Oakland Trounces El Paso 4-0 at Laney College

July 17, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Oakland Roots News Release

Roots got off to a hot start on Saturday night at Laney College against Locomotive in its 22nd game of the season. In the 21st minute, winger Edgardo Rito received a long ball from deep and lasered a low cross into the path of Óttar Magnús Karlsson, who buried his shot home. It was Karlsson’s 14th of the season, good for the league’s top scorer.

Ten minutes later Rito was at the races again, driving into El Paso’s box before getting dragged down by an El Paso defender. Óttar Magnús Karlsson buried the penalty for his 15th of the season.

Just two minutes later Rito was attacking down the right flank again, winning a 50/50 header, keeping the ball in play and delivering a sumptuous cross to a charging Dariusz Formella who followed up on his saved header from point blank range and giving the Roots their third of the evening.

Five minutes before the half ended, midfielder José Hernández pounced on a loose ball in El Paso’s half, took a couple touches and buried his shot into the upper corner pocket.

With victory all but secured, the second half played backdrop to cameos from reserve players from both sides. The game ended 4-0 to Oakland. Roots return to Laney College on Saturday, July 23rd to face the Las Vegas Lights.

Talking to Head Coach Juan Guerra

What fueled the players in this big win tonight?

We’ve been doing this many times and my speech stays the same. We’re performance oriented. We created a lot of chances and the ball went in the back of the net. This is all because of the players and the hard work they put in – how resilient they are and how they believe in what we’re doing.

Tonight was a complete performance – everyone understood what they needed to do. We adapted in a few ways and the boys did that well. The fans can go home happy tonight, the players go home happy. We know what we’re capable of. I know what we have in that locker room.

Now we need to keep pushing. It’s only three points and we have to start thinking about the next game.

All four goal scoring opportunities were really good – pretty much unstoppable. What was it about tonight?

I respect and admire our boys. I do this because of how resilient and humble they are week in, week out. Even when results don’t go our way or games where we don’t do well – the boys wake up on Monday and show up to the training ground ready to work again. They tie their shoe laces, ask what we want them to do, and try…