RootsBlog

Credit: Jonathan Comeaux UPDATE: The Oakland Roots confirmed that Lindo Mfeka will be back for 2022.  Roots have re-signed South African-born midfielder Lindo Mfeka who scored two goals and dished out a team leading four assists in 2021. Learn more: https://t.co/TkNMSwvbTP #OaklandFirstAlways pic.twitter.com/gzAt24HASt — Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) December 8, 2021 “Lindo was an important player for us in 2021” said Roots VP of Soccer Eric Yamamoto, via the team's official site.   “He has qualities that not many others have in this league and the ability to pick a pass and see an angle that helps us create chances.”   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The blog has learned that the Oakland Roots have finalized a contract extension with Lindo Mfeka for the 2022 season, according to multiple sources.  An official announcement from the club is considered to be imminent ...

I am thrilled with this initial group of players the Roots are bringing back. With one glaring exception, this is essentially the entire defense (which, as you may recall, conceded zero goals in 210 minutes of playoff soccer). As our readers are surely aware, RootsBlog loves a large lad , so I am personally thrilled about Greene returning.  John Morrissey, of USL tactics, a much more reliable source than I am, is focusing on the fullbacks: I’m more amped about Diaz and Ward than anything. I thought they were dynamite all year, as good as basically any fullback combo in the league. — john morrissey (@USLTactics) December 2, 2021 The team could probably go into next season without bringing in any new starters on defense, although both fullbacks surely need backups.  I am not advocating for the team to go into the season with only these players plus backups.  But I think it is a very good start on defense. Outside of defense, though, there is a lot of work still to be done...

The Oakland Roots announced its initial roster decisions for the 2022 season on Thursday, declaring that they have picked up contract extensions for Taylor Bailey , Paul Blanchette, Matias Fissore, Kai Greene, Ariel Mbumba, and Johnny Rodriguez. Players under multi-year deals include Akeem Ward, Memo Diaz, Tarek Morad, Max Ornstil , and Jose Hernandez, while Hernandez carries a contract option for 2023.  The Roots currently only have 12 players listed on its roster, meaning players like Emrah Klimenta, Lindo Mfeka , Quincy Amarikwa ,  Joseph Nane, and Chuy Enriquez have yet to be hammered down.  According to sources, the organization is still in conversation with a "couple more players" from the 2021 roster. Negotiations are considered ongoing.  “I’m very excited about the strong core that we will have returning,” said Technical Director Jordan Ferrell, via the team's official site. “The group we had this past season was special and keeping continuity while add...

Welcome to Friday's edition of the blog's live coverage of Oakland Roots' playoff opener against El Paso Locomotive, typing alongside a rowdy group of supporters at Old Kan Beer & Co. Wish me luck. Saying the season had its lows and highs are all too obvious; trailing in last place at 2-5-8 and climbing all the way up to fourth in the Pacific Division. Here we are, Roots fans, in the playoffs in the organization's first USL Championship season.  To the Soccer Gods, please don't let this be the Roots' last game. Helping build RootsBlog while getting to know the staff, front office, and supporters has been an indescribable joy. We don't want the season to end; Bloom and myself both put 2-1 Oakland victories in the universe in his official preview.  Lawson, meanwhile, is going the late, heartache and devastation route with El Paso winning 4-2 in PKs.  John Morrissey predicted a 3-0 El Paso win in his annual playoff preview, noting that Akeem Ward and Memo ...

Photo courtesy of SportingKC.com The Oakland Roots announced that they have signed 20-year old wingback Travian Sousa on Tuesday ahead of the USL Championship's roster freeze deadline. This comes five days after the Modesto-native mutually terminated his previous contract with Sporting KC II.  “We are excited to add such a young player with great potential to the team as we head down the stretch run of the season,” said Roots VP of Soccer Eric Yamamoto, via the team's official site . “Travian has shown tremendous ability at the US Youth National Team levels over the past decade.” Prior to his stint in Kansas City, Sousa signed with Hamburg FC's U19 program in July of 2019 and made 14 appearances for the group. He signed with Hamburger SV II in the Regionalliga Nord in January 1 of 2020 right before the global pandemic and struggled to carve out a role, only playing twice.  Hamburg elected to release Sousa in October of last year due to disciplinary reasons. Despite his toug...

Photo courtesy of USLChampionship.com The Oakland Roots announced that they have loaned Saalih Muhammad to New Mexico United for the remainder of the season, and in return receive forward Brian Brown on loan for the rest of 2021.  Both players have an additional year remaining on their contracts and will return for the 2022 season.  Muhammad returns to NMU, where he's made 34 appearances from 2019-2020 and scored once. The club welcomed him back on its socials.  REUNITED ⚫️🟡. Saalih Muhammad returns to New Mexico on loan from @oaklandrootssc for the remainder of the season! pic.twitter.com/Uwkm6BSTTV — New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) August 27, 2021 Muhammad, 26, was the first signing by the Roots prior to its entry into the USL Championship, but the defensive midfielder hasn't been able to carve out a consistent role with just six appearances, usually rotating between center back and central midfield.   “We are thrilled to welcome Saalih back to New Mexico ...