 accurate passes, one key pass, and a success rate of 83 percent. 

    1. Chuy Enriquez, 8.3.   
    2. Lindo Mfeka, 7.5
    3. Jose Hernandez, 7.4
    4. Jeremy Bokila, 7.4
    5. Memo Diaz, 7.4

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