Orange County Square Off With Oakland In California Clash

One positive thing about Orange County, they have had a consistent offense that through nine league games have only been shut out just once. The negative that comes with that staff is the fact that they have only won once. 

While the offense is serviceable, the defense has been less than optimal. OCSC have allowed 15 goals which is the worst in the Western Conference and third worst in the USL. It also does not help that this is officially Orange County’s worst start through nine league games as they are only at 6 points.

However trends are meant to be changed and OC will look to travel up the California coast to the Bay Area as they take on the Oakland Roots. 

THE OPPONENT - OAKLAND ROOTS SC

Oakland Roots were established in 2018 with their first season as a part of the NISA. It was not until 2021 for the Roots to make the jump up a division and join the USL Championship. Since then they have qualified for the Western Conference Semifinals in consecutive seasons. This is the first season at the helm for head coach Noah Delgado who is in his second season. Delgado took reins of the club after the controversial departure of Juan Guerra who infamously took the open position at Phoenix midway through last season. 

Through seven league games, Oakland currently sit at 7th on the Western Conference table at 11 points. They have been a bit of a mixed bag this season with a handful of strong wins that go along with some not-so-good defeats. While achieving convincing wins against Birmingham and New Mexico; they have also suffered defeats to teams like Indy and Hartford. Neither the offense nor defense have been outstanding either yet they should still be favored come Saturday. 

One important note of this game is a change in venue for Oakland, as the team continues to be in stadium flux while searching for their permanent home. After the Root’s original venue, Laney College, laid down a new turf that was deemed not adequate for soccer, the Roots moved on to Cal State East Bay’s Pioneer Stadium as their home ground. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

This is a much different Oakland team from last season with a number of key pieces having moved on from the club. This does not mean that Oakland did not bring in worthy replacements. In the back line comes El Salvadorian international Bryan Tamacas. Tamacas has been a consistent piece for his national team having been selected for the past 3 Gold Cup teams, World Cup qualifying, and the most recent CONCACAF Nations League. In attack, Dariusz Formella is tied for the club lead with three goals. The Polish forward has already reached half his total from last season in only a fourth of the games played. 

On the orange side of things, Alex Villanueva has been the leader in minutes for OC and has done so in a number of different positions. Not only has Alex started every game to this point, but the 20-year old has also netted a goal while making starts on both sides of the defense and in the midfield. He has been a consistent mainstay this season and will look to get OC back in the win column.

THE MATCHUP

Between these two teams, Orange County has had the upper hand in the past. In two seasons and one postseason, the Boys in Orange have won 5 of 7 matchups while only being defeated once. One unique stat of this is the fact that all of Orange County’s victories came during the 2021 Championship campaign. During that year OC won all four regular season matchups while also advancing past them in the playoffs. Last season Oakland were able to take four points from OC. This will be OC’s first game played at Cal State East Bay. 

WHAT TO KNOW

Game - @ Oakland Roots SC (USL Championship)

When - May 13, 8:00 PM PST

Where - CSUEB Pioneer Stadium (Hayward, CA)

OCSC FORM - LLLLW

OAK FORM - WDLLL

All-Time Matchup - 5-1-1

TV - ESPN+