Game Notes & Player Ratings: Oakland Concedes Late Goal In 2-2 Draw With Las Vegas

Oh, how the Beautiful Game can be cruel. The Oakland Roots were able to claim a point in its 2-2 draw with Las Vegas Lights on Saturday night at Laney College, but a late goal while holding a man-advantage in the 89th minute prevented Roots from claiming three points. 

With an 8-7-11 record, Roots SC is in sixth place one point behind the Sacramento Republic and LA Galaxy II in fifth and fourth. 

Oakland conceded a goal in the fifth minute after Julian Vazques found Danny Trejo for a tap-in goal on a pass across the face. The inconsistency in which the USL uses an assistant referee is peculiar, especially with a focus on this goal. 

Per the replay, Trejo appeared at least one full stride ahead of Oakland's last defender, Memo Diaz, when Vazquez plays the ball. 

.@lvlightsfc sprints out to the early lead 🏃💨#OAKvLV pic.twitter.com/q3wKDJebmI

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 3, 2021

Similar to the Roots' 2-1 loss to OCSC in its previous match, the home team at Laney was left to rue missed chances.

In the 16th minute, Diaz drew a penalty kick after Mohamed Traore committed a foul in the area. However, Quincy Amarikwa's attempt to the bottom left was saved.

But Amarikwa got Roots on the board nine minutes later on a perfectly placed pass from Lindo Mfeka, launching a hard header into the goal. In the buildup, Diaz found Mfeka on a run down the right-wing, centering a cross to Amarikwa on the first-touch pass. 

QUINCY TIME!

1-1 | #OAKvLV pic.twitter.com/ex1Sym67B4

— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) October 3, 2021

Then the Roots went ahead 2-1 in the 29th minute on an own goal by Tony Leone. The play was nearly identical in the buildup with Diaz springing Mfeka free down the right. The South African then made a cut inside and sent a cross to Amarikwa. 

Leone's attempted defensive header rolled into the net.

"I'm in your HEAD."

2-1 | #OAKvLV pic.twitter.com/4JEBqCY5GI

— Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) October 3, 2021

From there, Oakland had its chances before Traore committed his second yellow card in the 73rd minute. 

Wal Fall had a free kick in the 53rd minute after Mfeka drew a foul about 7 yards above the penalty area. He, unfortunately, could not replicate the fireworks shooting off in the background toward 10th street with his attempt sailing high. 

Johnny Rodriguez, who subbed on in the 64th minute, had a shot clang off the far post after uncorking a low shot from the right side. His ball hit off the right post and into Amarikwa's hand. 

The Lights' equalizer came in the 89th minute on another questionable non-review by the USL. Prior to C.C. Uche's goal, the ball clearly came into contact with Leone's hand prior to his pass over the defense. 

Captain CC's late goal to grab a point in Oakland! 🎉 @AFCU pic.twitter.com/HElxLVtwg2

— Las Vegas Lights FC (@lvlightsfc) October 3, 2021

 Oakland Roots' Jordan Ferrell acknowledged the team's missed chances over the past two weeks and feels the intensity turned off for his squad down the stretch. 

"We gave away two points tonight, for sure. We saw a couple of minutes before the end, it was overconfidence from being up 11 players to 10 is that killed us... 

"You saw one ball in behind and all of a sudden Cal Jennings is one-on-one. It's not like they require a lot of positional attack to be able to create opportunities. We had plenty of chances, balls fizzed across the face of goal. It wasn't like we didn't have chances. The PK is criminal on our side of things, but we're glad that we're creating chances." 

Top-Five Player Ratings via FotMob.com

    1.    Lindo Mfeka, 8.9

Mfeka earns FotMob's top rating with an 8.9 overall. 

In 89 minutes, Mfeka recorded an assist and one shot, completed 29 passes (83 percent), two chances created, 4/6 on crosses, completed 2/4 long balls, six key passes, five corners, 10 duels won, one successful dribble, drew four fouls, four successful tackles, three interceptions, and nine recoveries. 

    2.    Memo Diaz, 7.9

In 90 minutes, Diaz completed 33 passes (60 percent), 5/12 long balls, two key passes, two successful dribbles, 10 duels won, five clearances, drew three fouls including the penalty kick, two successful tackles, three aerials won, and nine recoveries. 

    3.    Matias Fissore, 7.2

In 90 minutes, Fissore recorded one shot, completed 42 passes (82 percent), 3/6 long balls, one key pass, six duels won, two clearances, one successful dribble, drew three fouls, one successful tackle, two interceptions, and eight recoveries.

    4.    Quincy Amarikwa, 7.2

In 72 minutes, Amarikwa scored one goal and recorded four shots with three on target, completed 11 passes (69 percent), one chance created, two big chances missed, five duels won, two successful dribbles, drew two fouls, one aerial won, one interception, and two recoveries. 

    5.    Wal Fall, 7.1

In 90 minutes, Fall recorded four shots with two on target, completed 51 passes (94 percent), 7/8 long balls, nine duels won, two clearances, one successful dribble, drew five fouls, one successful tackle, one aerial won, five interceptions, and eight recoveries.