Roots Concede Early, Fall 0-1 at Home to San Antonio FC

September 14, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release

Oakland let in an early goal that they couldn’t overcome on Saturday night in the East Bay as a late rally in momentum fell short and visiting San Antonio FC earned all three points in an 0-1 contest.

The visitors didn’t take long to get to work. In the 4th minute of the contest San Antonio’s Jorge Hernandez worked in close to the goal line and chipped it over Paul Blanchette to a waiting Luis Solignac who booted it into the empty net to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Despite going down a goal early, Roots looked to rally, earning multiple scoring chances and playing fairly dangerous soccer for the remainder of the first half.

In added time of the first frame, Roots’ Camden Riley was shown back-to-back yellow cards and a subsequent red card, leaving Oakland down to ten men for the remainder of the contest.

Even playing down a man, Roots were clearly the more threatening team in what was an aggressive second half from both sides. Oakland came inches away from scoring on multiple occasions, but couldn’t find an equalizer before the final whistle.

Roots will now head on the road for a contest at Hartford Athletic on Saturday, Sept. 21st before returning to the East Bay for a home matchup with FC Tulsa on Sunday, Sept. 29th – that game is scheduled for a 3 PM PT kickoff.

Talking with Head Coach Gavin Glinton

Okay, Gavin, a pair of losses against teams you probably circle on the calendar – teams you got to take care of. Just what do you think has gone wrong these past two matches?

Well, I would definitely separate the two matches. Last week was an abomination, and nowhere near what we want or what we expect and what we demand. We were very, very clear about that. This one, it’s tough. We give away an early goal. We need to be tighter there and a little bit more locked in. But we know that this team, they thrive on that. And I thought going down to ten men obviously changes the game. I thought we were still proactive and good with the ball, and I’d like to see us be a little bit more dangerous when we come to the final third – just in terms of service and half chances, because we know that they’re going to pack in. They don’t care if they have the ball, they’re going to play long. So, you know, even down to ten men we had moments where it just didn’t fall – game of inches – but I can’t fault the effort and the commitment and the attention to detail. I can say week in, week out, we seem…