The Oakland Roots scored early and late to defeat New Mexico United 2-1 in their home opener at the Oakland Coliseum.
Fired up by a large crowd, Oakland came out with a bang, scoring in the 7th minute thanks to the club’s longest tenured player, Wolfgang Prentice. He got onto the end of a cross at the far post from Mark Fisher to head the ball into the net.
With the early lead, the Roots settled into a counterattacking style willing to give up possession of the ball to New Mexico but attacking quickly when they were able to turn over the visitors. Oakland’s best chance to double the lead in the first half was when a Prentice pass through the back line sent Roots forward Peter Wilson one-on-one with New Mexico’s goalkeeper Kristopher Shakes. The New Mexico goalie saved Wilson’s attempt in the box.
New Mexico looked to equalize early in the second half and tested Raphael Spiegel early in the second half, but the Roots goalkeeper was up to the task.
In the 80th minute, it looked like the Roots were able to put the game to bed. A shot from Oakland’s Jackson Kiil from close range was saved, but the ball bounced off New Mexico defender Arturo Astorga and into the net for an own goal to give the Roots a 2-0 advantage.
New Mexico didn’t give up and got one goal back two minutes later when Justin Rennicks scored inside the box off a pass from teammate Jake LaCava, setting up a tense end to the game.
Oakland was able to weather the late storm, including a shot from New Mexico’s Zico Bailey that Spiegel had to save, to claim the full three points and find themselves at the top of the league.
Next up for the Roots is a trip to Arizona to take on Phoenix Rising on March 21.
