Just when the Roots looked to be heading to another disappointing loss, a Tarek Morad header earned Oakland their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw against New Mexico United.
Here are three things we learned from the game:
Tarek Morad saves the day for Roots
It hasn’t been the easiest tenure for Tarek Morad with the Roots. He was the starting center back for Oakland during most of their losing streak in 2021. Just when the Roots offense started to click, he suffered an injury and then was a bench player for the rest of the year after Kai Greene and Emrah Klimenta teamed up so well in the central defense.
But Morad is known as a natural leader, and with the Roots desperate for a result, he delivered when his team needed it the most.
In second-half stoppage time, Oakland found itself down 2-1. After an early Charlie Dennis goal in the eighth minute, New Mexico’s Neco Brett poked home a goal just before the halftime whistle. Sergio Rivas snuck behind the Roots defense to get a goal in the 69th minute, setting up Morad’s last-minute heroics.
In the 92nd minute, a Roots corner kick ended up at the feet of Chuy Enriquez. He passed it back to the far post, where an unmarked Morad slammed the ball past United keeper Alex Tambakis and helped Oakland avoid a four-game losing streak to start the campaign.
Throughout the game, Morad also was a leader on the field. He was first to congratulate Dennis after his opening strike and was constantly yelling and trying to keep up the team’s intensity.
It’s clear that Morad is integral to helping the Roots right their ship and start getting more positive results.
Charlie Dennis provides the offensive punch
Despite Roots head coach Juan Guerra mixing and matching many players during Oakland’s first four games, one of the mainstays has been new signing Charlie Dennis.
Dennis grew up in Brighton, England, and played college soccer in the USA. After impressing in the third division USL League One for FC Tuscon and South Georgia Tormenta FC, the Roots signed him to solidify their midfield.
Dennis rewarded Guerra’s belief on Wednesday night with an excellent first half. In the eight-minute, Dennis took advantage of a broken play to get free in the box and deliver a precise strike to give the Roots the early 1-0 advantage.
He also had another great chance in the 34th minute when he danced outside the box and shot a ball off the crossbar.
He was also the first choice for free kicks and corners for the rest of the game. Dennis looks like an attacking player that will continue to positively contribute to Oakland through the year.
The good and bad of Edgardo Rito
One of the most exciting players brought into the Roots this offseason is Egdargo Rito.
A right-back, Rito, 26, is a native of Venezuela. He started his career at Atletico El Vigia. He previously played for another USL side, the New York Red Bulls II, in 2019 and 2020 and made 34 appearances.
Rito has shown himself to be an important piece getting forward and crossing balls for Oakland. He set up the second goal against Monterey Bay last Saturday and delivered the cross in the first half against New Mexico that ended with Dennis’ goal.
However, he has been a liability to the defense all year.
Against Memphis a few weeks ago, he was caught sleeping on their second goal of that game.
He was also responsible for another defensive mistake against New Mexico on Wednesday.
In the 69th minute, Rito softly covered New Mexico’s Sergio Rivas at the far post. He started ball-watching and didn’t react when Rivas found himself all alone to head in the cross and give United a 2-1 lead.
Fortunately for Oakland, they were able to claw back and earn a point. However, Guerra will have to figure out if Rito’s attacking prowess is enough to overcome his defensive liabilities.
