It was another game of the Oakland Roots controlling the possession but ending up with only a point after tying the Las Vegas Lights 1-1. Here are three things we learned from the game.
The Nordic connection
Two of the most impressive players so far this season for Oakland have been the two Nordic imports: Óttar Magnús Karlsson and Mikael Tørset Johnsen.
Karlsson, from Iceland, and Johnsen, from Norway, are both on loan this season from Italian Serie A side Venezia. Their quality is apparent to everyone on the field.
Oakland’s first goal was a quick combination between Johnsen and Karlsson attacking the Lights’ defense straight down the middle of the pitch.
In the third minute, Johnsen gained control of the ball and pushed it immediately down the field. Karlsson ran in front, and it was a simple pass that allowed him to get by the final defender and score the opening goal.
Karlsson has been impressive with six goals through the team’s first eleven games, tied for the league leaders in goals scored.
Johnsen was working himself into shape after an injury and only made his first appearance for the Roots last weekend. He has quickly shown his quality in the midfield with a 95.6 passing accuracy and an 88 percent pass accuracy in the opponents’ half against Vegas.
It will be interesting to see how the dynamic duo from Scandanavia continues to grow and the impact they can have on Oakland for the rest of the season.
Possession not leading to goals for Roots
Oakland once again controlled the possession game against Vegas, 58 to 42 percent.
In their last three games, Oakland has easily won the possession game. Last week against Orange County, it was 69 percent to 31 percent. The week before, against Colorado Springs Switchbacks, it was 61 percent to 39 percent.
However, that success in control of the ball has not led to similar advantage in goal-scoring opportunities.
Against Colorado, it was a 5-4 advantage in shots on target. The game ended up a 3-0 loss.
Against Orange County, the Roots only had two shots on target versus three for the SoCal side. It ended in a 2-2 draw.
And Vegas? The Roots had three shots on target versus the Lights two shots. The result? Another tie.
At some point, all this possession Oakland produces needs to lead to more goal-scoring attempts on target. And then maybe all these draws will turn into wins.
Will Roots playing 5 of next 6 games at Laney lead to wins?
Maybe all the Roots need to do is return to the friendly confines of Laney Stadium in Oakland in front of their fans to get some wins. Oakland’s schedule has turned incredibly generous, with five home games in the next six weeks.
Next Saturday, May 21, the Roots play LA Galaxy II, currently holding the last playoff spot in the Western Conference five points ahead of Oakland in the standings.
Then on the 28th, Oakland faces off against their NorCal rivals, the Sacramento Republic. We can only hope for a game as intense as last October’s matchup at Laney.
After a midweek game hosting Orange County, Oakland will jump on the team bus for a short ride down to Monterey. They will try and avenge their home season-opening loss on June 4.
Oakland then has two more games against conference rivals, Rio Grande Valley on June 11 and New Mexico United on June 15, before they head back on the road.
At the minimum, Oakland needs to win at least three games to get their season on track. Anything less would leave the Roots staring at an ever-growing deficit between them and the last USL playoff spot.
