The Oakland Roots will take to the field in 2019, joining a new pro-level league being formed by the National Premier Soccer League.
Oakland will be one of eleven founding clubs for the league which will include several prominent independent American soccer teams like the New York Cosmos, Detroit City, and Chattanooga FC. Four of founding teams will be located in California: the Roots, ASC San Diego, Cal FC, and California United Strikers FC.
Those teams will compete in a ‘Founders Cup’ competition starting next August through November before launching a full season schedule in the spring of 2020.
“We are very excited to bring a new brand of community-based soccer to the U.S. market,” said NPSL Chairman Joe Barone. “Beginning with the Founders Cup, fans will be able to enjoy watching authentic clubs compete with professional players and staff.”
For the Roots, who recently announced their name and crest, it’s been a long and winding path to bring a soccer team to Oakland. The idea was hatched by Benno Nagel, the club’s President and Director of Soccer, co-founders Edreece Arghandiwal, Mike Geddes and Benjamin Aziz almost two years ago. Although the American soccer landscape has changed significantly since then, Nagel and his partners have worked diligently and patiently to make their dream a reality.
One of the founding principles of the Roots was a commitment to represent the Oakland community. The club formed an advisory committee made of individuals from Oakland who were just as excited by the opportunity of bringing a soccer team to the city.
“People want to see a team that cares about the community,” said Nagel. “We believe in Oakland, and we believe in the sport of soccer, and its continued growth. So let’s start this thing now and see where it can take us.”
Oakland chose to join the NPSL instead of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) which also plans to start to play in the fall of 2019. Nagel believes competing against marque brands like the former NASL clubs New York Cosmos and Miami FC as well as the NPSL’s Detroit City will help grown the Roots brand and identity in the Bay Area.
“We also see the aspirations they have behind it. The owners of the New York Cosmos and Miami FC, those are some pretty serious guys when it comes to soccer,” noted Nagel. “These are guys that are not folding anytime soon.”
The team was not able to join the USL, the second division of professional soccer in the United States, because USL East Bay acquired the territorial rights for the region. USL East Bay plans to bring a professional soccer club, most likely located in Concord, to the East Bay by 2021.
Nagel noted that the Roots have put together a financial ownership group that is committed to the long-term growth of the team. One of the ownership partners is Steven Aldrich, Chief Product officer for GoDaddy.com, who has helped many startup companies get their footing.
“The vision they have of creating a great experience on the field and a great experience in the community and really be a symbol of pride for the city makes a lot of sense,” explained Aldrich, especially with the Raiders and Golden State Warriors about to leave Oakland.
“Those things have led to Benno and company activating the community,” and supporting a new sports team in Oakland said Aldrich. “You have an incredible sense of pride that the idea is now happening.”
More details about the Roots and where they will play in Oakland are expected to be released in the next few months.
“We just want to make it clear that we’re built for Oakland and we’re committed to bringing the highest level of soccer to Oakland,” added Nagel.
