Oakland Roots SC

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Oakland Roots
Oakland Roots SC logo.svg
Full nameOakland Roots Sports Club
Founded2018
StadiumLaney College Football Stadium
Capacity5,500
ChairmanSteven Aldrich
Head coachJuan Guerra
LeagueUSL Championship
20214th, Pacific Division
10th, Western Conference
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Oakland Roots Sports Club is an American professional soccer team based in Oakland, California. The club was formed in 2018 by a group of Oakland natives and began play in the National Independent Soccer Association in the fall of 2019. In 2021, the club joined the second division USL Championship.[1]

History[]

The club was formed in July 2018 when it was announced the club would be known as Oakland Roots Sports Club.[2] The club originally was slated to play in the NPSL Founders Cup, but the club ultimately withdrew and instead joined the National Independent Soccer Association a division 3 sanctioned United States Soccer Federation Professional League.[3][4]

Oakland Roots began by signing 3 Oakland raised players in the Spring of 2019 in Devante Dubose, Julio Cervantes and Yohannes Harish.[5][6] This was followed by the signing of a few higher profile players as the club built out its inaugural rosters. Those players included former MLS and Liga MX player Benji Joya, former Honduran World Cup veteran Victor Bernardez and former 1st round MLS Draft Pick Jack McInerney.[7][8][9]

The club announced its first head coach on May 9, 2019, when they signed Bay Area native, former MLS Player and Colorado Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo.[10]

National Independent Soccer Association[]

The club opened up the inaugural 2019–20 NISA season as the league's first game, at home in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 4,500. Jack McInerney would score a first half perfect hat trick in a match that would eventually end up in a 3–3 draw.[11]

Oakland Roots played 8 games in their inaugural season 6 in NISA and 2 friendlies vs Mexican opposition, FC Juarez and Club Atlético Zacatepec. The club picked up their first win at home vs Ascenso MX Club, Atlético Zacatepec by a score of 2–0.[12]

Oakland Roots sold out all 4 home games of the 2019 fall season averaging 4,927 fans including a record 5,723 in their final home game of 2019 a 1–1 draw vs Los Angeles Force.[13]

On October 31, 2019, Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo mutually agreed to part ways.[14] On December 3, 2019, Oakland Roots announced Jordan Ferrell as the club's new head coach.[15]

The Roots opened their second season at home once again in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,603. The match against Chattanooga FC would end in a 1–1 draw when Jack McInerney scored in the 93rd minute of the match after the Roots were forced to play down a man from a first-half Red Card.[16] The Roots followed this up by winning their first-ever NISA League match the following weekend vs Michigan Stars FC 2–1.[17]

On April 27, 2020, following a stoppage of play and subsequent extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season.[18][19]

In the abridged 2020 Fall regular season, Oakland finished first in the three team Western Conference with Matthew Fondy leading the team with two goals.[20][21] The Roots finished atop its group in the NISA Fall Championship, and beat Chattanooga FC in the national semifinal, before falling to Detroit City FC, 2–1, in the final.[22][23]

USL Championship[]

On September 15, 2020, the team announced they would be moving from the third-division NISA to the second-division USL Championship.[24]

Initially in 2017, the USL approved a bid from real estate developer Mark Hall to bring a soccer team to Concord, California instead of Oakland.[25][26] The team, called USL East Bay, planned to play in a 15,000+ seat soccer-specific stadium complex before the development idea was scrapped in May 2020.[27][28] The team's territorial rights were later sold to the Roots.

