Oakland Roots Starting 11 prediction vs. San Diego Loyal

Photo courtesy of Oakland Roots SC 

The Roots face off with San Diego Loyal tonight at Laney and are coming off a 1-0 clean sheet of Las Vegas, moving into 6th place and seven points out of a playoff spot.

Tonight's match is a critical opportunity to gain points on the table, but defeating 2nd place Loyal will be a tough task.

Jeremy Bokila did not appear in the road trip to Tampa Bay and Vegas, while Quincy Amarikwa and Paul Blanchette weren't listed against the Lights.

Here's Oakland's most recent lineup from Sep. 8:

GK Taylor Bailey, LB Soya Takahashi (Akeem O’Connor-Ward 85’), CB Emrah Klimenta, Kai Greene, RB Memo Diaz, CM Ariel Mbumba (Tarn Weir 77’),  CM Max Ornstil (Jose Hernandez 77’), CM Wal Fall, CM Lindo Mfeka (Matias Fissore 69’), RM Jesus Enriquez,  ST Johnny Rodriguez (Joseph Restani 85’)

Here's my stab at tonight's Starting XI:

Defense

GK Paul Blanchette, LB Soya Takahashi, CB Emrah Klimenta, CB Kai Greene, RB Akeem O’Connor-Ward

It will be interesting to see who is in net for the Roots after Taylor Bailey got back-to-back starts on the road. Prior to that, Blanchette was proving himself as the first-choice keeper. My guess is he returns.

As for the back line, I think Jordan Ferrell goes with this common-choice listing with Tarek Morad appearing in the second half. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Morad start, either.

Midfield

Matias Fissore, Wal Fall, Jose Hernandez

I think this is Ferrell's first-choice midfield trio based off his comments the last time they featured for 90 minutes against Tacoma Defiance on August 28. Oakland will benefit mightily from an equal performance.

"To not make a change in the midfield and have everyone get their first 90 minutes together, I think you saw a big difference in the way that we played the game with confidence having the heart of our team be players we brought here to carry the weight of the season," said Ferrell after their 3-1 win over Tacoma.

Attack

LW/LM Quincy Amarikwa, RW/RM Chuy Enriquez, ST Jeremy Bokila

Ferrell likes to feature a left and right mid to push down the wings, so we're loosely calling three players in the attacking presence.

I can see Amarikwa and Bokila both being featured after they weren't in the LVL lineup. Part of these predictions are pure preference, and the link-up play both veterans have shown seems like an X-Factor waiting to happen.

Johnny Rodriguez is another option to consider in the attack, and although Bokila is building a reputation as a "super sub," I feel Ferrell likes Bokila’s impact for over 60 minutes. Johnny, meanwhile, brings a high-press style that can make an even larger impact on tired legs late in the game.