The Oakland Roots defeated El Paso Locomotive on the road, thanks to two goals from Johnny Rodriguez, the club’s longest-tenured player.
Both Oakland and El Paso came into the game desperate for a victory. The Locomotive had only one tie in their first five games, while the Roots were on a three-game losing streak.
Oakland had to overcome goal deficits twice during the game to earn the full three points.
El Paso took the lead thirteen minutes into the game on a corner kick. The ball fell in the eight-yard box and to the feet of the Locomotives’ Amando Moreno, whose shot through a crowd found its way into the net.
Oakland tied the game up on a beautiful set piece in the 31st minute. Niall Louge touched on an inswinging cross from Roots defender Memo Diaz across the face of the goal and inside the back post.
Unfortunately for the Roots, Irakoze Donasiyano fouled El Paso’s Justin Dhillon in the box just before halftime. Dhillon then stepped up to the spot and blasted his penalty for a 2-1 lead heading into the half.
Just when it looked possible that Oakland would suffer its fourth defeat in a row, Johnny Rodriguez ensured that the Roots would end up on top.
Rodriguez collected the ball midfield three minutes into the second half and turned around. He dribbled closer into goal unmarked and unleashed a rocket of a shot that El Paso keeper Jahmali Waite had no chance to stop.
It took only a few more minutes for Oakland to take the lead. Memo Diaz headed a long ball towards the corner of the penalty box and into Rodriguez’s path. El Paso’s keeper tried to get to the ball first but only succeeded in taking down Rodriguez for a penalty, which he enthusiastically finished.
The Roots were able to kill off the remainder of the game. After the final whistle, they celebrated their second victory, which was their first since their inaugural match this season. It also moved Oakland back up the table and into eighth place.
With the win, Oakland returns to Pioneer Stadium full of confidence ahead of their US Open Cup clash with cup darlings El Faroltio on Tuesday evening.
