Quick Look:
Date: August 19, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM PT
Location: Cal State University East Bay, Hayward, California
How to Watch:
- ESPN+ (Streaming)
Match Preview:
Oakland Roots SC return to action on Saturday night in Hayward when they host Western Conference rivals Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
After enjoying a 15-day break, Head Coach Noah Delgado and his Roots team will be looking to extend their 6-match unbeaten run and collect a 5th win in 7 games. In their last match on August 4th, Oakland collected all three points and a clean sheet on the road against Charleston Battery. Late in the first half, Roots defender Danny Barbir’s headed cross deflected off of Derek Dodson and into the side-netting, giving Oakland a lead which they would not surrender.
Roots currently sit in 3rd place in the Western Conference and are looking to finish the regular season in the Top 4 for the first time and earn the opportunity to host the first home playoff game in club history. Their next hurdle to clear is Saturday’s face-off with Colorado Springs, who are fighting to ensure their qualification for the playoffs come October. The Switchbacks enter the match on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home against Eastern Conference outfit FC Tulsa in which they were the dominant side and were perhaps unlucky not to claim the victory.
The two clubs have faced each other three times in their history, including once this season, with each side winning one and the other encounter ending in a draw. However, the home team in this contest has never emerged victorious from this matchup. Oakland Roots SC will be looking to erase that fact in what will prove to be a critical contest in the Western Conference on Saturday night.
