Despite outshooting and out-possessing Orange County, a few defensive miscues and questionable refereeing decisions doomed the Oakland Roots to a 3-0 loss in Livermore.
It was tough, I thought we had chances. We had chances,” lamented Roots head coach Jordan Ferrell after the game. “That’s the toughest part. I’m not one to complain about referees but I think there were some questionable decisions across the board.”
After having several players unavailable due to COVID-19, Oakland was almost at full strength for the first time in a month.
The Roots came out strong in front of their fans who traveled to their home away from home at Las Positas College.
In the sixth minute, Tarin Wair found himself open at the top of the box but his shot to the far post went just wide. Several minutes later, a Memo Diaz cross appeared to be perfectly weighted to forward Brandon Allen in front of goal, but the gusty winds present throughout the game carried it past him.
Then in the 28th minute, Roots midfielder José Hernández steamed down the middle of the field and fired a shot toward the lower-left corner tipped out of bounds by OC keeper Patrick Rakovsky.
At the half-hour mark, the visitors struck first thanks to a soft foul called on Roots defender Soya Takahashi. OC’s Mikko Kuningas whipped his free-kick into the box, and it was touched on by teammate Kobi Henry past Roots keeper Paul Blanchette for the lead.
The visitors doubled their advantage five minutes later when Roots center back Kai Greene fell to the ground challenging a ball out wide. OC midfielder Brian Iloski possessed the loose ball and passed it forward to San Jose Earthquakes loanee Eric Calvillo. His low cross in front of goal was tapped in by forward Ronaldo Damus for a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
After halftime, Oakland once again found their attacking form and looked threatening until referee Jonathan Bilinski made a controversial call that changed the course of the match.
The call occurred on a Roots corner kick. Hernandez fired the ball into the box and the Roots Max Ornstil and OC’s Iloski collided going for the ball. Iloski, who was knocked down to the ground, jumped up and proceeded to elbow Ornstil. The Roots midfielder responded with an elbow back as both players started yelling at close range.
Referee Belinski called the play dead, and after consulting with the line referee, awarded a red card to Ornstil. At the same time, Iloski, who instigated the pushing, walked away with only a yellow card.
“Those kinds of decisions build up and frustrate the players but we gotta keep our heads,” said Ferrell. “Big credit to them because even down two and down a man we were creating some good chances.”
Oakland continued to press and was almost rewarded the 61st minute. Newly promoted Project 51O forward Joseph Restani had a nice pass across the box that teammate Tarin Weir almost flicked in at the far post.
Ferrell substituted in Jonathan Bokila, Yohannes Harish, and Wal Fall to continue the attack. However, a nice buildup of possession by Orange County put the game to bed in the 76th minute when Aidan Apodaca scored from close range.
With the fans chanting “Let’s go Oakland,” the Roots continuing their attack. Oakland’s Saalih Muhammad had a header go wide in the 85th minute. A minute later, a Takahashi cross found an open Bokila in the box who’s headed a ball that appeared destined for the corner of the goal until OC keeper Rakovsky pushed it away.
But the Roots were unable to score and minutes later the final whistle blew and Oakland’s winless streak extended to nine games, including three losses in a row.
After the game, Ferrell pointed out the positives. “We’re still getting guys back fully fit which is positive and I think being able to produce the chances that we did and the performance we had, under those circumstances, was a big positive.”
Another positive the Roots can look forward to finally returning to their Laney College, and play their first home game of the season in Oakland against Pacific Division leaders Phoenix Rising.
“For a lot of the guys they don’t even know what the energy of Laney is like, so I think that is going to be very unique,” said Ferrell. “Phoenix is a tough opponent for sure but I think the group will be ready.”
