March 11, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Oakland Roots News Release
Oakland Roots on game night
(Oakland Roots)
San Antonio FC got on the front foot early with a cross from a set piece forcing a save from Paul Blanchette inside of ten minutes. That chance was quickly followed by another San Antonio attack when Niko Hansen drove at Oakland Roots’ defense giving the home side the lead 1-0 in the 13th minute. Following the goal, Joseph Nane and Edgardo Rito would quickly pick up yellow cards before Oakland found their first chance. Oakland had their best chance of the first half when Lindo Mfeka played a quick set piece ball to Memo Diaz leading to a chance for Emrah Klimenta on the volley, saved by Jordan Farr from San Antonio. Moments later, Lamar Batista found the back of the net with a skillful overhead kick to give the host the 2-0 lead. Farr was forced into one more huge save to preserve the two-goal lead into the half when Darek Formella missed from close range.
Oakland started the second half stronger of the two sides with a chance right away when Lindo Mfeka forced another save out of Jordan Farr. Oakland kept the pressure up as Edgardo Rito found Memo Diaz to pull one back for Oakland Roots to make it 2-1 in the 58th minute. Then out of nowhere, Lamar Batista scored a second off a clearance that caught Paul Blanchette off his line to give the home side the two-goal lead again, 3-1 in the 74th minute. Trayvone Reid would force one final great save out of Jordan Farr in stoppage time as Oakland fell to San Antonio 3-1.
Oakland Roots SC play next Sunday, March 19th away at Rio Grande Valley at 5:00 PM PT for the second game of the USL Championship Season.
Oakland Roots SC at San Antonio FC
USL Championship | March 11, 2023
Venue: Toyota Stadium, San Antonio
Kickoff: 5:30 PM PT
Weather: 86° degrees, clear
SCORELINE:
SA: 3
OAK: 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
SA: 13′ Niko Hansen
SA: 46′ Lamar Batista
OAK: 58′ Memo Diaz
SA: 74′ Lamar Batista
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
OAK: 14′ Joseph Nane (yellow card)
OAK: 16′ Edgardo Rito (yellow card)
SA: 42′ Lamar Batista (yellow card)
OAK: 51′ Napo Matsoso (yellow card)
OAK: 93′ Irakoze Donasiyano (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Danny Barbir, Tarek Morad, Emrah Klimenta, Memo Diaz, Joseph Nane (Irakoze Donasiyano),Napo Matsoso, Edgardo Rito, Lindo Mfeka, Darek Formella (Trayvone Reid), Johnny Rodriguez (Anuar Peláez)
Unused subs: Taylor Bailey, Daniel Gomez, Drew Murray, Wolfgang Prentice
Shots: 11| Shots On…