
Roots Extend Unbeaten Run to Three in New Mexico
August 19, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release
Roots began their two game road trip in Albuquerque, New Mexico to face off against New Mexico United for the first time in both club's histories. Roots went down early, conceding a goal in the sixth minute as New Mexico United dominated possession in the first half with six shots on target. However, in the 34th minute Roots found the back of the next off of yet another free kick goal from the captain Wal Fall, this time from 30 yards out.
The team settled in a bit more in the second half, continuing to exchange shots with New Mexico. Johnny Rodriguez made his USL Championship in the 55th minute after suffering an injury in preseason. From there Roots had to focus more on defense to maintain the draw and continue the unbeaten streak with three more games to be played in the next ten days.
Roots look to continue the unbeaten run on the road in Las Vegas this Saturday, 8/21.
Head Coach Jordan Ferrell:
Three game unbeaten run, what can you say about how things are coming together?
It's a decent result, but I think tonight we feel like we dropped two. It's not a good feeling, but it's a better feeling than we've had recently where we've been happy to get one point. I think it shows how this group is coming together. This is a difficult place to play with the elevation and this is a very good team that doesn't concede many goals. I think we want to keep building, the momentum we have right now is very important with where we're at this season.
How important was Paul Blanchette in the first 20 minutes of the game? He did a lot to keep it from getting out of hand early.
Paul has been really solid for us, he's just steady. He made a lot of really good decisions that helped the team and in those moments made some really big saves that helped us get out of that period and settle into the game. Once that happened, we didn't have to call on him as much.
Another goal from Wal Fall, what can you say about his performance on the field these past few games?
Yeah he's our captain, and obviously it's taken a while this season for us to get him there but the goals are one thing and you see the leadership on the field which makes a big difference for us. How he makes other players around him better, he's a big piece that's been missing for us. As he continues catching a rhythm he'll keep showing why he's so important for us.
Oakland Roots SC vs New Mexico United
USL Championship | August 18, 2021
Venue: Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kickoff: 6:30 PM PST
Weather: 78 degrees, cloudy
SCORELINE: 1 2 FT
OAK 1 0 1
NM 1 0 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
NM: Devon Sandoval 6'
OAK: Wal Fall 34'
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
NM: Amando Moreno 83'
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP:
Soya Takahashi, Wal Fall, Matias Fissore (Lindo Mfeka,79'), Jesus Enriquez (Yohannes Harish 70'), Akeem O'Connor-Ward, Jose Hernandez (Ariel Mbumba 70'), Paul Blanchette, Emrah Klimenta, Quincy Amarikwa (Max Ornstil 79'), Brandon Allen (Johnny Rodriguez 55'), Kai Greene
Unused Substitutes:
Memo Diaz, Taylor Bailey
Shots: 5 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corner Kicks: 3 | Fouls: 9 | Offside: 3 |
NEW MEXICO UNITED LINEUP:
Alex Tambakis, Austin Yearwood, Justin Shmidt, Rashid Tetteh, Josh Suggs (Harry Swartz 61'), Juan Pablo Guzman, Andrew Tinari (Chris Wehan 61'), David Najem (Isidro Martinez 78'), Amando Moreno, Sergio Rivas, Devon Sandoval (Llija Llic 65')
Unused Substitutes:
Will Palmquist, Micheal Azira, Daniel Bruce
Shots: 16 | Shots On Goal: 6 | Corner Kicks: 4 | Fouls: 15 | Offside: 4 |
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Elton Garcia
Assistant Referee 1: Ricardo Ocampo
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Seem
4th Official: Cuauhtemoc Delgadillo
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 19, 2021
- What to Watch Across the USL: Week 18 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Legion FC to Wear Special-Edition 'Children's Harbor' Jerseys Sunday Versus FC Tulsa - Birmingham Legion FC
- October 15th Kickoff Time Changed to 7 PM - Hartford Athletic
- Rowdies Reflections: The Value of a Point - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: Republic FC V Phoenix Rising FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Postponed Contest Between Red Bulls II, San Antonio Rescheduled - New York Red Bulls II
- Orange County Soccer Club Relieves Head Coach Braeden Cloutier of his Duties - Orange County SC
- San Antonio FC Adds Defender Kortne Ford on Loan from Colorado Rapids - San Antonio FC
- Roots Announce Marqeta as Official FinTech Partner - Oakland Roots
- San Antonio FC Match Update - San Antonio FC
- Charlotte Independence Sign French Midfielder, Gabriel Obertan - Charlotte Independence
- New Mexico United Draws with Oakland Roots - New Mexico United
- New Mexico United Signs Rookie Goalkeeper Will Palmquist - New Mexico United
- Flurry of Second Half Goals Leads SD Loyal to 5-1 Win against Las Vegas Lights - San Diego Loyal
- Tacoma Defiance Defeats Orange County SC 3-0, Gains Three Road Points - Tacoma Defiance
- Roots Extend Unbeaten Run to Three in New Mexico - Oakland Roots
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 Announces Mandela Partners as the Official Local Produce Partner
- Takeaways from Roots 0-3 Loss vs New Mexico United
- Roots Concede Two Goals Early, Fall 0-3 at Home to New Mexico United
- Roots Return Home for Clash with Conference Leaders New Mexico United
- Oakland Roots and Soul SC Announces Partnership with Oakland Zoo

