The Oakland Roots celebrated their final visit to the eastern seaboard this season with a 1-0 win over Charleston Battery on Friday night.
Oakland earned three points against the second place club in the Eastern Conference, which also moves them into a tie for second place in the Western Conference.
The lone goal was scored in the 41st minute, an unlucky own goal by Charleston’s Derek Dodson. Memo Diaz sent in a cross to the right side as Danny Barbir started his run. Barbir’s header grazed the top of Dodson’s head and settled in the lower left corner of the net.
The goal came just 40 seconds after the Roots forced Charleston goalkeeper Trey Muse to make his first save of the evening, on a shot from distance by Neveal Hackshaw that was heading toward the far post.
Oakland Has the Edge in the First Half
Johnny Rodriguez had the Roots’ first good chance in the 14th minute. Charleston’s Juan Palma headed the ball out from the six-yard box, after a long throw-in by Hackshaw. The ball came out to Danny Gomez, who volleyed it back in, but Rodriguez’s bicycle kick dinged off the top of the crossbar.
Blanchette’s toughest save in the half came in the 30th minute. Augie Williams made a long run toward the center of the pitch and blasted a shot from just beyond the penalty arc. Blanchette went to ground to make the save, then pounced on the ball to ensure there would be no rebound.
Trayvone Reid had a decent chance in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time. Hackshaw stole a Charleston pass and fed it Reid as he headed up the sideline. Reid cut the ball back to his right foot and blasted a shot as he fell to the turf that went straight into Muse’s arms.
Decent Chances for Charleston in the Second Half
Charleston’s best chance came in the 48th minute. Markanich’s shot from the right side went by Blanchette, but Emrah Klimentah trapped the ball with his foot and cleared it off the line.
The Roots had another decent chance in the 58th minute. A through ball from Reid found Rodriguez open on the wing. Rodriguez attempted a toe poke, but the ball deflected off of Muse’s midsection and a pair of defenders shielded him as he went out to grab the rebound.
Charleston had another chance in the 64th minute. Tristan Trager’s cross found Markanich unmarked in the box. Markanich trapped the ball with his left foot instead of trying the one timer, and his low shot skidded wide of the mark.
Blanchette’s best save was a reaction save in the 79th minute. Emilio Ycaza’s corner kick found Sebastián Palma unmarked at the far post. Palma’s diving header hit Blanchette in the chest and eventually Oakland defenders were able to clear the ball away.
Markanich had another chance in the 84th minute, but his short header hit the side netting, Robbie Crawford set up the goalscoring situation with a cross into the box.
Oakland survived 16 minutes of stoppage time to end the match. The most dangerous moment came in the 98th minute. Crawford set up another chance on a corner kick in stoppage time, but Andrew Booth’s header went wide.
Summer Vacation
The Roots get more than two weeks off as they await their next match on August 19, when they host the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
