Coming into Friday night’s Western Conference Semifinal against San Antonio FC, the Oakland Roots had never conceded a goal in their 300 post-season minutes playing in the USL Championship.
The Roots streak ended at 302 minutes when San Antonio’s Sam Adeniran scored off a scramble in the box for a lead two minutes into the game.
It forced Oakland to chase the action for the rest of the match. Despite several quality chances, the Roots could not find the equalizer. They eventually conceded two late goals and fell 3-0 to the first-place Western Conference side.
San Antonio almost doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Cristian Parano’s shot went across the mouth of the goal.
Then Oakland had two excellent chances before the half to equalize.
In the 32nd minute, a Charlie Dennis free kick into the box found an unmarked Danny Barbir at the far post, but he could not direct his header on target.
Just two minutes later forward Óttar Karlsson had a clean shot in the box but San Antonio keeper Jordan Farr deflected his rocket over the bar.
Oakland continued to press, controlling most of the possession in the second half, but an untimely turnover by the Roots in the 75th minute allowed San Antonio to grab control of the game.
San Antonio’s Justin Dhillon jumped on the ball and delivered a square pass that Adeniran slightly redirected to his forward partner Santiago Patiño. He blasted a shot into the top right corner for a 2-0 advantage.
The Roots almost pulled one back in the 88th minute when a Karlsson shot was deflected to teammate Mikael Tørset Johnsen. However, Farr reflexively saved his point-blank shot.
Two minutes later, Patiño added the insurance goal for San Antonio, and the home side safely saw out the remainder of the game.
For the Roots it was a bittersweet ending. It was the second year in a row the team squeezed into the USL playoffs, surprised their first-round opponent, and fell in the Western Conference semifinals.
Last year’s opponent, Orange County SC, went on to win the title. San Antonio could achieve the same result this year.
Next up for Oakland is an off-season of changes. The roster will likely see a turnover in talent. Will interim coach Noah Delgado be named head coach after a successful end of the season? If not, the Roots will look for their fifth head coach in three years.
