Game Notes & Player Ratings: Oakland Roots win 2-1 over San Diego Loyal

The Oakland Roots brought home a 2-1 win over San Diego Loyal at Las Positas College, improving its record to 8-6-10, 30 points, overtaking Tacoma Defiance in fourth-place of the Pacific Division, officially putting itself in playoff position with eight matches remaining. 

Right at the final whistle, the excitement from the Roots' roster on the field was electric, knowing what they had just accomplished. The team has gone from last place before its 3-1 win over Phoenix back on Aug. 25, now ascending up the table to a potential postseason berth. 

Emrah Klimenta thrust his arms up in celebration, Jeremy Bokila was dancing at midfield with Too Short blaring over the speakers, while Jordan Ferrell approached our post-match interview realizing that Tacoma had just lost to Sacramento. 

"I tell the boys let’s get ready for Orange County, that’s really all that matters now. We did our business tonight and got the three points we needed to get. It feels good. We struggled early on in the season when we played them but after tying with them a couple weeks ago, we knew we needed to play just as well defensively as we did then. They got an incredible goal just before the half, and that's a little on us, we didn't expect them to take shots from the top of the box. Credit to the guys for getting that three points," said Ferrell. 

Johnny Rodriguez perhaps scored the goal of the season in the 6th minute on a beautiful bicycle kick after Brian Brown sent a perfect pass off the touchline and across the face of the goal. 

Rodriguez, who now has his second goal of the season, notably missed the first half of the yet until re-appearing against New Mexico on August 18 due to an injured shoulder. He sustained the injury in training the day before their May 8 season-opener against Phoenix, ironically, on an attempted bicycle kick. 

"That was actually the exact same thing he did in the training session before Phoenix when he popped his shoulder. For him to have the confidence to go out and do it today, it says something about where he is and where the group is. It was a good one to get us started, I think we can carry that energy through because we knew we could score goals tonight," said Ferrell. 

The name is Johnny Rodriguez, and this is a Goal of the Year candidate.

Roots take the early lead in a vital match.#GOLAZO #OAKvSD pic.twitter.com/OVKpPfvPhV

— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) September 23, 2021

San Diego scored on a banger from Collin Martin at 45+1. In the 61st minute of the second half, Memo Diaz drew a foul on a sloppy tackle by Martin when playing the ball back to Lindo Mfeka in the area. 

Jose Hernandez stepped to the spot, hitting his low shot to the right after taking a skip on his approach. His shot ricocheted off of Austin Guerrero's outstretched hand and into the net. 

And if you listen to the video, it sounds like Hernandez has a new song. 

FotMob.com's Player Ratings

    1.    Jose Henandez, 8.3

Hernandez's rating earns him Man of the Match from FotMob.com. 

In 90 minutes, he recorded a goal on his only shot attempt from the spot, to go along with 24 accurate passes (75 percent), completed 1/3 on long balls, one key pass, and one corner attempt. He also finished with six duels won, one clearance, two successful dribbles, drew two fouls, won one aerial, two interceptions, and six recoveries. 

    2.    Emrah Klimenta, 8.1

In a complete 90 minutes, Klimenta recorded 21 accurate passes (72 percent), completed 2/7 long balls,  one key pass, six duels won, 10 clearances, five header clearances, 2/2 successful dribbles, drew one foul, three aerials won, two interceptions, and seven recoveries.

    3.    Memo Diaz, 7.9

In 90 minutes, Diaz recorded 14 accurate passes (56 percent), completed 1/6 long balls, 10 duels won,  two clearances, two headed clearance, drew three fouls including the penalty, two successful tackles, three aerials won, three interceptions, and five recoveries. 

    4.    Johnny Rodriguez, 7.6

In 62 minutes, Rodriguez scored one goal, four total shots with one on target, six accurate passes (60 percent), three blocked shots, one key passes, one duel won, one aerials won, two interceptions,  and four recoveries.

    5.    Paul Blanchette, 7.5

In 90 minutes, Blanchette recorded five saves by way of two diving saves and three inside the box. He also finished with three throws, one high claim, 11 accurate passes (31 percent), completed 11/35 long balls, and 13 recoveries.