Game Notes: Oakland Roots take home three points from Vegas

Photo courtesy of Oakland Roots SC

The Oakland Roots took home three points with a 1-0 against the Las Vegas Lights, their 107-degree weather, and failed attendance promotions. 

It marked goalkeeper Taylor Bailey’s second clean sheet in three appearances, while Johnny Rodriguez scored the game-winner in the 63rd minute in his second consecutive start but first cap as the starting striker. 

Oakland has scored 13 goals through the last seven matches with a +5 goal differential during that span, improving its record to 6-5-9 (wins-draws-losses) to leapfrog LA Galaxy II for 6th place in the Pacific Division.

[Queue Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry]

Rodriguez, 23, is one of the longest-tenured Roots players despite only appearing in six matches so far this season, now contributing two assists and a goal since returning from a lengthy injury. He’s known for his aggressive pressing as a forward that has been on display since unseating Jack McInerny for a starting spot in the NISA 2020 Fall Tournament. 

Rodriguez’s goal came when Lights CB Mohamed Traore lazily played a pass straight to the feet of Wal Fall, playing in straight to Johnny toward net. His shot from a yard above the penalty area hit off LV keeper Alexander Rando’s leg and into goal. 

Johnny b Goooooood! Johnny Rodriguez slots one in. Roots take the lead in Vegas.

1-0 | #LVLvOAK pic.twitter.com/snlnrwN0Rd

— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) September 9, 2021

Despite the narrow score, it easily could've been a 3-0 win for Oakland. In the first half, Ariel Mbumba had a free header just a few yards in front of the net on a perfect cross from Chuy Enriquez, but Mbumba couldn't make square contact with the ball.

In the second half, Mbumba had another attempt trail wide of the goal in the 58th minute after Rodriguez fed a ball through two defenders. Three minutes later, Johnny nearly caught Rando off his line to bag an open net, but it was saved. 

Rodriguez then bagged Roots SC's go-ahead unexpectedly in the 63rd with ESPN+ jostling camera not even locked on the play, and instead focusing on Lights' recently subbed on Michael Yeboah. Perhaps we can forgive Vegas' broadcasting team for airing Yeboah's visible frustration with the blown play. 

Four minutes later, Rodriguez lived up to his high-pressing reputation by causing another turnover off of Traore but Mfeka couldn't get a handle on the ball for a shot. Memo Diaz also had a near-miss on a bicycle kick attempt in the 74th, while Kai Greene played a perfect ball over the top to Joe Restani in the 87th, but Restani couldn't get the shot off. 

Las Vegas wasn't without its chances. They had a shot from Roberto Molina hit off the crossbar in the 26th minute, and had a header by Dylan Presto hit the left post in the 79th. 

In goal, Bailey finished with two saves, one diving, two high claims, six throws, and one save inside the box. He also recorded 16 accurate passes (62 percent) with six accurate long balls, and 10 recoveries. 

FotMob.com's top-five player ratings:

Photo courtesy of Oakland Roots SC

Johnny Rodriguez finishes Wednesday as FotMob.com's Man of the Match with an overall rating of 8.5. 

In 86 minutes, Rodgriguez scored one goal on four shot attempts, three of which were on target, to go along with 10 accurate passes (63 percent), one accurate cross, and three key passes. He won four duels, drew two fouls, had one clearance, caused two interceptions and two recoveries. 

    1.    Johnny Rodriguez, 8.5

    2.    Kai Greene, 8.0

    3.    Wal Fall, 7.8

    4.    Memo Diaz, 7.9

    5.    Emrah Klimenta, 7.6