The Roots are on fire riding a two-match winning streak, five-match unbeaten run, and have won three of the last four matches. Oakland hosts Tacoma Defiance, which holds a 7-6-4 overall record (we put draws ahead of losses, apologies USL and MLS officials who aren't reading)
Here's our shameless plug of tonight's match preview.
Oakland's last loss came at Tacoma, 3-1 on August 8, where sloppy mistakes and horrid officiating plagued the match. But since then, Roots SC has been on a roll despite it being the heaviest portion of the schedule.
"The schedule is very challenging, for sure. But at the beginning of the season, we were struggling in not being able to establish a rhythm by not even playing one game a week. The benefit of the schedule and the way it's worked out is having a rhythm of playing games. That's what players want to do, what coaches want, and fans as well," said Ferrell after their recent victory.
"With the 15 games that we have left, the majority of those are at home. The rhythm is one of the big difference-makers in this run."
Who starts up top?
Jeremy Bokila put in a stellar 86 minutes in the Roots' recent 3-1 win, but the 32-year old striker has not started two consecutive games so far this season.
Quincy Amarikwa was out of the lineup against Phoenix Rising and rested up, so I'm banking on him getting minutes. Brandon Allen hasn't played since the 1-1 draw against New Mexico United on August 19, while Joe Restani was among the unused subs against Rising.
There's also the new guy, Brian Brown, recently loaned in from New Mexico in exchange for Saalih Muhammad. Brown last appeared in August 1 against Defiance and will only appear if the Roots' training staff deems to have adequate match fitness.
Along the wing, Chuy Enriquez has put in 167 minutes over the last two games; 86 against Rising and 81 in his goal-scoring performance in Las Vegas. He seems due for a rest, but he's played on short intervals before.
If I'm guessing, I'm thinking the attacking partnership looks like Brandon Allen at striker, Amarikwa pushing along the right, and on the left; perhaps anyone between Chuy, Restani, Yohannes Harish, even Lindo Mfeka or Jose Hernandez can free things up.
More midfield playmakers?
Lindo Mfeka, Jose Hernandez, and Wal Fall have drawn repeated praise from Jordan Ferrell, describing on multiple occasions that veterans will make their presences felt.
Mfeka was among the subs against Phoenix and seems primed to play. Hernandez, meanwhile, logged 74 minutes on Thursday and 66 versus Las Vegas. Ferrell called Hernandez a "priority" to get on the field, so it will be interesting to see if he's included.
Fall is arguably the hottest player on the team, but among those coming off 90 minutes on Thursday. Ariel Mbumba is coming off a 63 minute, goal scoring performance and could slot into Fall's #8 role.
Christian Herrera's return to Oakland?
Let me remind people that Defiance keeper Christian Herrera was the demise of the Roots' first chance at silverware in the NISA 2020 Fall Tournament Finals by disastrously standing far out of goal to allow a chip-in over his 6 feet, 6 inch frame. How is that even possible?
The allowed goal to lose the NISA Fall Championship can be
viewed here:
Herrera has appeared in the last two matches for Tacoma on August 14 and August 18, respectively winning 2-1 over SD Loyal and 3-0 on OCSC, receiving yellow cards in both matches. He's played in seven matches, but Defiance played Andrew Thomas in their 3-1 win over Oakland back on Aug. 8.
Will Tacoma have the guts to play Herrera back in Oakland knowing Ferrell has background on him?
I know some fans in the stands eager to welcome Herrera back to the Town; should be a fun evening.
Air Quality
I'm a prep sports writer here in the East Bay; games were being canceled and postponed throughout the Bay Area on Friday due to AQI being over 150. Spare the Air alerts were given for Friday, August 27, and gameday Saturday, August 28. Per the EPA, sporting events should consider being rescheduled if the index is above 150.
However, Laney College held an AQI of 112 as of 5pm on Friday and held a 63 "Moderate" rating as of writing--so downtown Oakland should be in the clear.
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