In Benny Feilhaber’s second match as head coach, the Oakland Roots were well organized but had trouble with set pieces in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
The first shot on goal for either side came in the 35th minute, when Colorado Springs’ Matt Mahoney made a run down the left side, then dished the ball off to Yosuke Hanya for a one-timer from just inside the penalty area. But his shot was right at Oakland goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.
The only goal in the match came in the 39th minute, when Oakland’s Jürgen Damm took down Hanya to prevent a goal opportunity, earning a yellow card in the process. Marco Micaletto took the free kick from just outside the box; it curved over the three-man wall as McIntosh made a desperate attempt to reach it.
The Switchbacks nearly added a second goal on a corner kick in the waning moments of first half stoppage time, but Tyler Clegg’s header clanged off of the crossbar.
Oakland Wins Possession Battle in Second Half
Oakland had its first big chance in the 48th minute, when José Luis Sinisterra made a run down the right side, delivered a pass to Panos Armenakas, who immediately shuttled it over to Wolfgang Prentice. Colorado Springs goalkeeper Christian Herrera rushed out to try to deflect his shot away, but it sailed over the bar.
But the hosts also had more chances as Oakland moved players forward to try and get the equalizer.
In the 49th minute, the hosts responded, when a quick throw-in left Anthony Fontana in a one-on-one with McIntosh. The shot sailed over the bar, but McIntosh was slow to get up after the collision.
In the 52nd minute, Colorado Springs once again threatened on a corner kick. Matthew Real got his foot on the ball from close range, but it sailed over the bar. McIntosh required medical attention after the play.
McIntosh kept his team in the match in the 70th minute, punching out a blast from Juan Tejada that was headed for the near post.
A minute later, Tejada was back with another run down the right side and McIntosh had to dive to his right to deflect the ball away.
In the 72nd minute, McIntosh was able to push away Quenzi Huerman’s free kick toward the near post.
Huerman had another chance from a free kick just outside the box in the 79th minute, but McIntosh raised his arms and sent it over the bar.
Oakland had a decent chance at an equalizer in the 81st minute. Good ball movement from the Roots, leaving Armenakas, but he blasted the ball over the bar.
Next Week
The Roots resume action next Saturday, taking on Birmingham Legion FC.