In November 2020, Oakland Roots announced the signing of Oakland born, Richmond, California raised midfielder Saalih Muhammad via a transfer from New Mexico United as the clubs first USL Championship player.[29] This was followed by the early December signings of Oakland raised Max Ornstil and re-signings of Yohannes Harish and Tarn Weir, as well as many others.[30]

In April 2021, Marshawn Lynch joined the Roots ownership group.[31]

Oakland Roots picked up their first USL Championship win on May 23rd away at LA Galaxy II when striker Jeremy Bokila scored in stoppage time to give Oakland the 3-2 win. [32] The team was set to kick off the USL Championship home season on June 19th against Sacramento Republic FC but the match was called off due to field issues. [33] This was then followed by multiple games being called off due to USL health and safety protocols during the Covid Pandemic. [34]

The team went on to play multiple games at Las Positas College college before finishing the season back home at Laney. Oakland Roots had just one win through their first 13 games, leaving the team with less than 1% chance to make the playoffs according to fivethirtyeight and dead last in the USL power ranking. [35]

The team began a massive turnaround with a 2-1 win at Merritt College on the backlash of goals from two Oakland-born and raised players Max Ornstil and Yohannes Harish. From there Oakland went on to pick up 34 points in 19 games, earning the final Pacific Division playoff spot on the final day of the season following a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City II. [36]

Oakland upset the Mountain Division Champions El Paso Locomotive in the first round of the playoffs, breaking a 470-day home unbeaten run by the Texas side. The Roots’ playoff run came to an end the following weekend when the team lost 6-5 on penalties against Orange County SC after 120 minutes of scoreless action. [37]

On December 21, 2021, the Roots announced they were leasing the former Oakland Raiders practice facility in Alameda, California as their training facility.[38]

On December 30, 2021, the Roots announced Juan Guerra as the club's fourth Head Coach. [39]

Year-by-year[]

Season League Div. Pos. P W D L GS GA Pts. Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Name League
2019–20 NISA Fall, West Coast[a] 4th 6 0 3 3 10 13 3 Did not qualify Cancelled United States Jack McInerney 8 United States Paul Bravo
Spring[b] 1st 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 Cancelled United States Jordan Ferrell
2020–21 Fall, Western[c] 1st 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Runner-up United States Matthew Fondy 2
2021 USL Championship Pacific Division 4th 32 11 8 13 36 41 41 Conf. Semi-Finals Democratic Republic of the Congo Jeremy Bokila 5
USL Championship Western Conference
  1. ^ The Fall 2019 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, East Coast and West Coast
  2. ^ Spring season cancelled before completion
  3. ^ The Fall 2020 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, Eastern and Western

Stadium[]

Roots home matches are played at Laney College Football Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium located near Lake Merritt. For Roots games the pitch is widened using a modular turf system. The Stadium has room for 3,500 seated and up to 5,500+ with standing room.[40]

Average attendance[]

Year Reg. Season
2019 Fall 4,927
2020 Spring 5,193
2020 Fall N/A
2021 4,344*
  • For games at Laney and Merritt only

Club culture[]

The Oakland Roots have been featured in pop culture in their history. Oakland Roots merchandise has been featured in two G-Eazy videos “West Coast” and "Bang".[41][42] The Roots Origins shirt then appeared in Zion I "Flame Go" Video a few months later.[43] As well Oakland born and raised Basketball player Damian Lillard wore Oakland Roots merchandise before an NBA game in the 2019 playoffs.[44] Roots merchandise additionally was featured in FourFourTwo magazine in the April and August additions of 2019.[45] The club was also treated to a performance by Oakland Hip Hop artist Mistah F.A.B before their final home game of 2019.[46] Oakland Roots were featured on Men in Blazers on November 25, 2019, when Roger Bennett wore the Roots Jersey on the show.[47] Then that night Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors wore a Roots t-shirt on the bench during a regular season NBA game.[48] Roots merchandise featured in Kehlani's video "All me" on February 13, 2020.[49] Underground rappers Murs and The Grouch performed prior to the team's March 7, 2020 match against Michigan Stars FC.[50]

The club works closely with the Oakland Community and points to this as the reason they exist.[51]

The club's two mottos are “Oakland First, Always” and “Know Your Roots."

