Game Notes & Player Ratings: Oakland Roots Tie 0-0 With Tacoma Defiance

The Oakland Roots drew 0-0 on Wednesday night on the road against Tacoma Defiance, bringing their record to 9-8-13. Roots SC has now gone scoreless in its last three matches.

It was a critical time for the Roots to take three points after LA Galaxy II lost 3-1 to Charleston Battery earlier in the day. Oakland is still four points back of Los Dos and will require the SoCal side to drop its final two matches. Roots must defeat San Diego Loyal on Sunday to keep itself alive. 

Oakland's lack of finishing in the first half came back to haunt them; it's been similar note to the 1-nil loss to Orange County. 

Roots had at least four good chances at net in the first half; Matias Fissore started the action with a shot on target in the 7th minute after Memo Diaz played a nice pass through the legs of Tacoma's defender. 

In the 19th, Kai Greene played a perfect long ball over the top to Johnny Rodriguez--but his first-touch shot wasn't on target. Soon after, Chuy Enriquez could've had a tap-in at 25' after jumping on a mistake by Defiance's backline. 

In the following minute, Quincy Amarikwa missed on a diving header after a nice ball in by Enriquez. 

As for the second half, Oakland couldn't seem to create as many clear-cut opportunities despite drawing seven corners in the latter 45 minutes. 

Things started well with Amarikwa looking for a penalty after a nice nutmeg in the 48th minute, while Rodriguez had a header loop over net in the 54th. But, from there, the looks became more seldom as time went on. 

Oakland gained four corners from the 68th to 74th minute, but couldn't generate any clear looks at the net during that span. Enriquez sent a curling ball towards the net in the 74th, but his attempt took one bounce in front of the keeper and was easily stopped. 

Oakland finished the match with 11 shots, four on target, and eight chances created after taking five shots, two on target, with three chances in the first half.  

Player-Ratings via FotMob.com

    1.    Memo Diaz, 8.1

In 90 minutes, Diaz completed 50 passes (75 percent), 3/6 crosses, 6/11 long balls, three key passes, eight duels won, one clearance, 2/2 successful dribbles,  drew one foul, 3/3 successful tackles, two aerials won, three interceptions, and three recoveries. He finished with 92 touches on the night. 

    2.    Akeem Ward, 7.7

In 90 minutes, Ward recorded one shot and completed 47 passes (85 percent), 1/6 crosses, 4/4 long balls, one key pass, eight duels won, four clearances with two by header, 4/5 successful dribbles, drew one foul, 2/2 successful tackles, one aerial won, and seven recoveries. He finished with 94 touches on the night. 

    3.    Wal Fall, 7.4

In 90 minutes, Fall completed 45 passes (88 percent), 3/6 long balls, one key pass, 10 duels won, 2/2 successful dribbles, drew two fouls, 3/5 successful tackles, one aerial won, one interception, and five recoveries. He finished with 65 touches on the night. 

    4.    Matias Fissore, 7.1

In 90 minutes, Fissore recorded two shots with one on target and completed 40 passes (82 percent), 1/3 long balls, one key pass, seven duels won, 1/1 successful dribble, drew one foul, 2/3 successful tackles, two aerials won, one interception, and two recoveries. He finished with 62 touches on the night. 

    5.    Chuy Enriquez, 7.1

In 81 minutes, Enriquez recorded three shots with two on target and one big chance missed, to go along with 27 completed passes (79 percent), 2/9 crosses, attempted six corners, five duels won, 2/3 successful dribbles, drew two fouls, one aerial won, and five recoveries. He finished with 56 touches on the night. 

    6.    Paul Blanchette, 7.0

In 90 minutes, Blanchette recorded one save by diving, eight throws, completed 17 passes (53 percent), 3/18 long balls, and 13 recoveries. He finished with 44 touches on the night. 

    7.    Johnny Rodriguez, 7.0

In 63 minutes, Rodriguez recorded two shots with one on target and completed 18 passes (75 percent), 1/1 long ball, six duels won, two clearances, 1/2 successful dribbles, 3/2 successful tackles, one aerial won, and five recoveries. He finished with 40 touches on the night. 

    8.    Tarek Morad, 6.7

In 90 minutes, Morad recorded one shot and completed 100 passes (95 percent), 9/10 long balls, three duels won, four clearances, blocked one shot, 1/1 successful tackle, two aerials won, one interception, and six recoveries. He finished with 115 touches on the night. 

    9.    Joseph Nane, 6.7

In 63 minutes, Nane completed 42 passes (89 percent), 1/2 long balls, two duels won, 1/1 successful dribble, drew one foul, one interception, and two recoveries. He finished with 52 touches on the night. 

    10.    Kai Greene, 6.5

In 90 minutes, Greene recorded one shot on target and completed 81 passes (92 percent), 6/10 long balls, one key pass, two duels won, four clearances with three by header, one aerial won, and three recoveries. He finished with 97 touches on the night.