USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots Set Juneteenth Celebration

Published on June 16, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Oakland Roots will play their first-ever match in the USL Championship against the Sacramento Republic on Saturday June 19th. As the first, Purpose-driven professional sports team in the United States, Roots will mark this historic occasion with a festival of celebration, education and inspiration centering Black artists, activists, students and athletes to commemorate 'Juneteenth'.

Since the 2021 USL Championship schedule was announced, Roots has been working closely with the league to try to align this historic moment in the history of the club with Freedom Day.

The gameday experience will include:

A pre-game celebration at Laney College hosted by the Oakland chapter of the NAACP

Prior to the players setting foot on the field, a Land Acknowledgement will be performed by a representative of the Confederated Villages of the Lisjan Ohlone

A block party on East 10th Street featuring Black-owned businesses and caterers and a pop-up mobile library from Oakland Public Library celebrating Black authors and readers

A live musical performance by award-winning Black artist and recognized social activist Goapele

A half-time address by Ahmed Muhammad, Oakland Tech's first Black valedictorian

Special guest appearance by NFL legend and Oakland Roots owner and recipient of the 2021 NAACP Black Male Achievement Award, Marshawn Lynch

1% of all ticket sales will support the Oakland Roots Justice Fund, which supports causes at the intersection of race and gender justiceFree COVID testing and vaccinations provided by Roots' sponsor Anthem and local health partners

Check out the Oakland Roots Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 16, 2021


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