It’s been a busy offseason for the Oakland Roots as they lay the foundations for a successful 2023 season. Here is a roundup of what’s happened so far.
Noah Delgado named head coach
After taking over for Juan Guerra and leading the Roots into the playoffs, the team officially named Noah Delgado as the permanent coach for the upcoming season.
“In 2022, he stepped in as head coach at a difficult moment and not only steadied the ship but was able to guide this team back where it belongs in the playoffs,” noted Technical Director Jordan Ferrell.”
Delgado grew up in the East Bay and played for Fresno State in College. After being drafted by the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy, Delgado spent his pro career in the USL. He played for the Portland Timbers, Syracuse Salty Dogs, and Rochester Rhinos before playing most of his career with the Puerto Rico Islanders.
In 2021 and 2022, Delgado was an assistant coach for the Roots and the El Salvador national team before taking over as head coach for Oakland after Guerra left.
“Oakland is a truly special city with some of the best fans and people anywhere in the world and Oakland Roots are a unique club who put the time and work in for the community they represent,” said Delgado after the announcement. “The 2023 season can not come soon enough.”
Roster: Who is left, who is staying, who is coming
Like many USL sides, the Oakland Roots are undergoing significant roster changes for the 2023 season.
Who left?
In the midfield, Jose Hernandez, Matias Fissore, Joseph Nane, and Chuy Enriquez have left. The club is in talks with Enríquez and Nane about possibly returning. The Roots traded Charlie Dennis to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
In defense: Alejandro Fuenmayor is gone, and Max Ornstil retired
In attack: Juan Azócar, Mikael Johnsen, and Óttar Magnús Karlsson, who were all on loan, have returned to their home clubs
Who returned?
In midfield: Lindo Mfeka and Wolfgang Prentice return
In defense: Danny Barbir, Emrah Klimenta Tarek Morad, Edgardo Rito and Memo Diaz return
In attack: Dariusz Formella and Johnny Rodriguez return
In goal: Paul Blanchette and Taylor Bailey return
Who is coming?
In midfield: Napo Matsoso, Trayvone Reid, Ryan Her, and Daniel Gomez
Matsoso is a USL veteran who played 89 games for Lousiville FC, scoring 11 goals.” Napo is someone capable of playing multiple positions and doing so at a high level on a consistent basis,” noted Roots Director of Player Personnel Nana Attakora.
Reid, 22, comes to the Roots after playing for Harbour View FC in Jamaica. “His creativity on the dribble and intelligence in the box fit well with our way of playing, and we look forward to watching him grow with Roots,” said Technical Director Jordan Ferrell
Her featured 70 times for the University of Pacific. “Ryan is a player we’ve monitored for quite some time now,” said Ferrell.
Gomez is a product of Project 510. He played collegiately for CSU Stanislaus.
The Roots also are expected to add some more attacking and defensive help.
Roots narrow interim stadium to two locations
The Oakland Roots announced that their search for an interim modular stadium location had been narrowed down to two areas: at the Oakland Coliseum and the former Naval Base at Alameda Point.
The new stadium will also house Oakland Soul SC, the club’s women’s team, scheduled to begin playing in 2023, and the club’s development team, Project 51O.
“We are very excited to have found two sites that meet our needs,” said Oakland Roots and Soul President Lindsay Barenz. “Both locations have challenges, but nothing that we can’t work through. The Coliseum will require work to ensure an interim stadium plan and the future of the Coliseum site are coordinated with several parties involved, and the former Naval Base at Alameda Point presents some transportation and parking issues.”
The Roots are hoping to build a 10,000-seat stadium, nearly double their current capacity at Laney College. A new stadium will also allow the club to add luxury suites and other premium customer amenities that will help the team increase its revenue streams. They asked for fans to take a survey about their choice for a top location for the stadium.
