Oakland Roots Talking Points: Who starts at CB, GK? Tarn Weir back? LV hitting new low

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It's matchday and your assortment of OaklandRootsBlog previews is on the docket for your necessary reading going into tonight with Las Vegas Lights. 

The Roots are coming off a 3-nil loss on the road in Tampa Bay but walk into Vegas with a chip on their shoulder after defeating the Lights 3-1 back on Aug. 21, which started the three-match streak before heading to Tampa. 

The Lights are dead-last in the Pacific Division and are leaking goals with 52 allowed. It's a prime opportunity for three points for Roots and get itself on track for the final two months, but the club certainly can't afford to overlook the young LV squad. 

Oakland's most recent lineup against the Rowdies included:  GK Taylor Bailey, LB Akeem O’Connor-Ward, CB Emrah Klimenta, CB Kai Green, RB Memo Diaz (Soya Takahashi 45'); Mid, Ariel Mbumba (Max Ornstil 45’), Mid. Wal Fall, Mid. Matias Fissore (Jose Hernandez 62’), Mid. Lindo Mfeka (CB Tarek Morad 85’), FW Brandon Allen (Quincy Amarikwa 45’), FW Johnny Rodriguez.

Here was Roots SC's lineup in Aug. 21's victory over Lights included: LB Soya Takahashi, CB Emrah Klimenta, CB Kai Greene, RB Memo Diaz; Mid. Max Ornstil, Mid. Lindo Mfeka (Johnny Rodriguez 66'), Mid. Jose Hernandez (Jeremy Bokila 66'); LM/LW Chuy Enriquez (Akeem O'Connor-Ward), RM/LW Yohannes Harish (Wal Fall 45'), ST Quincy Amarikwa (Matias  Fissore 72'). 

Who starts in goal?

Will we see Paul Blanchette back in goal for the Roots? He was unquestionably a major difference-maker in the team's six-match unbeaten run but took a seat for Taylor Bailey in Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the club has posted Zeus de la Paz in his training kit.

Zeus' mistakes plagued him in the 3-1 loss to Tacoma on Aug. 8 when we last saw him, and LV provides a good opportunity to get back in the win column. The Lights are a team full of children, averaging an age of 19 years old. 

My guess is Blanchette gets the start and Zeus backs him up. 

Tarn Weir back?! Will he play?

Roots' posts on social media shows Tarn Weir in his training unis out in Vegas, meaning he could be set for his first appearance since leaving Aug. 4's 1-0 loss to Phoenix Rising with an injury. 

Weir can play a versatile role in Jordan Ferrell's system, lining up at wingback, left mid, or moving forward into the attack. Ferrell always finds a way to play his versatile players, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Weir get minutes if he's fully healthy. 

What is the backline rotation?

Tarek Morad's return felt like a weight lifted off the shoulders of Ferrell and the Roots' defensive unit. 

Emrah Klimenta and Kai Greene have done valiantly in Morad's absence, but we haven't forgotten that Morad was Oakland's leader at center back before going down with an injury in Aug. 4's game as well.

I can see Ferrell starting Morad beside Klimenta and taking a similar approach to Tampa Bay; perhaps subbing on Greene in the second half to keep defensive legs fresh. 

Lights' attendance scheme is desperate and sad

Las Vegas Lights, in last place, hit a new low mark this week; offering free tickets to anyone wearing a Raiders or Oakland A's jersey for tonight's match--calling their promotion "Vegas Loves Oakland Sports Teams night." 

This Twitter response says it perfect: "My favorite team will be whoever is playing Las Vegas." 

The blatant disrespect went from laughable, to fist-clenching rage. The Lights have held some comical seat promotions this season, including having blown-up portable pools lined along the sidelines. 

LV is a joke franchise; a roster filled with LAFC Academy products which can't sell tickets. If the USL truly wants to separate itself from the MLS, they'd rule that Las Vegas doesn't have a suitable roster building strategy and has housed a glorified after-school program.

I hope the Roots players, local or out-of-town, sees the Lights promotion as a slap in the mouth to the Bay Area. Satan's anus already swooned Mark Davis with public money and now doing the same with the A's.

Screw yourself, Vegas.  

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