Roots Hang on to Playoff Hopes with Scoreless Draw in Tacoma

Oakland Roots traveled up to Tacoma, Washington for a midweek bout with Tacoma Defiance for the fourth and final time this season. Rain earlier in the day made for some slippery conditions but Roots controlled possession early and maintained throughout the entire first half. The squad had their chances through the first 45 minutes with five shots but went into the half still searching for that breakthrough goal.

The second half was more of the same as Roots continued to control possession by a large margin. Head coach Jordan Ferrell brought in some fresh legs midway through the half, subbing on Max Ornstil and Ariel Mbumba. Ultimately neither team was able to create that game-defining moment and settled with a scoreless draw.

Roots are still in the playoff chase and travel to San Diego this Sunday, October 24th before returning to Oakland for the season finale on October 30th.

Oakland Roots SC vs Tacoma Defiance
USL Championship | October 20, 2021
Venue: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma, Washington
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PST
Weather: 54, cloudy

SCORELINE: 1   2   FT
TAC: 0     0   0
OAK: 0    0   0

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
OAK: Amarikwa (Yellow 41’)
OAK: Max Ornstil (Yellow 90’)
OAK: Ariel Mbumba (Yellow 90’+)

OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Wal Fall, Tarek Morad, Matias Fissore, Jesus Enriquez (Yohannes Harish), Joseph Nane (Max Ornstil), Akeem Ward, Paul Blanchette, Memo Diaz, Quincy Amarikwa (Jeremy Bokila), Kai Greene, Johnny Rodriguez (Ariel Mbumba)

Unused subs: Soya Takahashi, Emrah Klimenta, Taylor Bailey,

TACOMA DEFIANCE LINEUP: Sam Adeniran, Ray Serrano, Juan Alvarez (Robles), Alex Villanueva, Obed Vargas, Reed Baker-Whiting (Diaz), Cody Baker, Jackson Ragen, Tom Brewitt, Taylor Mueller, Stefan Cleveland

Unused subs: Kulhanek, Hafferty, Kinzner, Rayyan, M. Vargas