May 6, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Oakland Roots News Release
The home side, Birmingham Legion, played with the ball in Oakland’s half for most of the opening half hour. They were only able to manage a few half chances and never really threatened the goal of Paul Blanchette. Oakland Roots built their way into the game over the next 15 minutes, creating some attacks of their own, including multiple first-half corner kicks. However, like Legion in the first part of the half, Oakland was unable to truly threaten Legion’s goal. That all changed in stoppage time when Oakland Roots were awarded a penalty kick that Darek Formella stepped up to score, giving Oakland the lead at 1-0 into the half.
Oakland conceded early in the second half from a free kick despite going into the half with the man advantage from Phanuel Kativa’s first half red card. Enzo Martinez found the back of the net to level the game for the home side at 1-1. Oakland Roots would earn another penalty kick just after the hour mark that Formella would see saved this time, but Lindo Mfeka would follow up to make it 2-1 in favor of Roots. Oakland quickly doubled the lead as Trayvone Reid subbed on and scored off a rebound to make it 3-1. Johnny Rodriguez subbed on late to add the icing on the cake with his third goal of the year to finish off the game at 4-1.
Oakland Roots next play at home against Orange County SC on Saturday, May 13th with kickoff set for 8:00 PM PT, a double header after Oakland Soul kickoff at 5:00 PM PT.
Oakland Roots SC at Birmingham Legion
USL Championship | May 6, 2023
Venue: Legion Field Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama
Kickoff: 4:30 PM PT
Weather: 78 degrees and mostly cloudy
SCORELINE:
BHM: 1
OAK: 4
SCORING SUMMARY:
OAK: 45’+ Darek Formella
BHM: 48′ Enzo Martinez
OAK: 63′ Lindo Mfeka
OAK: 71′ Trayvone Reid
OAK: 88′ Johnny Rodriguez
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
BHM: 6′ Mikey Lopez (yellow card)
BHM: 35′ Phanuel Kavita (yellow card)
BHM: 45′ Phanuel Kavita (2nd yellow card)
OAK: 47â² Kevin Wright (yellow card)
BHM: 63′ Gabriel Alves (yellow card)
BHM: 77′ Matt Van Oekel (yellow card)
BHM: 82′ Enzo Martinez (yellow card)
OAK: 87′ Memo Diaz (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Tarek Morad, Neveal Hackshaw, Danny Barbir, Bryan Tamacas (Memo Diaz), Kevin Wright (Trayvone Reid), Napo Matsoso, Daniel Gomez (Emrah Klimenta), Edgardo Rito, Darek Formella (Anuar Peláez), Lindo Mfeka (Johnny Rodriguez)
Unused subs: Irakoze Donasiyano, Taylor Bailey
Shots: 14 | Shots On…