It looked like the Oakland Roots had blown their chance to make the playoffs.
Up 3-1 with fifteen minutes left, the Roots looked sure to defeat San Diego Loyal. Then in ten minutes, Oakland conceded two goals, and defender Tarek Morad earned a straight red card.
But minutes later Roots forward Johnny Rodriguez earned a penalty which Jeremy Bokila converted for a dramatic 4-3 victory.
“We made it emotional more than anything,” said Roots head coach Jordan Ferrell after the game. “The two goals we conceded in the second half were highly unnecessary. At a minimum, I’m proud of the guys for fighting all the way through and getting the three points. That’s huge.”
Both teams strike in first half
San Diego started the game with a well-taken goal from Augustine Williams in the 17th minute.
Then a mistake late in the first half gave the Roots the lifeline they needed to get back into the game.
Loyal defender Callum Montgomery attempted a backpass to his goalkeeper. However, his pass hit the far goalpost for an own goal that tied up the game.
Roots take the lead
Oakland came out of the break on the attack. Roots midfielder Chuy Enriquez scored an excellent goal from a distance to give the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute. Six minutes later, winger Akeem Ward made a nice volley pass to himself in the box to set up his shot that gave the Roots a 3-1 lead.
With the Galaxy losing to Tacoma, Oakland knew they would still have a chance to make the playoffs if they held the lead.
San Diego strikes back
But then the Loyal responded.
Augustine Williams got the home side back within striking distance in the 77th minute when he corralled a cross from Elijah Martin and struck a shot that Roots goalkeeper Paul Blanchette could not keep out of the net.
Then four minutes from the end of regulation, San Diego’s Corey Hertzog got his feet on the ball in a scramble in the box and knocked in the game-tying goal.
After the play, Roots defender Tarek Morad earned a red card for ‘abusive language’ aimed at referee Lukasz Szpala. The card reduced Oakland to ten men.
Roots get dramatic penalty kick
But instead of holding their heads, the Roots continued to attack.
In extra time, forward Johnny Rodriguez was taken down in the box by Loyal goalkeeper Austin Guerrero as both went for a loose ball. Jeremy Bokila stepped up to the spot and scored the game-winning goal into the upper left corner for the victory.
With LA Galaxy II losing 3-2 to Tacoma, the Roots moved to within one point of the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Oakland will have to defeat Sporting KC II at Laney next Saturday, and Los Angeles Galaxy lose to Orange County for the Roots to make the postseason.
“A big advantage there is that we’re going to be at home, and we know that the Laney crowd is going to be rocking,” said Ferrell. “It’s important that we come in and focus so that we get those last three points.”
