Oakland beats Monterey FC, advances in the Jägermeister Cup

OAKLAND, Calif. – In front of a passionate home crowd at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, the Oakland Roots earned a crucial 2–1 win over Monterey Bay FC on Saturday night in USL Jägermeister Cup group play. 

With an aggressive, high-pressing start, the Roots set the tone early and were rewarded in the 17th minute when Morey Doner smashed home the opening goal after a slick assist from Panos Armenakas. The goal sent the home fans into a frenzy and gave Oakland early momentum against a Monterey side that had yet to concede in the tournament.

The second half opened with more intensity from the hosts. In the 58th minute, Armenakas once again played creator, linking up beautifully with Doner, who rifled a second goal past the outstretched arms of the Monterey keeper. 

The brace from Doner not only gave the Roots breathing room but also highlighted the chemistry building within Oakland’s attack. It was a performance filled with urgency and confidence, traits that had eluded the Roots in earlier matches of the competition.

Morey Doner, a long time player for Monterey Bay FC was signed by Oakland in late May and has been a large part of the defensive resurgence says its cohesion and clarity in the locker room that is to thank for the shift.
 

“I think it’s just pride,” Doner said. “As a family, moving forward, that’s what we’re trying to do


Monterey Bay responded with late pressure and were finally rewarded in the 86th minute when Luke Ivanovic curled a superb shot into the top corner, cutting the deficit to 2–1. The visitors pressed hard in the closing minutes, but Oakland’s backline, anchored by the reliable Raphael Spiegel in goal held their shape under fire. Spiegel made a crucial late save in stoppage time to preserve all three points, capping off a complete team effort that saw the Roots get out shot by Monterey

Saturday’s win keeps Oakland’s hopes alive in the Jägermeister Cup group stage. Now with four points in the Group 1 table, and thanks to a number of results from other groups, the  Roots are technically still alive in the tournament. 

The club will need to earn a victory in their final cup competition versus Orange County, and will once again require plenty of outside help, but a path through the group stage, however slim, does exist.

When new Roots head coach Benny Feilhaber took over the club the Roots had conceded a USL Championship worst 27 goals across all competitions. After 4 games under coach Feilabers guidance the Roots have only given up two goals.

"I think the players are the one's that deserve most of the credit. They have given me everything and more that I've asked for said" Feilhaber after the match against Monterey.

 For Feilhaber it was a promising display of grit and growth, as the Roots found the right balance between possession, pressing, and execution. With the fans in full voice and the team finally clicking into gear, this win may prove a turning point in the Roots summer campaign.

Story by Isaac Espinosa 

The Oakland Roots made two wins in two games banking an Orange County SC squad that beat the Roots 4-2 to open the 2025 season.

It didn't take long for the Roots to make an imprinting on the game. In the 10' the Roots defense forced a turnover in OSC's half of the field and it turned into  Wolfgang Prentice goal and what turned out to be a game winner.

It was Prentices 4th goal and 3rd in the past two games, both Roots wins. Oakland might have found the goal scoring threats lost when Jonnhy Rodriguez left the teams.

The Oakland Roots can take a deep breath after holding on to win 2-1 at Tulsa FC Saturday. It was the first win coming after four losses including an ugly 0-3 setback at home their last tune on the pitch.

All 3 goals came in the first half with the game winner scored in first half stoppage time by  Wolfgang Prentice (45+6).

Wolfgang was the man for Oakland. That was his second goal of the game. Wolfgang opened the scoring when he found the back of the net in the 31'.

Tulsa's Owen Damm got one back in minute 42 but the Roots defense kept a clean sheet the rest of the match. That second shutout must have made the win even sweeter especially on the road.

Oakland would have lost if not for the play of their goalie Kendall McIntosh. First in the 29' McIntosh went low to the ground to stop a shot on goal.

Then in the 64' McIntosh dove to his left to stop a header with some pace on it from point blank range to help keep the Roots ahead.

Oakland has a quick turnaround with a game at Tacoma against the Tacoma Defiance in the 3rd round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Championship Tuesday night.

Oakland returns home Just four days later to host Orange County FC April 19th in an afternoon match starting at 1pm.

