
Oakland Moves On, to Round Two of the USL Championship Playoffs
October 23, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release
For the second time in as many years, Oakland Roots played spoiler in the first round of the USL Championship playoffs, upsetting the second-seeded San Diego Loyal by a score of 3 to 0.
The home side threatened early, but Paul Blanchette was up for the challenge, smartly saving a dangerously whipped free kick just outside of the 18-yard box. Despite the pressure from Loyal, it was Oakland who struck first. Charlie Dennis opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a half-volleyed laser into the top corner, sending the Roots bench into raptures. Oakland went into the half one goal to the good, setting the stage for a memorable night in Southern California.
Roots would pick up where they left off in the 52nd minute. Lindo Mfeka capitalized on a loose Loyal back pass, squeezing the ball over goalkeeper Koke Vegas and tapping in to give Roots a two-goal advantage, just six minutes after the break. Loyal went down to 9 men in the 75th minute, as both Thomas Amang and Alejandro Guido were handed their marching orders after a confrontation. The double-sending off ended any fleeting hope for a Loyal comeback, and a calmly slotted Fissore finish in the 91st minute put the icing on the cake.
Oakland Roots now head to San Antonio Friday night to take on the number one overall seed San Antonio FC, on October 28th at 5:30 PM PT.
Speaking to Head Coach Noah Delgado
That was one of the biggest wins, if not the biggest win, in club history. Describe the energy coming out of the locker room.
We're enjoying it. Tough game here, tough game on the road. San Diego is a very talented team, and the boys are excited. We had a lot of semi-finals before this, where we had to win, had to get results, and tonight was the real thing, so we're just enjoying the moment right now.
To battle back with this team through all the adversity this season, what does that say about this team in there?
These guys come in to work every day. Trainings are super intense, we're getting at each other, and we are all fighting for one goal: to win the next game.
Oakland Roots SC vs San Diego Loyal
USL Championship | October 23, 2022
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego, California
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT
Weather: 64 degrees, clear
SCORELINE:
SD: 0
OAK: 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
OAK: 36' Charlie Dennis
OAK: 52' Lindo Mfeka
OAK: 90' Matías Fissore
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
SD: 6' Alejandro Guido (yellow card)
OAK: 18' Joseph Nane (yellow card)
SD: 26' Collin Martin (yellow card)
SD: 76' Thomas Amang (yellow card)
OAK: 76' José Hernández (yellow card)
SD: 76' Thomas Amang (2nd yellow card)
SD: 77' Alejandro Guido (2nd yellow card)
OAK: 77 ¬Â² Danny Barbir (yellow card)
SD: 84' Grant Stoneman (yellow card)
OAK: 86' Matías Fissore (yellow card)
OAK: 87' Emrah Klimenta (yellow card)
SD: 88' Grant Stoneman (2nd yellow card)
OAK: 89' Juan Azócar (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Danny Barbir, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Emrah Klimenta) , Tarek Morad, Joseph Nane (Matías Fissore), José Hernández (Johnny Rodriguez), Edgardo Rito, Juan Azócar, Lindo Mfeka (Memo Diaz), Charlie Dennis, Óttar Magnús Karlsson
Unused subs: Jesús Enríquez, Taylor Bailey, Mikael Johnsen
Shots: 9 | Shots On Goal: 6 | Corner Kicks: 0 | Fouls: 17| Offside: 2 |
SANN DIEGO LOYAL LINEUP: Koke Vegas, Kyle Adams, Grant Stoneman, Ebenezer Ackon (Kyle Vassel), Elijah Martin, Charlie Adams, Collin Martin, Alejandro Guido, Tumi Moshobane, Evan Conway, Thomas Amang
Unused subs: Duran Michael Ferree, Jack Metcalf, Camden Riley, Jackson Kasanzu, Andrew Carleton, Morgan Hackworth
Shots: 15 | Shots On Goal: 5 | Corner Kicks: 5 | Fouls: 13 | Offside: 1 |
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 23, 2022
- SD Loyal Falls 3-0 to Oakland Roots in Western Conference Quarterfinals - San Diego Loyal
- Oakland Moves On, to Round Two of the USL Championship Playoffs - Oakland Roots
- 2022 USL Championship Playoffs Presented by Hisense: Conference Semifinals Schedule - USL
- San Antonio FC to Host Oakland Roots SC in Western Conference Semifinal - San Antonio FC
- Legion FC Falls to Pittsburgh on Penalties After 2-2 Draw in a Heart-Breaking, Rollercoaster Home Playoff Match - Birmingham Legion FC
- Hounds Advance in Epic 10-Kick Shootout - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Riverhounds Advance in Playoffs After Epic 10-Kick Shootout - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LouCity to Host Pittsburgh Riverhounds in Playoff Opener - Louisville City FC
- Oakland Roots Begin Playoff Quest with Away Trip to San Diego Loyal - Oakland Roots
- Playoff Blues: Le Rouge Fall in 2022 Playoffs at Memphis - Detroit City FC
- Republic FC Blanks New Mexico United - Sacramento Republic FC
- RGV FC Fall in Western Conference Quarterfinal - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Switchbacks FC Win 3-0 Against RGV, Advance to Western Conference Semifinals - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Oakland Roots Stories
- Oakland Roots and Soul SC Announce Renewal of Brand Partnership with PG&E
- Takeaways from Roots 1-2 USL Jägermeister Cup Loss to Spokane Velocity FC
- Roots Fall 1-2 to Spokane Velocity in Group Stage Fixture of USL Jägermeister Cup
- Roots Head to Washington for USL Jägermeister Cup Debut at Spokane Velocity
- What We Learned in Roots' 2-0 Home Victory Versus Orange County SC

