Miguel Ibarra scored the only goal for San Diego Loyal. (Photo San Diego Loyal)
The Oakland Roots could not score a goal for the third game running, losing to San Diego Loyal 1-0.
Here are three things we learned from the game.
1) Oakland needs to reboot offense
A few weeks ago, it seemed that Oakland had no worries about their attack. After a scoreless start against Phoenix, the team erupted for three goals in their comeback win against LA Galaxy II and three more in their draw against Sacramento Republic.
But in their past three games, the team has been unable to score any goals.
In the first game of their scoreless streak, the Roots had multiple chances to score against Orange County but could not convert. But their offensive shortcomings have become evident in their past two games against Austin Bold and San Diego Loyal.
Austin outshot Oakland 16-3, and San Diego outshot Oakland 12-5.
GAME RECAP: Oakland Roots scoring drought continues in loss to San Diego Loyal
It’s not hard to see why the Roots have so few scoring opportunities.
The touch map shows Austin (black) with the majority of possession and touches in Roots (brown) half of field. (USL)
Against Austin, the touch map above shows that the Roots had few chances or touches from 18 yards or closer to the goal. Austin had five shots in the box versus Oakland’s one shot. Austin also had 19 crosses versus the Roots five crosses.
The touch map shows San Diego (brown) with the majority of possession and touches in Roots (black) half of field. (USL)
The field didn’t look any friendlier to the Roots versus the Loyal. Once again, the touch map showed the Roots hardly had any possession in San Diego’s final third of the pitch while the Loyal controlled sixty-four percent of the ball. In fact, it was over seventy percent possession until San Diego scored in the 71st minute and then fell back to protect the lead.
San Diego also connected 546 passes versus 317 for Oakland.
Those stats pretty much speak for themselves. The opposition is pressuring Oakland from the start, forcing the defense, midfield, and forwards to fall back. The Roots midfield has not been able to control the ball and attacking forwards are being left high and dry with few opportunities.
Oakland forward Jeremy Bokila attempted to be as dangerous as possible against San Diego with the few chances he had. However, that makes him have to convert any half attempt on target.
It’s clear that the rest of the USL has adjusted to the Roots attack and now it’s up to Jordan Ferrell and the technical coaches to figure out how to respond.
Hopefully, the addition of former New York Red Bulls forward and 2016 USL rookie of the year Brandon Allen will jump-start Oakland’s attack.
2) Defense goes from weakness to strength
Thankfully for Oakland, the team’s once glaring weakness, its defense, is now its strength. Although the Roots have not scored they have also only given up two goals in three games. That is even while the team has rotated between a three-back or four-back line.
The mainstay in the defense has been Tarek Morad who has twelve clearances in the past two games as centerback.
With the Roots offensive struggles the defense has little room for error while constantly being under pressure.
Hopefully, Oakland can figure out its offensive issues to give the defense some breathing room in case they do make an error.
3) Zeus de la Paz plusses outweigh minuses
One thing is clear with the Roots first-choice goalkeeper: Every game is going to be an adventure.
Zeus de la Paz has the penchant to make spectacular saves but also almost as spectacular a mistake on back passes.
His defensive prowess included a six save game against Austin Bold that earned de la Paz USL player-of-the-week honors.
Early in the first half de la Paz creative line-drive goal kick to Bokila almost led to an Oakland goal against the run of play.
However, the Roots goalkeeper has looked unsteady all season on backpasses to his feet. He coughed up a goal in their team’s season opener to Phoenix Rising and almost did as well against both Austin and San Diego.
But it is clear that is part of the adventure with de la Paz in goal and a worthy risk if he continues to make spectacular saves.
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