The Oakland Roots and San Diego Loyal took turns throwing punches, but both teams could not land the knockout punch. Instead, they settled for a scoreless draw at Laney College on Saturday evening.
“It’s good for us to get the point against one of the best teams in the West,” said Roots head coach Jordan Ferrell. “…I felt it was a really good football match for being 0-0. Luckily, we get them two more times this season.”
It was an even first half between the home side and the SoCal visitors, and each team had a quality chance to get on the board.
In the 26th minute, Roots defender Emrah Klimenta got free just outside the box and fired a shot across the goal mouth just wide of the far post.
Four minutes later, San Diego looked certain to score when a cross from Elijah Martin was headed to the top left corner of the goal by Augustine Williams. However, Roots goalkeeper Paul Blanchette was able to fully stretch out in the air and push away William’s shot.
“It was a great header, and somehow I saved it,” said Blanchette. “I pulled a joker out of the pocket.”
San Diego came out strong in the second half putting the Roots under sustained pressure. But Blanchette came up big again for Oakland, stopping two quality chances on free kicks in the 54th and 56th minute. His first save was an incredible reaction save on a point-blank shot.
For the final twenty-five minutes of the game, the Roots had the better of the play. Led by the constant pressure of forward Johnny Rodriguez and substitutes Lindo Mfeka and Ariel Mbubmba, Oakland created sustained pressure with several half chances. In the end, the Roots could not get a proper strike on target and claim the full three points.
“I think if we’re just a hair sharper, we take the shot a little earlier; they’re goals,” explained Ferrell.
“Towards the end there, I think we could’ve taken the full three points at home,” added Blanchette. “I think we should’ve done it.”
Oakland remains ten points behind second-place San Diego in the Pacific Division standings but did gain ground on fourth place Tacoma with the draw. They now sit six points behind the Defiance and face a must-win game on Wednesday night against Tacoma at their home away from home: Las Positas in Livermore.