Opening night at the Oakland Coliseum was a night to remember for the Oakland Roots their fans and the city Of Oakland.

The second largest crowd in USL Championship history, over 26,000 fans made their way into the former home of the Oakland Raiders and A's rocked the joint with a Too Short appearance but lost the game 2-1 to San Antonio.

A win would have been the icing on the cake for Oakland but they did get a 7' minute goal from Justin Rasmussen who had the Coliseum jumping with a beautiful bicycle kick from 10 yards out.

Oakland is now 0-3-1 after holding Las Vegas to a 0-0 draw at home. The Roots can take pride in their defense thar gave up 4 goals the first game, 2 goals the next game a zero in their last.

Those are steps in the right direction. Oakland 

 Oakland is off and running in the 2025 USL Championship season. Two road losses to start the season was not what the Doctor ordered but they have not dampned the spirit of the team or the fans.

Over 20, 000 strong will be on hand, The Roots biggest crowd to date, when Oakland hosts San Antonio in their home opened March 22nd at 7pm.

The Roots will need to improve a defense that has given up 7 goals in two games. 3 or 4 goals allowed a game is not a winning strategy. 

It's early in the season and playing in the "new" digs in front of a record crowd will provide a spark for the team. 

Playing at the Coliseum is a huge step fir a team that invested in what many thought was a heartless crime ridden city. 

Instead the Roots found a home full of love in the City of Oakland and soccer fans from around the  bay area. 

Oakland came close to beating rival Monterey falling 3-2 despite taking a first half lead. A 14 minute stretch in the second half did the Roots in.

Monterey FC scored in the 56, 65 and 69 min to go up 3-1 before giving a goal back in the 71'. Oakland could not find the equalizer falling to 0-2.

The Roots defense was good all but 15mins of the Monterey FC game. No moral victories for Oakland they want wins.

Defense really wins games and after a very brief two games of the season the Roots have given up a league high 7 goals.

Several teams have given up 6 goals so the Roots are not far off. Playing at home in front of their home fans can help a team. 

25-30 thousand fans can make the Coliseum pretty loud, especially if Oakland can get some early goals and or pull out the win.

The Oakland Roots have removed the interim tag from Gavin Glintons title and hired him on as the head coach of the Oakland Roots.

Gavin led Oakland to a franchise record 13 wins last season and a spot in the USL Championship  playoffs. 

Coach Glinton has world class experience as a player being selected to play for his country, Turks and Caicos on the World Cup level while also winning a double (MLS Cup and Supporters Shield) with the LA Galaxy in 2002.

The Oakland Roots Sports Club announced roster updates following the conclusion of the 2024 USL Championship Season in preparation for 2025. 

Defender Kai Greene was announced Monday as the first new addition to the team for the 2025 season. 

Johnny Rodriguez and Neveal Hackshaw received a new contract for the 2025 season.  

Ilya Alekseev, Etsgar Cruz, Dom Dwyer, Gagi Margvelashvili, Miche Naider-Chéry, Baboucarr Njie, Justin Rasmussen, Camden Riley, Jose Luis Sinisterra, and Tim Syrel, all have existing contracts for the 2025 season. 

Rafael Baca, Daniel Gomez, and Wolfgang Prentice had contract options picked up by the club for the 2025 season.

The following players are out of contract: Paul Blanchette, Memo Diaz, and Irakoze Donasiyano. 

Contract options were declined by the club for Niall Logue, Napo Matsoso, and Trayvone Reid. 

After years of traveling around the San Francisco East Bay to play their home games the Oakland Roots might finally landed where they can let their roots grow deep into the Oakland soil

The Club signed a one year deal with the option to continue to play in the Oakland Coliseum until their own proposed stadium just across the parking lot gets built.

It took 3 million dollars for the Roots to rent out the place and it gives them a dynamic base with their outstanding training facilites and the Oakland International airport just 5 minutes away.

Playing at the Oakland Colisuem gives the Roots the largest stadium in the USL Championship. Management knows the Roots won't get 60,000 fans to come out to the games but they do feel like crowds up to say 20-25,000 are possible.

Who knows, maybe the Roots will fill up the place from time to time.

The field also increases the chance of the Oakland Roots hosting international friendlies against clubs doing their summer tours.