Purpose Partners[]

The Club list four Purpose Partners; Soccer Without Borders Oakland, Street Soccer USA in Oakland, My Yute Soccer Camps, and Chapter 510, a made in Oakland writing center.

Common Goal[]

Oakland Roots Sports Club joined the Common Goal movement on June 30, 2020, as the first soccer club in the United States to do so.[52] The team pledged to donate one percent of the team's payroll and one percent of all future ticket revenue to help address social inequality.

Roots Justice Fund[]

The Oakland Roots Justice Fund is a charitable fund created by Oakland Roots Sports Club to support racial and gender justice. The Fund will support new and existing initiatives by the Roots and community partners in service of the Purpose of Oakland Roots – to harness the magic of Oakland the beautiful game of soccer as a tool for social good. The Fund was established thanks to donations by the Roots investor group.[53]

Supporters[]

Oakland Roots has four supporters groups; Roots Radicals, La Brigada Del Pueblo, Oakland 68s, and Homegrown Hooligans. "The Function" is a coalition of fans from La Brigada, the 68s, and Homegrown Hooligans. "The Function" is in reference to E-40's "Function," while “Roots Radicals” is an ode to the East Bay Punk Rock band Rancid.[54]

Project 51O[]

Oakland Roots reserve team, Project 51O, was launched on December 9, 2019.[55] Originally set to compete in the National Premier Soccer League for the 2020 season, the team only played one match, a win over Napa Valley 1839 FC, before the season was halted and eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.[56][57]

On September 17, 2020, the team announced it would compete in USL League Two beginning with the 2021 season.[58] They eventually would forgo the season and start play in 2022.

Sponsorship[]

Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2019–2020 Nike Oaklandish
2021–present Puma Anthem

Players and staff[]

Current roster[]

As of January 28, 2022[59]
No. Pos. Player Nation
2 MF Ariel Mbumba  DR Congo
4 DF Max Ornstil  United States
6 DF Tarek Morad  United States
7 MF Matías Fissore  Argentina
10 MF Lindo Mfeka  South Africa
11 FW Jesús Enríquez  United States
12 MF Joseph Nane  Cameroon
15 DF Akeem Ward  United States
18 MF José Hernández  Mexico
20 GK Paul Blanchette  United States
21 DF Emrah Klimenta  Montenegro
23 MF Memo Diaz  United States
33 DF Kai Greene  United States
47 GK Taylor Bailey  United States
61 FW Johnny Rodriguez  United States
DF Danny Barbir  United States
MF Charlie Dennis  England
DF Alejandro Fuenmayor  Venezuela
FW Dariusz Formella  Poland
DF Edgardo Rito  Venezuela

Technical staff[]

Managerial records[]

As of April 25, 2020
Name Nat. From To P W D L GS GA %W Honours Notes
Paul Bravo  United States May 9, 2019[60] October 31, 2019[61] 6 0 3 3 10 13 000.00
Jordan Ferrell  United States December 3, 2019[62] November 16, 2020 9 5 2 2 15 9 055.56 2020 Fall NISA Western Conference Champion
Dario Pot  Croatia November 16, 2020[63] April 25, 2021[64] 0 0 0 0 0 0 !
Jordan Ferrell  United States April 25, 2021 December 30, 2021[65] 34 12 9 13 37 43 035.29
Juan Guerra  Venezuela December 30, 2021[65] present 0 0 0 0 0 0 !

