It took until the third-to-last week of the USL season, but the Oakland Roots finally find themselves in a playoff position in the standings after their 2-1 victory over Birmingham Legion.
Winger Juan Azocar’s goal in the 84th minute helped Oakland claim the full three points and jump from tenth to sixth place with two road games left to end the season.
“After everything we’ve been through this season, after this tough stretch of games — Birmingham Legion is a very good team — it’s crunch time,” said Roots head coach Noah Delgado. The players know it, the trainings are intense, everything is heightened. To come out and give an effort like we did tonight was good for us.”
A capacity crowd of 5,509 urged on the Roots from the start, but the visitors struck first.
In the 21st minute, Legion striker Juan Agudelo was able to first time a pass around center back Alejandro Fuenmayor and run in on goal in the box. Two Roots defenders converged on Agudelo, but the ball ended up squirting out to Birmingham’s Enzo Martínez, who was able to power the ball past Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette and into the net.
However, the Roots quickly responded three minutes later. Azocar lofted in a cross from the left sideline that Legion defender Alex Crognale headed out. Fortunately for Oakland, the ball landed directly at the feet of Óttar Magnús Karlsson, who made no mistake in bringing the game to 1-1.
Next up was Roots goalkeeper Paul Blanchette to the rescue.
Birmingham’s Bruno Lapa in the 28th minute, Anderson Asiedu in the 38th minute, and Zachary Herivaux in the 52nd minute all had excellent chances on target that Blanchette well covered.
“That’s what we ask for from our goalkeeper,” noted Delgado. “He was outstanding tonight.”
Keeping the score level helped set up Azocar’s heroics.
Fuenamayor found himself with the ball well up the field and passed it out to substitute Memo Diaz. With time he was able to pick out a perfectly time run by Azocar who was wide open to head the game winner past Legion goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.
Birmingham’s Mataeo Bunbury had one last chance to equalize in the 91st minute but Blanchette snuffed it out an,d the Roots got three essential points.
Now the Roots have to wait for Monterey Bay versus Tampa Bay on Sunday and El Paso Locomotive vs. Colorado Springs on Wednesday to see if they keep sixth place in the standings. Then they travel across the country and face off against Hartford Athletic.
