Three weeks ago, the Oakland Roots started a three-game homestand at Cal State East Bay, hoping to secure nine points. However, after conceding a last-minute goal to San Antonio on Saturday evening, the Roots are leaving town with only two points in hand.
The two draws allowed Oakland to cling onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the USL Championship. However, a trio of teams are breathing down on the Roots as they try to hold onto their playoff position.
Saturday’s match started perfectly for the home side. Johnny Rodriguez flicked home a spectacular shot in the ninth minute past San Antonio’s goalkeeper for the early lead. With the home crowd still buzzing, Anuar Peláez pressured the ensuing kickoff, turned over San Antonio, and ran in on the keeper to double the lead in the tenth minute for Oakland.
Rodriguez almost put the game to bed in the 27th minute when an errant backpass from a San Antonio defender found the Root striker one-on-one with keeper Nick Marsman. Some excellent footwork allowed Marsman to block Rodriguez’s shot.
In the first five minutes after the break, Oakland had several more chances to score the insurance goal but was denied.
Finally, San Antonio broke through for their first goal in the 54th minute. Under pressure defender Danny Barbir attempted to clear a ball at the top of the box. It was blocked by San Antonio’s Santiago Patiño, who one-timed it into the back of the net past the onrushing Paul Blanchette.
Despite several more chances, the game went deep into extra time, with Oakland clinging to their lead. Finally, in the 95th minute, a long ball eventually found the head of Justin Dhillon, who passed it to Tani Oluwaseyi, who collected the ball and slotted it into the net for the game-tying goal.
With a tie, the Roots now have a six-game winless streak but thankfully still cling to their playoff spot with a game in hand compared to their competitors.
“We’ll have to look at the film and see what happened,” said Roots head coach Noah Delgado after the game. “But the first half was good; just disappointed to let two goals in at the end.”
Next are two road games against the Southern California competition: Orange County SC on Wednesday and San Diego Loyal on Saturday.
Then Oakland finish the season with a game at home against El Paso Locomotive.
