2020–21 Oakland Roots SC season

The 2020–21 Oakland Roots SC season was the club's second in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and second overall.

Oakland Roots SC
2020–21 NISA season
ChairmanSteven Aldrich
Head coachJordan Ferrell
StadiumLaney College
Oakland, CA
NISAFall, Western Conf.: 1st
PlayoffsFall: Fall Championship Final
Top goalscorerLeague: Matthew Fondy: 2
All: Matthew Fondy: 5
Biggest winOAK 3–0 NAFC
(Sep. 21, Fall Playoffs)
Biggest defeatOAK 1–2 DCFC
(Sep. 23, Fall Playoffs)
OAK 1–2 DCFC
(Oct. 2, Fall Championship)
2021 →

On September 15, 2020, Oakland announced that it would be joining the second division USL Championship in 2021.[1] The Roots became the fourth NISA team to cease league play during an on-going season and second to-do so in order to join the USLC after Miami FC made the same jump one year prior.

Roster

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Players

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As of September 6, 2020[2]
No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Christian Herrera   United States
2 DF Daniel Navarro   United States
5 DF Nana Attakora (Captain)   Canada
06 FW Matthew Fondy   United States
8 MF Angel Heredia   United States
9 FW Jack McInerney   United States
10 MF Nelson Blanco   El Salvador
11 FW Tristan Bowen   United States
12 MF Peter Pearson   United States
16 MF Niall Irwin   Republic of Ireland
19 FW Josiah Romero   United States
22 MF Diego Casillas (on loan from Reno 1868 FC)   Mexico
27 FW Julio Cervantes   Mexico
32 MF Manny González   Colombia
33 DF Robert Hines II   United States
44 MF Ariel Mbumba   DR Congo
47 GK Taylor Bailey   United States
49 DF Tarn Weir   United States
50 DF David Abidor   United States
61 FW Johnny Rodriguez   United States
88 DF Seo-In Kim   South Korea
90 GK Kevin Gonzalez   United States
91 MF Yohannes Harish   Eritrea
98 MF Jonathan Orozco   United States

Staff

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Transfers

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No. Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
88 MF   Seo-In Kim   SK Zápy Free transfer July 31, 2020 [3]
10 MF   Nelson Blanco   San Diego 1904 FC Free transfer August 6, 2020 [4]
22 MF   Diego Casillas   Reno 1868 FC Loan for Fall season September 3, 2020 [5]
61 FW   Johnny Rodriguez   Cal State Northridge Matadors Free transfer
1 GK   Christian Herrera   Tacoma Defiance End of loan
No. Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/notes Date Source
24 DF   Nikolai Littleton Unattached Retired July 14, 2020 [6]
3 DF   Wilfred Williams   Chattanooga FC Free transfer August 31, 2020 [7]
4 DF   Doueugui Mala Unattached Not re-signed
13 DF   Francesco Tiozzo   Adriese Free transfer September 4, 2020
15 MF   Khadim Seye Unattached Not re-signed
17 MF   David Ochoa Unattached Not re-signed
22 FW   Alex Garuba Unattached Not re-signed
5 DF   Nana Attakora Unattached Retired November 17, 2020 [8][9][10]
22 MF   Diego Casillas   Reno 1868 FC End of loan November 30, 2020

Justice Match

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On July 30, 2020, Oakland announced it would be hosting and broadcasting a special event prior to the regular season start called the "Justice Match" on August 29.[11] The scrimmage featured Roots players mixed into two teams with retired local women's professional players and local women's soccer ambassadors that both played and coached, including former USWNT player Aly Wagner, Miranda Nild of the Thailand women's national football team, and former Afghanistan captain Hailai Arghandiwal.[12]

The event was postponed on August 26 due to unhealthy air quality from the 2020 California wildfires.[13] It was later rescheduled for October 10.[14]

October 10, 2020 (2020-10-10) Team Dania 4–4 Team Nana Walnut Creek, California
3:10 p.m. PDT
Report
Broadcast
Stadium: COPA Soccer Training Center
Attendance: 0
Note: Game was played behind closed doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic, composed of two 30-minute halves, 8v8 indoor format

Competitions

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NISA Fall Season

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On June 4, NISA announced details for the 2020 Fall Season.[15] The eight member teams would be split into conferences, Eastern and Western, with the Roots playing in the later.

The Fall regular season schedule was announced on July 31, 2020.[16] The team is set to play two regular season games, both on the road, against the rest of the Western Conference.

