An unlikely brace by defender Lamar Batista powered San Antonio FC to a 3-1 win over the visiting Oakland Roots on Saturday night in the season opener for both clubs. Batista signed with San Antonio on Thursday, after Rochester NY FC announced that it was ceasing operations.
This was one of the most challenging matches on the Roots’ schedule, played in 88 degree Texas heat and facing a team that lost at home only once last season, on their way to winning the league championship.
But while losing was hardly unexpected, there were hopeful signs for the future. After a challenging first half the Roots created numerous chances, forcing San Antonio’s goalkeeper Jordan Farr to make several difficult saves.
The starting lineup featured 10 holdovers from last season, with Napo Matsoso being the lone newcomer. But Oakland also has reinforcements coming, with key offseason acquisitions Bryan Tamacas and Kevin Wright currently unavailable.
And three of the Roots’ newcomers made their debuts as substitutes, including Venezuelan striker Anuar José Peláez Paba who replaced Johnny Rodriguez in the 67th minute. Peláez’s shot attempt from outside the penalty area was set up by fellow newcomer Irakoze Donasiyano.
Jamaican forward Trayvon Reid also nearly scored in second half stoppage time, eluding a pair of defenders and releasing a curving shot that required Farr to make a diving stop to deflect it over the endline.
A Rocky Start for the Roots
San Antonio took control of the match early. The first clear chance came in the 9th minute, when “PC” (Victor Pagliari Giro) sent in a free kick from 25 yards out. Justin Dhillon’s header was on target, but Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette made the save.
And the host side got on the board 3 minutes later, when Oakland defenders gave Nikolaj Hansen too much room as he made his run into the penalty area. Hansen cut toward the middle and fired a hard, low shot into the lower left corner of the net.
The Roots nearly equalized in the 41st minute, when Farr got in the way of a blast by Emrah Klimenta from the right side of the six yard box.
Oakland’s uphill battle became even more difficult when the hosts doubled their lead in the second minute of first half stoppage time, on a spectacular bicycle kick by Batista, set up by PC’s corner kick.
But the Roots quickly regrouped and created a pair of chances for themselves. The first came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Edgardo Rito’s through ball found Darek Formella wide open in front of the goal. But Farr got a hand on the ball and deflected it away.
Two minutes later, Memo Diaz sent in a cross from near the right touchline. Rodriguez’s soft header was on target, but Farr once again made the stop.
A Second Half Goal, and a Defensive Blunder
Oakland’s improved play continued early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Edgardo Rito made a long run along the sideline and dished the ball to Lindo Mfeka at the top of the box, but Farr was able to direct it over the endline.
The Roots finally got on the board in the 61st minute, when Rito’s cross found Diaz open on the left side. San Antonio’s Connor Maloney tried to head his shot off the line, but it still went in.
It appeared that Oakland had a chance to earn a draw with an equalizer, but a mistake by Blanchette put the match out of reach in the 73rd minute. Batista lofted a clearance from just over midfield. Blanchette furiously backtracked but the ball sailed over his head and into the open net.
The Roots have one more road match next Sunday versus the RGV Toros before their home opener on March 25 against Memphis 901.
