Despite the Oakland Roots controlling the first fifty-five minutes against their NorCal rivals Monterey Bay, a trio of defensive mistakes was too much to overcome, allowing Monterey to win 3-2 at Cardinale Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roots were the brighter side throughout the first half and were rewarded with a nicely finished header by Camden Riley on a set piece assisted by José Sinisterra just before the break.
Oakland continued to play well until the first defensive mistake in the 56th minute allowed Monterey’s Mayele Malango to score.
Out wide left, Roots wide back Riley slipped defending, allowing Malango plenty of time to pick out the far post and curl a nice shot past Oakland goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.
Six minutes later, Oakland centerback Neveal Hackshaw attempted to clear a ball in the box, but his kick missed the ball and went into the foot of Monterey’s Xavi Gnaulati, conceding a penalty kick that Ilijah Paul converted.
In the 69th minute, a clearance up the left line by Roots defender Adbi Mohamed was cleanly intercepted by Monterey’s Grant Robinson. He pushed the ball up the sideline and crossed a beautiful strike to teammate Anton Søjberg, who headed the ball past and outstretched McIntosh for a 3-1 lead.
The Roots responded two minutes later, pulling back within a goal when José Sinisterra ran onto a loose ball in the box.
However, Oakland could not equalize even when Monterey’s Joel Garcia Jr. was shown his second yellow card in the 84th minute.
The Roots now return to Oakland to play their first home game ever at the Oakland Coliseum next Saturday, March 22nd, at 7 pm.
