The Oakland Roots made team history on Saturday, June 15, when they defeated the Sacramento Republic 3-2 at Heart Health Park in Sacramento. After facing the Republic more than any other team, this was the first time Oakland beat them on their turf in Sacramento.
The Roots got on the board first when Camden Riley played a cross into Johnny Rodriguez, who laid it off to Lindo Mfeka for a calm finish in the 20th minute to put Oakland up 1-0.
Oakland earned a penalty in the 27th minute of the game through Trayvonne Reid. Johnny Rodriguez stepped up for Oakland, but his effort was tame and an easy save for Danny Vitiello of Sacramento.
After some big chances and a couple of penalty shots for Sacramento, Oakland was able to maintain the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Lindo Mfeka got the second half off to a fast start as he ripped a shot past Vitiello to give Oakland a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute.
The Roots got a third goal when substitute Baboucarr Njie reached the end line and crossed to Jeciel Cedeño, who scored low to give the Roots a 3-0 lead in the 67th minute of play.
Sacramento made multiple changes around the 70th minute as they tried to recover from a 3-0 deficit. They pulled one back through Trevor Amann in the 79th minute of play, putting the score at 3-1. Then, at stoppage time, Sacramento got a second through Trevor Amann, putting the score at 3-2.
In the end, however, Oakland held on for their first-ever away win in Sacramento, securing a 3-2 victory.
The Roots return home to face El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday, June 19, at Cal State East Bay Pioneer Stadium in Hayward at 7 p.m.
Summary
Scoring:
- OAK: Lindo Mfeka 20’
- OAK: Lindo Mfeka 47’
- OAK: Jeciel Cedeño 67’
- SAC: Trevor Amann 70’
- SAC: Trevor Amann 90+’
Discipline:
- OAK: Gagi Margvelashvili (yellow card) 31’
- OAK: Tim Syrel (yellow card) 33’
- OAK: Memo Diaz (yellow card) 36’
- OAK: Trayvone Reid (yellow card) 62’
- OAK: Justin Rasmussen (yellow card) 71’
- SAC: Justin Portillo (yellow card) 75’
- SAC: Jared Mazzola (yellow card) 75’
- SAC: Conor Donovan (yellow card) 90+’
- OAK: Dom Dwyer (yellow card) 90+’
Oakland Roots SC
Lineup: Tim Syrel, Neveal Hackshaw, Gagi Margvelashvili (Niall Logue), Camden Riley, Memo Diaz, Justin Rasmussen (Bryan Tamacas), Daniel Gomez, Lindo Mfeka (Dom Dwyer), Jeciel Cedeño, Johnny Rodriguez, Trayvone Reid (Baboucarr Njie)
Unused subs: Paul Blanchette, Kieran Bracken Serra, Miche-Naider Chery
Line: Shots: 13 | Shots on Goal: 3 | Corner Kicks: 5 | Fouls: 22 | Offside: 3
Sacramento Republic FC
Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Conor Donovan, Damia Viader (Aldair Sanchez), Jonathan Ricketts (Rafael Jauregui), Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Justin Portillo, Kieran Phillips (Trevor Amann), Sebastian Herrera (Cristian Parano)
Unused subs: Jared Mazzola, Shane Wiedt
Line: Shots: 19 | Shots on Goal: 2 | Corner Kicks: 7 | Fouls: 13 | Offside: 1
