The Oakland Roots cruised to a 2-0 victory over their NorCal Rivals, exacting a measure of revenge after Monterey Bay beat Oakland in March.
“We finished with three points on the road. I’m happy,” said Roots head coach Juan Guerra after the game.
A large contingent of Roots fans traveled to Monterey and were rewarded with a brilliant goal in the 21st minute.
Mikael Tørset Johnsen first played a back and forth with Charlie Dennis before lifting a ball over the box to an unmarked Edgardo Rito, who blasted his shot from close range past the keeper for the early lead.
Monterey, who were playing without several of their regular players due to injuries, only threatened the Oakland goal once early in the second half when Monterey’s James Murphy’s shot was deflected off the back of a Roots defender and looked to be knuckleballing into the back of the net. However, Oakland keeper Benny Diaz pushed the ball away from goal and out of bounds.
Dariusz Formella’s strike in the 92nd minute put the game to bed, and Oakland celebrated its second win in a row for the first time this season.
The victory also rocketed the Roots up to 8th place, just outside the final playoff spot held by Sacramento Republic.
“The guys took care of the job, and I’m gonna go in and congratulate them. As you know it wasn’t an easy week for us,” noted Guerra. “Now we need to keep pushing forward, and there is a lot left to go.”
Next Saturday the Roots face off against Rio Grande Valley at 7 pm at Laney College.