Honors[]

Domestic[]

National Independent Soccer Association

  • Western Conference
    • Champion (1): 2020

Team Awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Oakland Roots and their former MLS players bound for USL Championship in 2021". MLSsoccer.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Bay Area Soccer Roundup: 'Oakland Roots' announced, USL East Bay heads to Concord, Street Soccer USA Cup in SF, Quakes play 2 this week". blog.sfgate.com. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  3. ^ "NPSL FOUNDERS CUP MEMBERS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR 2019 EVENT". National Premier Soccer League. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Oakland Roots Statement: League and Membership". Oakland Roots SC. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  5. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (19 February 2019). "Oakland sticks to its Roots with first signing, Devante Dubose". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  6. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (18 March 2019). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots announce players, Quakes lose, UPSL, NPSL results". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  7. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (25 April 2019). ""I am ready for this." Former U.S. U-20 captain Benji Joya joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Oakland Roots Sign World Cup Veteran Víctor Bernárdez". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  9. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (24 July 2019). "Ex-MLS star Jack McInerney joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  10. ^ Woitalla, Mike. "Paul Bravo takes Oakland Roots' helm to complete Bay Area homecoming". www.socceramerica.com. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  11. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (1 September 2019). "Oakland Roots tie first ever game 3–3". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  12. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (14 October 2019). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots win first ever game, College, UPSL roundup". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  13. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (20 October 2019). "Oakland Roots earn draw in front of another sell out crowd". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo Mutually Agree to Part Ways". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Jordan Ferrell Named Head Coach for Oakland Roots S.C." Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  16. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (1 March 2020). "Late strike earns Oakland Roots point in season opener". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  17. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (8 March 2020). "Oakland Roots win first NISA league match". SF Gate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  18. ^ "NISA OFFICIAL UPDATE". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  19. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (27 April 2020). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots, SF City and SF Glens seasons canceled". SFGate.
  20. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (14 September 2020). "Late McInerney PK gives Oakland Roots tie against Cal Utd". SFGate. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  21. ^ "2020 NISA Fall Tournament Seedings Announced". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Chattanooga FC loses in NISA fall tournament semifinals". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  23. ^ O'Connor, Larry. "Super subs propel Detroit City FC to NISA fall championship". The Detroit News. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  24. ^ Straus, Brian. "Oakland Roots to Make Leap From NISA to USL Championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Mark Hall focused on bringing USL soccer to Concord". July 24, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  26. ^ "Local Developer Mark Hall Acquires Rights to USL Franchise for Oakland-East Bay Region of Northern California". Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  27. ^ "Developer pitches pro soccer stadium, hotel complex for Concord". Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  28. ^ "USL East Bay Concord stadium project dropped by owner Mark Hall". Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  29. ^ "DEAR OAKLAND, LOVE SAALIH". November 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Oakland Roots Start Roster Build for 2021 with Local Players".
  31. ^ "Ex-NFL star Lynch joins soccer ownership ranks". ESPN.com. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  32. ^ https://www.lagconfidential.com/2021/5/24/22452132/la-galaxy-ii-lose-3-2-oakland-roots
  33. ^ https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2021/6/19/22541834/sacramento-republic-game-at-oakland-roots-postponed-due-to-playing-surface
  34. ^ https://www.soccerbayarea.com/2021/07/14/covid-outbreak-forces-oakland-roots-to-postpone-next-two-games/
  35. ^ https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1178242
  36. ^ https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1192562
  37. ^ https://www.thestrikertexas.com/2021/11/05/oakland-roots-upsets-el-paso-locomotive-fc-in-playoff-match
  38. ^ SC, Oakland Roots (2021-12-21). "Oakland Roots to Call Former Oakland Raiders Training Facility Home for 2022". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  39. ^ https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1200713
  40. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (October 20, 2019). "Oakland Roots earn draw in front of another sell out crowd". SFGATE.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "West Coast (feat. Blueface, ALLBLACK & YG) (Official Video)". YouTube. March 27, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "G-Eazy, Tyga – Bang (Official Video)". August 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. ^ "Zion I, MADlines, and DONBLAK – "Flame Go" (The North Pole Anthem)". YouTube. December 10, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ Vote, Kevin (May 15, 2019). "Descending the Pyramid: Oakland Roots Have Yet to Play an Official Match, But They're Quickly Becoming America's Most Exciting Club".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ^ FourFourTwo [@FourFourTwo] (8 March 2019). "