In a match that their coach called “a tough, grind out game,” the Oakland Roots settled for a scoreless draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday night.
“I’m proud of the boys,” Head Coach Noah Delgado said after the match. “A little adversity with players missing and different things. Just part of the grind. I thought we had some good moments. I think we still could create a little bit more, but give a lot of credit to Pittsburgh. They’re solid defensively, very organized, well coached.”
The visitors began the match in first place in the USL’s Eastern Conference, having won 5 consecutive USL matches, while Oakland is among a tightly packed group of teams battling for playoff position in the Western Conference.
The Roots’ lineup included several changes, due in part of the absence of Bryan Tamacas and Neveal Hackshaw, both of whom will be playing for their national teams in the Gold Cup. Perhaps the most surprising move was Joseph Nane’s first appearance as a central defender since joining the club late in the 2021 season.
“We knew he could play there in the pre-season; we knew we could play in the back or in the midfield,” Delgado said. “I’m proud of him for stepping in and doing some work there. I thought he was solid back there, dealing with two very good forwards that came on in the second half.”
A Tough Defensive Struggle
Both clubs put in a stout defensive effort that limited the number of opportunities for their opposition. The first shot on goal didn’t come until the 24th minute, when Roots striker Anuar Peláez’s long range effort forced a diving save from Pittsburgh goalkeeper Luis Zamudio.
Pittsburgh’s best scoring chance in the first half came in the 32nd minute, when Kenardo Forbes’ header hit the side netting.
Oakland had a couple of chances early in the second half. In the 55th minute, a series of passes from Darek Formella to newcomer Jeciel Cedeño and Napo Matsoso set up Danny Barbir for a shot, but his strike from well outside the penalty area sailed over the crossbar.
Peláez had another shot in the 60th minute, but his header floated slowly in the air and landed in Zamudio’s arms.
But as the second half went on, Pittsburgh increased their pressure to try and get the winning goal.
The Riverhounds’ best chance came in the 67th minute, when a shot by Luke Biasi from just inside the penalty area forced goalkeeper Paul Blanchette to make a diving stop, with Tola Showunmi perched in front of goal ready to pounce on any rebound.
Showunmi had a chance of his own in the 88th minute when he backheeled the ball at close range, but Blanchette grabbed it before it could cause any harm.
“The first half we had a bit more possession,” Delgado said. “I think they pushed us back a bit in the second half and we tried to counter and gave away some balls where they just kept it in there. I think we were close on a couple of balls on the counters. If we’d been able to connect, it could have been really dangerous.”
Rito and Rising
The match marked Oakland’s first at home since fan favorite Edgardo Rito was traded to Hartford.
“I had a good relationship with Rito,” Delgado said. “We know what kind of player Rito is. He’s exciting, he’s dynamic. He’s done a lot for the club. He’ll be remembered here as a very, very good player. It was a move that just had to be made.”
And now the Roots begin preparing for their second and final 2023 regular season meeting with Phoenix Rising and former Roots coach Juan Guerra’s first visit to the East Bay since the leaving the club in mid-season last year.
“I’m fine with Juan, Juan is my friend,” Delgado said. “It adds a little bit more flavor to the game and it was a good game over there. Very, very hot, exciting to get some late goals. It’s going to be another tough one here next week.”
