The Oakland Roots lost to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC by a score of 2-1 at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday night.
The Roots’ only goal came from Peter Wilson in the 59th minute. Morey Donor passed the ball to Bobosi Byaruhanga, who made eye contact with Wilson as he entered the penalty area. Wilson tied his run perfectly to avoid the offside trap and tap the ball into the net.
Mostly Quiet in the First Half
Oakland had a slight edge in the first 20 minutes of the match, earning four corner kicks.
In the 21st minute, a corner kick rattled around Colorado Springs’ penalty area before landing at the feet of Oakland’s Tyler Gibson, whose shot attempt from just outside the box sailed over the crossbar.
Less than one minute later, the Switchbacks responded when Juan Tejada intercepted a pass just over midfield and dished the ball off to Jonas Fjeldberg as he approached the penalty area. Oakland’s Gagi Margvelashvili caught up with Fjeldberg as he approached the goal and was able to redirect that ball so that it went just wide.
In the 24th minute, the Roots responded again, when Julian Bravo made his run on the left side and set up Ali Elmasnaouy for a shot from the penalty arc that sailed high and wide.
The Switchbacks took the lead with the first goal in the 43rd minute. A pass from Marco Micaletto threaded the needle between two Roots defenders, putting Fjeldberg in a one-on-one situation with Roots goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. Fjeldberg’s shot took one bounce on the turf and another off the support in the bottom right corner of the net.
Roots Give Up A Second Goal Early in the Second Half
The second half began in the same way the first half ended, with the same two key individuals also setting up Colorado Springs’ second goal in the 49th minute. Micaletto made a run down the middle of the field and sent the ball over to Fjeldberg, who immediately dished it off Quenzi Huerman at the far post. Huerman slid on the turf as the ball arrived and blasted his shot into the roof of the net.
Wilson’s equalizer brought new life to the Roots, but no further goals. Their best chance for an equalizer came in the 71st minute, when Panos Armenakas’s free kick was smothered by the wall. The ball bounced out to Faysal Bettache, but his shot from even further out sailed high and wide to the left.
Quotes
Head Coach Benny Feilhaber and defender Kai Greene spoke to the media after the match.
Feilhaber Comments on a Tough Loss
“It’s always frustrating when you lose,” he said. “Especially at home and against a team that we’re obviously competing with for a playoff spot. It’s always tough coming back after a break to be clicking. But at the same time, I think we had enough of the game in the first half to at least get to halftime at zeros. If not, maybe, stick one in the back of the net ourselves before they went up.
“And look they’ve been on a good run as well. Really good defensively, and they took their chances. In this league, that’s so crucial. For us, I don’t think we had the same composure close to goal to create the types of runs and types of passes and obviously finishes. They did that so I think they deserved the win.”
Feilhaber on Peter Wilson
“Goals are a big part [of Wilson’s role] and he’s scored two in the last two games that he’s played. So that’s a massive monkey off his back. I think he felt it in in the games prior that he hadn’t gotten a goal and had gotten some chances, so it’s great to see him finish some of these opportunities. And look, our #9 with the system that we’ve played has to be very active. They’ve got to be selfless at times. Physically, it’s an imposing position because you got a battle, usually against two different center backs. You got to be able to shift left and right, depending on which side of the field we’re building out from.
“So I think the one thing that he can continue to add to this game is the ability to be available in those moments to kind of open up the game. For maybe some of the other guys as well. I think he did a much better job in the second half. It was obviously a little bit easier because we were more attack-minded. And the ball was, you know, higher up the field. I think that’s one thing that he continues to work on and can continue to improve on.”
Greene on Peter Wilson
“Peter, he’s an animal. He’s one of those guys that I hate playing against, he’s rapid, he’s strong, and he has all the potential in the world, you know, I think really, highly of Peter. He’s a 15 to 20 goal type of guy. I know he maybe been under some pressure lately, but we support him with everything, and he’s going to be great with us. We don’t worry about him or anything like that, you know. I really enjoy playing with Peter.”
Next Week’s Match
The Roots’ next two matches are on the road as they take on Sacramento Republic FC on August 16th and Lexington SC on August 23rd.
Feilhaber on the Rivalry with Sacramento
“Well, one thing that I don’t think I’ll have to do too much is motivate these guys, right? It’s gonna be a derby or darby game. I played in a few of those in my playing days, and I know how important it is for Oakland Roots fans and for our players. Going up to Sacramento will be great for the guys after a difficult loss because you have to get focused very quickly, and you know guys will be motivated and be ready to play on that one.”
Greene on the Sacramento Rivalry
“I don’t really see derbies that way. Yes, it’s considered a rivalry and this and that, but it’s another game at the end of the day. Maybe there’s more people in the crowd and more emotion. You’re going to get kicked more, but you have to be prepared. We got kicked a lot in this game. I don’t think it’s gonna be any different from Sac, maybe more fans over there because they know the rivalry and the significance of the game. But you know these younger guys, they understand the game. Now you know they’re mature. They’ve played in front of a big crowds, but it’s another game that we have to win. Nothing’s changed. Three points is three points at the end of the day, whether it’s a rivalry or a bottom of the table type of team, so that’s how I approach those games.”
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