An opportunistic goal by Johnny Rodriguez pushed the Roots past Las Vegas and kept their post-season dreams alive.
After losing 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Roots faced a familiar foe in the Lights at Cashman Field. The game was a tight affair, with both teams having a handful of decent chances before Rodriguez’s strike.
In the 63rd minute, Vegas defender Mohamed Traore attempted to build from the back. He delivered a pass that Roots midfielder Wall Fal intercepted with his foot. Luckily for Oakland, the ball bounced off of Fal’s foot directly to Rodriguez. He quickly turned and fired off an unmarked shot past Vegas keeper Alex Rando.
Vegas almost tied the match in the Dylan Presto’s shot hit the left post in the 79th minute.
Taylor Bailey made his second start in a row for Oakland and had two saves.
The win pushed the Roots to sixth place in the Western Division with twenty-three points, only seven points behind fourth-place Tacoma Defiance.
After their two-game road trip, Oakland returns to Laney College on Saturday to start a four-game homestand that may well decide their post-season fortunes for this year.
They will face a stiff challenge for their first game against second-place San Diego Loyal, led by former US Men’s National Team star Landon Donovan.
