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USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots Welcome NorCal Rivals Sacramento Republic to the East Bay

September 1, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Oakland Roots SC will look to rebound from last weekend's heartbreaking loss when they host NorCal nemeses Sacramento Republic FC at Cal State University, East Bay on Saturday.

Oakland enter the derby after a dramatic defeat in Kentucky on Saturday against two-time champions Louisville City FC. Roots Johnny Rodriguez marked his return to the lineup with the opening goal of the game in first-half stoppage time when he headed Memo Diaz's inch-perfect cross into the side netting. LouCity would equalize through Brian Ownby in the 71st minute, though, which set up a grandstand finish to the match. Deep into stoppage time, Roots striker Anuar Peláez took aim from distance, and his shot seemed destined to find the top right corner of Oliver Semmle's goal. The German keeper, however, made a spectacular save to deny the Colombian of what would've been his 6th goal of the season, and almost certainly the game-winner. Just moments later, Louisville's Oscar Jimenez got on the end of a recycled free-kick and poked the ball past Paul Blanchette, snatching the game away from Oakland at the death.

Now, Roots must put that agonizing finale behind them and focus on Saturday's crucial encounter with archrivals Sacramento Republic FC. Republic currently sit 1st place in the Western Conference, while the Roots sit 4th, level on points with San Diego Loyal SC. The Loyal, however, have a game in hand over Oakland, so Noah Delgado's team will need to pick up points in order to keep them at bay. Head Coach Mark Briggs is in his 5th year with Sacramento and led the team to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final last season. Although they lost that match against MLS side Orlando City, they became the first non-MLS team to reach that stage of the competition since Charleston Battery in 2008 and defeated 3 historic MLS clubs along the way.

Sacramento are presently enjoying another very successful season, including their 3-1 victory over Oakland Roots in California's Capitol back in May. They also lead the all-time series between the two clubs with 3 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss, although they have never tasted victory against Roots outside of Heart Health Park in Sacramento. Oakland will hope that trend continues on Saturday night at Pioneer Stadium in what is the biggest game of Roots SC's season thus far.

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