Game Notes: Oakland Roots fall 3-nil to Rowdies

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The Oakland Roots' six-game unbeaten run came to end with a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, which put them in first place of the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. 

Oakland didn't look quite like the form that put them on a three-match win streak coming into Friday's match. It was more reminiscent of their poor run in July when they only scored one goal in four matches.

But the Rowdies are tough and came to play, unlike how Rising brought its B-squad in Roots' recent 3-1 victory. Tampa Bay had every look of a championship-caliber side and will be a team to watch out of the East come playoff time. Hats off to them. 

Tampa Bay finished with 20 total shots, nine on target, and 17 chances created. Roots closed the day with four shots, three chances created, and one attempt on target--which was a header by Akeem Ward in the 88th minute. 

The Roots featured four changes from their 3-1 win over Tacoma; goalie Taylor Bailey got his first start since July 7, Brandon Allen started instead of Quincy Amarikwa, Lindo Mfeka in for Jose Hernandez, Johnny Rogriguez got his first USL start instead of Chuy Enriquez, while Akeem Ward started ahead of Soya Takahashi, who later entered for Mamo Diaz.

Jeremy Bokila and Enriquez, meanwhile, did not make the trip out. Both players did not travel for the match at New Mexico United but returned for Las Vegas, meaning we could be in for a similar situation with Lights on the docket next Wednesday. 

Ferrell made his most changes at halftime: Amarikwa came in for Allen, Soya for Memo, and Max Ornstil in for Ariel Mbumba. 

Hernandez entered for Matias Fissore in the 62nd and Tarek Morad subbed for Mfeka in the 81st, getting his first minutes since sustaining a lower-leg injury against Phoenix on Aug. 4. 

Bailey was busy in his return to the starting lineup, recording seven saves with four diving and three inside the box, to go along with three throws, 18 accurate passes, and two accurate long balls. 

He had a big save off of his face in the 13th minute to keep the game scoreless. 

Offensively, it was a troublesome night. Ward's attempt in the 88th minute was their first look at the net. It came on a perfect cross from Takahashi along the left wing while one-on-one with the Tampa Bay defender. 

Emrah Klimenta was credited with an attempt missed in the 63rd minute, Kai Greene in the 60th, Rodriguez had an attempt blocked in the 38th.

Roots' relinquished goal in the 30th seemed like destiny for Tampa Bay, holding well over 60 percent possession throughout the first half. TB's cross seemed to hit Allen's hand and go toward net that required an acrobatic dive by Bailey. His save went straight to the feet of Jordan Scarlett, sending his shot across net to Sebastián Guenzatti for the tap-in. 

Rowdies' second goal was a thing of beauty from Sebastian Dalgaard in the 41st minute, dribbling his way through the Roots' midfield and around Wal Fall. 

Tampa's last goal came when Lucky Mkosana split the Roots' defense after Laurence Wyke played a header assist to him after Greene cleared the ball to him. It was the epitome of the Roots' disjointed day.

Oakland Roots regather and look ahead to Wednesday, September 8 on the road in Las Vegas. They will walk in as the favorites and hope to start a playoff push with a victory. 

 FotMob.com's five best-rated players

Max Ornstil finished as Oakland's best-rated player from Friday's match with a 6.8 by FotMob.com. 

In 45 minutes, Ornstil had 61 accurate passes at 90 percent success, 6/10 on long balls, had two duels won, drew one foul, two interceptions, and gained seven recoveries. 

    1.    Max Ornstil, 6.8
    2.    Soya Takahashi, 6.5
    3.    Wal Fall, 6.4  
    4.    Lindo Mfeka, 6.3
    5.    Taylor Bailey, 6.3

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