Monterey Bay FC made the most of a handful of chances to end the Oakland Roots’ three-game winning streak with a 2-1 win at Cardinale Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The highlight of the match for Oakland was Johnny Rodriguez’s goal in the 65th minute. Neveal Hackshaw sent in a long ball from near midfield and Rodriguez contorted his body as he was falling to the turf to redirect the ball into the net.
A Promising Start
The Roots came out firing against their regional rival. Johnny Rodriguez began testing Monterey goalkeeper Antony Siaha early, forcing him to make a stop at the near post on a shot in the 10th minute.
Lindo Mfeka put the ball in the net with a clinical finish in the 19th minute, but he was judged to be offside.
Trayvone Reid made a run down the left side in the 26th minute, but he nearly lost his balance when colliding with Monterey’s Kai Greene and was only able to get off a weak shot attempt.
The Momentum Shifts
And then the host side took the lead in the 30th minute, against the run of play. Walmer Martínez played a give and go along the left sideline with former Roots player Chuy Enriquez, then sent in a cross that Tristan Trager headed home for his 9th goal of the season.
Enriquez was also involved in Monterey’s second goal, three minutes into the second half. He sent in a long ball from just over midfield as Alex Dixon made his run into the right side of the penalty area. Dixon didn’t hesitate, with a low missile that settled inside the far post.
Monterey didn’t have many more chances after that, but one them came from Enriquez in the 57th minute, maneuvering around three Oakland defenders at the top of the penalty area before taking a shot that went right into Blanchette’s hands.
The only consolation was that Oakland still had more than 30 minutes to search for goals. They missed out on a good opportunity in the 60th minute, when Bryan Tamacas found Baboucarr Njie unmarked in the box, but Njie blasted his shot over the crossbar.
The Host Side Holds On
Rodriguez’s goal gave Oakland new life. Monterey’s lead looked shaky and it seemed as if Oakland might be on the verge of finding an equalizer.
Rodriguez had another chance in the 71st minute on a long ball from the Roots’ half by Daniel Gómez. Rodriguez’s one-timer beat Siaha but trickled wide of the goal.
He had a similar chance in the 78th minute, but this time his shot went over the crossbar.
One of the Monterey’s few chances late in the match was set up by Enriquez in the 80th minute. He slipped the ball over to an overlapping Jerry Ayon, but Blanchette came out far enough to deflect the shot away.
The match got chippy in the end, with Oakland’s Irakoze Donasiyano receiving his second yellow card in the 84th minute and Rafael Baca receiving his second for hand ball in the 6th minute of stoppage time.
The Roots brought Blanchette forward on a pair of free kicks just before the final whistle, but Oakland couldn’t find the equalizer.
Next Week
The Roots return to action next Saturday at Orange County SC. They return home on July 6 to host league leaders Louisville City FC.
