Second half substitute Ilya Alekseev scored the game winner as the Oakland Roots extended their latest winning streak to three games with a 2-1 win over El Paso Locomotive FC at Pioneer Stadium in Hayward on Wednesday night.
With his second goal of the season, Alekseev continued his knack for scoring particularly important goals. He previously scored the game tying goal in the second match of the season, enabling Oakland to earn a 1-1 draw vs. Charleston Battery.
While El Paso is currently in last place in the Western Conference, they posed a significant challenge. Oakland’s previous victories over the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Sacramento Republic were played at a quick tempo, but the visitors frustrated the Roots by focusing on maintaining possession and ultimately slowing the game down, as coach Wilmer Cabrera had done while coaching the RGV Toros.
Another factor was the need to rotate the squad because Oakland is currently in the middle of playing three matches in eight days. On Wednesday, Oakland’s starting lineup only included one starter from the match in Sacramento, Justin Rasmussen, .
Oakland Falls Behind Quickly
Disaster came in the fifth minute, when Oakland defender Niall Logue tried to clear the ball from the penalty area. His clearance bounced off of El Paso’s Miles Lyons and into the path of Justin Dhillon for the easy finish.
After the game, Interim Head Coach Gavin Glinton said the unexpected early goal didn’t really change anything in his game plan.
“I thought it was obviously a bit of an odd goal to give up, you know, tough to go down, but I thought we did a good job again regrouping, being able to get our composure, sticking to the game plan and eventually we’ll wear them down,” Glinton said. “So yeah, it’s to our credit that we didn’t get wigged out. We didn’t fall apart.”
Oakland had shots on goal from Miche-Naider Chéry in the 10th minute and Etsgar Cruz in the 29th minute, but neither were particularly challenging for goalkeeper Ramon Pasquel.
But all that changed in the 44th minute, when Chéry headed the ball to Logue unmarked in the box. His one-timer was on target, but Pasquel was able to redirect it over the bar.
And on the subsequent corner kick, El Paso’s Noah Dollenmayer tried to clear the ball, but Napa Matsoso stepped up into the open space for a one-timer that beat Pasquel at the far post to pull Oakland even at halftime.
“We knew at times that we would have to suffer,” Rasmussen said after the match. “We knew that they would have the ball, you know, they would keep it and swing it around a little slowly around the back like they do. But going down early isn’t easy. It’s never easy but I think [the Roots’ comeback is] a testament to what we’ve got building here in this organization.”
Roots’ Momentum Carries Over Into the Second Half
In the 49th minute, Chéry split a pair of El Paso defenders, but Pasquel came out from his goal to make a diving stop.
Oakland’s Paul Blanchette made a key save in the 55th minute, coming out to the edge of the six-yard box to make a kick save on a shot by Dhillon.
Alekseev’s game winner came in the 72nd minute. Rasmussen made a run down the left side and sent in a cross that bounced off of the turf, just out of Pasquel’s reach, and Alekseev was there at the far post for the finish.
“Ilya’s a grinder, he’s in there all the time, he’s got a great attitude and like you said, it’s not easy to play and then be off the field for a while and then just get thrown back in and for him to step in,” Rasmussen said. “And, you know, it was great for me, kind of finding wingback to wingback on the goal, seeing him get the glory for us tonight. It’s a great moment for him and I’m happy he can enjoy that as well.”
El Paso’s final chance came in the 81st minute, when Eric Calvillo’s shot from outside the penalty area sailed wide.
“I couldn’t be happier with the club, with the players, with where we’re going,” Glinton said. “We know there’s going to be ups and downs. It’s going to be a long season. That’s just the nature of the game. But, you know, the focus and the commitment that the guys are showing right now, I hope the fans see it. Just gotta keep pushing.”
“Winning’s always great, right?,” Rasmussen said. “It always lifts the mood. Takes the stress away. And I think it’s good to have a game like this, you know, where we kind of get hit early and it kind of checks us. We’ve been going on a good run of form, but we’re all learning each other.”
