Oakland Roots vs. San Diego Loyal Match Live Blog

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of the blog's live coverage of Oakland Roots vs. San Diego Loyal from Las Positas College in Livermore, marking the end of 2021's field trips out to the Tri-Valley. 

Oakland walks into tonight's clash after getting upset by LA Galaxy II on Saturday, still holding 5th place (7-6-10, 27 points) and three points behind Tacoma Defiance for a potential playoff berth. The Defiance and Sacramento Republic square off at the same time, meaning a Roots' victory is pivotal toward keeping up in the playoff hunt and maintaining ground on Sac. 

Here is Bloom's official match preview for tonight, providing background on both organizations. 

Join the live match discussion on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/NPNM7jmJ

Here is a copy of Roots' most recent Starting XI against Los Dos: GK Paul Blanchette, CB Kai Greene, CB Emrah Klimenta, CB Joseph Nane, WB Soya Takahashi (Memo Diaz) WB Akeem O'Connor-Ward, M Ariel Mbumba (Matias Fissore), M Max Ornstil (Tarn Weir), M Lindo Mfeka, FW Brian Brown (Jeremy Bokila), FW Johnny Rodriguez (Jesus Enriquez). 

Scroll down for all the latest updates.

Key Events

Postgame Presser

Jordan Ferrell on reaching fourth place: 

"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 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."

Ferrell on Johnny Rodriguez's 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." 

Roots goal - 63'

Jose Hernandez scores from the spot after Memo draws the penalty. 

SD goal - 45+2

Collin Martin nice goal from distance. Wal Fall sustained an injury in the buildup. 

Goal - 6'

Timeline

Full time

Roots win 2-1 and move into 4th place of the Pacific Division standings. 

Roots sub - 89'

Soya off, Ward on. 

SD set piece- 88'

SD fk about 15yards above. Play in, header goes high. 

Lindo attempt - 80'

Lindo shot on target. Easy save

 Sub - 78'

Nane off, Ornstil on. Tough injuries tonight. 

Yellow on Bokila- 70'

Mati shot high - 67'

Mati with a shot, trails high. 

Roots goal - 63'

Jose Hernandez scores from the spot after Memo draws the penalty. 

Yellow on Kai - 56'

Kai gets a yellow for a hard foul. 

Roots set piece - 53'

Jose draws foul, ball in goes out. 

Two attempts for Roots - 50'

Back to back chances at 50'. Johnny attempt blocked, cross to Brian Brown--1st touch shot saved. 

Sub - 46'

Wal Fall off for Joseph Nane.

First half 1-1

Roots holding just 35 percent possession. Both golazos from each side, Johnny with a bicycle and Collin Martin with a laser from distance. 

Roots five shots, one on target with six chances created. SD with six shots, three on target. 

SD goal - 45+2 

Lame goal for SD at 45+2 with Wal Fall on the ground. Collin Martin gets the score. 

Johnny attempt blocked, goes wide - 42'

Johnny another attempt, blocked and skips wide of goal. 

Easy save Blanchette - 42'

Straight on shot from distance. 

Johnny gets yellow - 31'

Rodriguez gets a yellow for dissent. Throws ball at ref. 

Loyal first touch shot goes wide - 30'

SD attempt goes wide. Goal kick. 

Roots set piece, draws yellow - 27'

Jose Hernandez on free kick.  Leads to nothing. 

Blanchette save, tip over - 18'

Nice tip over by Blanchette. Looks like it was on net. 

Golazo Johnny Rodriguez - 6'

Maybe the most beautiful goal I've seen in person. Brian Brown off the touchline, across net, Johnny bicycle kick finish

Last match at Las Positas crowd forming

Loyal Starting XI:

Roots' Starting XI:

Talking Points

• More productivity required from the striker

In 23 matches, the Oakland Roots' strikers have just scored one goal from a starting role, only Johnny Rodriguez landed one in the 1-0 win over Las Vegas on Sep. 8. The attack must start finishing its chances; a win tonight pays large dividends toward playoff chances. 

That's not to say there's been a lack of quality from the players. Rodriguez has churned out five starts and eight appearances since returning to the lineup, Quincy Amarikwa showed clear leadership on the field, ability in the #9 and on the wing, Jeremy Bokila has unmistakable talent on the ball, Brandon Allen is a taller and physical striker, even Brian Brown and Joe Restani have shown some glimpses in limited work. 

But how injuries have plagued the group must be mentioned. Tyler Blackwood has dealt with a lingering concussion, Amarikwa has missed the last four matches, Rodriguez was recovering from preseason injury until returning on Aug. 18 at New Mexico, while Bokila has missed time recently and there's apparent skepticism about him playing a full 90.  

• Status of Wal Fall & Jose Hernandez

My internal alarm was blaring on the sidelines of Saturday's match against Los Dos when seeing both midfield leaders Wal Fall and Jose Hernandez in jeans and a jacket. Fall had picked up a knock, while Hernandez was forced to miss a game due to accumulating five yellow cards. 

Fall, Amarikwa, and Tarek Morad were spotting in training this week, but we've been fooled by practice photos before. 

• Another backline of three?  

Here's an excerpt from this morning's official match preview and prediction from our Aaron Lawson: 

Jordan Ferrell seems to think a back 3 is the way to go against San Diego (Oakland have gone that route in both Loyal fixtures). But it would be nice if Oakland could score while playing a back 3. They’ve played a back 3 in three games this year, and gone 0-1-2, while not scoring. No clue if we’ll see this shape again, but I’m frankly hoping we don’t. If we do see it, I predict two things: Oakland will not score, and Joe Malfa on the call for ESPN+ will not realize it is a back 3 until the second half. I’m going to go ahead and say Roots return to their normal back 4, and manage to snag a goal, probably right after the interval, but it will only be enough for the draw. I’m guessing 1-1, too.

After going with a back-three against LA and San Diego, it will be interesting to see if the decision on Saturday was a reflection of Fall and Hernandez's absence in the previous match, or if this is the preferred method against an aggressive lineup like the Loyal.