Postgame Presser: Full Quotes From Jordan Ferrell Following 2-1 Win Over San Diego Loyal

The Oakland Roots claimed three points on Wednesday night under the lights of Las Positas College, marking its final trip out to Livermore for the rest of the 2021 regular season, defeating Landon Donovan's San Diego Loyal 2-1 with a wonder-goal by Johnny Rodriguez in the sixth minute and Jose Hernandez by way of a PK in the 63rd. 

Roots SC with its 8-6-10 record has now climbed out of last place from prior to Aug. 25's 3-1 win over Phoenix Rising and into a fourth-place playoff position just seven matches later. 

Wednesday's match featured the return of Wal Fall, Matias Fissore, and Jose Hernandez to lead the midfield, but Fall had to be subbed off at halftime for Joseph Nane due to injury. Then in the 77th minute, Max Ornstil replaced Nane after also sustaining an issue.

Oakland now looks ahead to Orance County SC on the road at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine this Saturday. 

Roots' technical director and interim head coach Jordan Ferrell approached our postgame just gaining the knowledge that they've moved into fourth-place. Here's a full transcript of his press conference:

You're now in 4th place, what do you tell the guys?

Ferrell: "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." 

The match goes 1-1, take me from there:

Ferrell: "We noticed in the first half that we weren’t getting the pressure we needed playing with four backs in the first half, and they were able to get their head up and get the diagonal passes. So we shifted to five in the second half and that gave us better management. It forced them to play short and play through us which isn’t really their game. 

"They still were able to get into the 18 but everything was coming from angles, which is easier for us to defend. I think in the second half they were only able to get one real shot on goal and Paul was able to save it pretty comfortably."

Was it the same system you faced from SD in the 0-0 draw?

Ferrell: "When their coaching staff yells, I think [Loyal] got nervous at a certain point and started playing like rabid wolves instead of playing their football. I thought that might change a bit when Charlie Adams came on, and it did, but they weren't as efficient getting into the 18. 

"They were moving a little frantic and that feeds to us. It wasn't our best game tonight, but we did what we needed to do." 

Regarding Johnny Rodriguez's impact since returning to the lineup:

Ferrell: "It's funny because 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."

Regarding the return of Wal Fall, Matias Fissore, and Jose Hernandez:

Ferrell: "We spoke after the Tacoma match about how we didn't hold the ball in midfield. Tonight, even when we don't have the ball, their work defensively to organize the team made a big difference in the first half and down the stretch as well. 

"Mati and Jose did really well in front of the back line to close stuff down in the second half." 

On adjusting from the successive injuries to Wal Fall and Joseph Nane:

Ferrell: "Neither one of them are going to miss extended time; they just felt something and we're not inclined to push it at this stage of the season. Its unfortunate, especially Nane subbing in and then having to sub out, but Max Ornstil did a great job stepping in when called on and I think that's been the mentality of the entire group.'

"There's going to be changes, but we are deep. We know that we can rely on other people, not just the starting 11. We had to do that tonight, so credit to the whole group for getting three points."