Game Notes & Player Ratings: Oakland Roots Fall 1-0 To Phoenix Rising

Photo credit Oakland Roots SC

The Oakland Roots took a narrow 1-0 loss to Phoenix Rising on Saturday night at the Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass in... Chandler... On the outskirts of Phoenix without a wifi signal. 

The loss brings Roots' record to 9-7-12, still with 34 points and one point behind LA Galaxy II for a fourth-place qualification spot. Meanwhile, Tacoma sits with 33 points after defeating Sac Republic 4-1 last night. 

The Roots had its chances, including a shot from Lindo Mfeka that rang off of the crossbar and ricocheted a foot in front of the end line. But so did Phoenix Rising, particularly in the first half, controlling the action in the opening 45 minutes to have 15 shots compared to Oakland's five. 

Roots SC was able to make their presence felt in the second half, finishing the night with 14 shots, four on target, 11 chances created, and three big opportunities.

Goalie Paul Blanchette was critical for the Roots, recording seven saves on the night with four requiring dives. He had one critical diving stop on Santi Moar at 45+2' to keep Oakland at a goal deficit. 

Phoenix put their eventual game-winner on the board in the 11th minute when Darron Mattocks scored by way of a header from a free-kick from Aodhan Quinn. On the play, Quinn sent a long pass in Mattocks charging towards net unmarked, knocking the ball in after its first bounce. 

Always practice your set pieces kiddos. #RisingAsOne | @DarrenMattocks pic.twitter.com/nlZs8qPHMK

— y-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 10, 2021

 Roots were able to gain a couple of empty chances in the following minutes. At the start of the 14th minute, Akeem Ward centered a cross to  Lindo Mfeka, starting again in the #9, charging in--but Phoenix got a defensive header on it. 

Then in the 20th minute, Kai Greene had a low header skim past the right post after Jose Hernandez sent in a cross that trickled through the box. In the 22nd minute, Mfeka had a shot stuffed after Johnny Rodriguez worked his way past Tate Schmitt. 

Roots' best opportunity of the first half came in the 23rd when Mfeka had a first-touch shot ring off of the crossbar. It came from another well-placed cross by Ward down the right-wing. 

Jose Hernandez won a free-kick a few feet above the area in the same sequence, but Wal Fall's shot arced high and right. 

In the second half, Roots were left to rue several chances. Perhaps Oakland's best look at goal came in the 62nd minute when Matias Fissore played a long ball to Rodriguez, and after a pair of mistakes by Schmitt and James Musa, the Roots' forward was briefly one-on-one with Rising keeper Andre Rawls.

Rodriguez toed the ball the left past Rawls, but Musa was able to hurry back to the end line, resulting in Johnny centering a pass to Mfeka--but he was unable to make contact on his shot attempt. 

Oakland didn't get another clear chance on net until the 76th minute when Jeremy Bokila, who subbed on six minutes prior, had a header to the right post but standing in good position was Rawls for the easy save. 

Then in the 81st minute, left back Soya Takahashi curled a shot through the defense and toward the far post, but Rawls athletically stuck his hand out for the diving save--resulting in a corner. Emrah Klimenta also had a shot trail high in the 84th. 

In the 89th, Bokila had an opportunity after swiftly stealing the ball from Joseph Farrell but his attempt to shoot the ball high over Rawls, while out of position, sailed over the net. 

Oakland tried one last gasp at 90+2' when Memo Diaz whipped in a cross toward Fall, who made solid contact on the directed header, but Rawls was in good position for the save, once again. 

The Roots now has four more opportunities to lock down a playoff spot; against Orange County at Laney on Oct. 16, at Tacoma on Oct. 20, at San Diego on Oct. 24, and the season-finale at Laney against Sporting KC II on Oct. 30. 

Player-Ratings via FotMob.com

    1.    Akeem Ward, 7.7

In 64 minutes, Ward completed 25 passes (78 percent), one chance created, one key pass, five duels won, three clearances, one headed clearance, one successful dribble, 2/2 for successful tackles, two aerials won, six interceptions, and six recoveries. 

    2.    Paul Blanchette, 7.4

In 90 minutes, Blanchette recorded seven saves, four of which were diving, four saves inside the penalty area, one high claim, completed 16 passes (47 percent), 5/23 long balls, and eight recoveries.

    3.    Kai Greene, 7.2

In 90 minutes, Greene recorded one shot, completed 50 passes (89 percent), 5/7 long balls, missed one big opportunity, five duels won, four clearances, two headed clearances, one successful dribble, three aerials won, and 10 recoveries. 

   4.    Emrah Klimenta, 7.2

In 90 minutes, Klimenta recorded three shots with one on target, completed 48 passes (86 percent), 2/4 long balls, blocked one shot, four duels won, two clearances, one successful tackle, one interception, and 10 recoveries. 

    5.    Wal Fall, 7.0

In 90 minutes, Fall recorded two shots with one on target and one blocked, completed 43 passes (86 percent), 1/1 long ball, five duels won, one successful dribble, drew two fouls, one successful tackle, one aerial won, two interceptions, and five recoveries. 

    6.    Jose Hernandez, 7.0

In 90 minutes, Hernandez completed 52 passes (87 percent), one chance created, 2/4 on crosses, 3/5 long balls, took two corners, three duels won, one clearance, drew two fouls, one successful tackle, and seven recoveries. 

    7.    Soya Takahashi, 6.9

In 90 minutes, Takahashi recorded one shot on target, completed 26 passes (90 percent), 2/2 long balls, six duels won, one clearance by a header, 3/3 successful dribbles, drew one foul, two tackle attempts, one interception, and three recoveries.

    8.    Matias Fissore, 6.8

In 45 minutes, Fissore completed 27 passes (93 percent), 4/4 long balls, one key pass, three duels won, 3/3 successful tackles, one interception, and one recovery. 

    9.    Jeremy Bokila, 6.8

In 19 minutes, Bokila recorded three shots with two on target, completed one pass (100 percent), a key pass, missed one big opportunity, two duels won, drew one foul, one successful tackle, and two recoveries.    

    10.    Ariel Mbumba, 6.6

In 77 minutes, Mbumba recorded one shot which was blocked, completed 16 accurate passes (84 percent), three duels won, 3/4 successful dribbles, and three recoveries.