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Oakland Roots SC 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
2 California United Strikers FC 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2
3 Los Angeles Force 2 0 1 1 0 2 −2 1

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
2 1 1 0 3 1  +2 4 0 0 0 0 0  0 1 1 0 3 1  +2

Last updated: September 13, 2020.
Source: Match reports

Matches

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September 6, 2020 (2020-09-06) Week 1 Los Angeles Force 0–2 Oakland Roots SC Irvine, California
5:00 p.m. PDT
Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Omeed Azadpour
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
September 13, 2020 (2020-09-13) Week 2 California United Strikers FC 1–1 Oakland Roots SC Irvine, California
4:00 p.m. PDT
NISA Report
Cal United Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Karen Callado
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Fall Playoffs

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All eight NISA teams qualified for the 2020 Fall tournament, which will be hosted at Keyworth Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, beginning on September 21 ending with the final on October 2.[17]

Group stage

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Oakland Roots SC 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 6 Advance to semifinals
2 Detroit City FC 3 2 0 1 6 5 +1 6
3 Michigan Stars FC 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
4 New Amsterdam FC 3 0 1 2 4 9 −5 1
Source: NISAofficial.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points, 2) Goal differential, 3) Goals scored, 4) Head-to-head record, 5) Coin toss
September 21, 2020 (2020-09-21) Group stage Oakland Roots SC 3–0 New Amsterdam FC Hamtramck, Michigan
8:00 p.m. EDT
NISA Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Samuel Pizzimenti
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
September 24, 2020 (2020-09-24) Group stage Oakland Roots SC 1–2 Detroit City FC Hamtramck, Michigan
5:00 p.m. EDT
NISA Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Jacob Little
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
September 27, 2020 (2020-09-27) Group stage Oakland Roots SC 1–0 Michigan Stars FC Hamtramck, Michigan
5:00 p.m. EDT
NISA Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Carter Brochu
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Knockout stage

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September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30) Semifinal Oakland Roots SC 3–2 Chattanooga FC Hamtramck, Michigan
5:00 p.m. EDT
NISA Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Samuel Pizzimenti
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic
October 2, 2020 (2020-10-02) Fall Championship Oakland Roots SC 1–2 Detroit City FC Hamtramck, Michigan
6:00 p.m. EDT
NISA Report
FotMob Report
Broadcast
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Nicole Green
Note: Game was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Squad statistics

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As of Match played October 2, 2020

Appearances and goals

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No. Pos Nat Player Total Fall Season Fall Playoffs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 GK   USA Christian Herrera 7 0 2+0 0 5+0 0
47 GK   USA Taylor Bailey 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
90 GK   USA Kevin Gonzalez 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
Defenders
2 DF   USA Daniel Navarro 4 0 0+0 0 2+2 0
5 DF   CAN Nana Attakora 5 0 2+0 0 3+0 0
33 DF   USA Robert Hines II 4 0 2+0 0 2+0 0
49 DF   USA Tarn Weir 7 0 2+0 0 5+0 0
50 DF   USA David Abidor 7 0 2+0 0 5+0 0
Midfielders
8 MF   USA Angel Heredia 5 1 0+0 0 2+3 1
10 MF   SLV Nelson Blanco 7 1 0+2 0 1+4 1
12 MF   USA Peter Pearson 7 0 2+0 0 4+1 0
16 MF   IRL Niall Irwin 3 0 0+0 0 2+1 0
22 MF   MEX Diego Casillas 6 0 2+0 0 4+0 0
32 MF   COL Manny González 6 0 2+0 0 1+3 0
44 MF   COD Ariel Mbumba 7 0 0+2 0 5+0 0
88 MF   KOR Seo-In Kim 2 1 0+1 0 1+0 1
91 MF   ERI Yohannes Harish 6 0 2+0 0 4+0 0
98 MF   USA Jonathan Orozco 2 0 0+2 0 0+0 0
Forwards
06 FW   USA Matthew Fondy 7 5 2+0 2 4+1 3
9 FW   USA Jack McInerney 7 2 2+0 1 2+3 1
11 FW   USA Tristan Bowen 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
19 FW   USA Josiah Romero 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
27 FW   MEX Julio Cervantes 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
61 FW   USA Johnny Rodriguez 6 2 0+2 0 3+1 2

Goal scorers

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Place Position Nation Number Name Fall Season Fall Playoffs Total
1 FW   06 Matthew Fondy 2 3 5
2 FW   9 Jack McInerney 1 1 2
FW   61 Johnny Rodriguez 0 2 2
3 MF   8 Angel Heredia 0 1 1
MF   10 Nelson Blanco 0 1 1
MF   88 Seo-In Kim 0 1 1

Disciplinary record

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Number Nation Position Name Fall Season Fall Playoff Total
           
2   DF Daniel Navarro 0 0 1 0 1 0
9   FW Jack McInerney 1 0 1 0 2 0
10   MF Nelson Blanco 0 0 1 0 1 0
12   MF Peter Pearson 0 0 1 0 1 0
16   MF Niall Irwin 0 0 2 0 2 0
22   MF Diego Casillas 0 0 1 0 1 0
44   MF Ariel Mbumba 0 0 1 0 1 0
49   DF Tarn Weir 0 0 1 0 1 0
50   DF David Abidor 1 0 1 0 2 0
91   MF Yohannes Harish 0 0 1 0 1 0

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "USL Championship Welcomes Oakland Roots for 2021 Season". USL Championship. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "2020 Squad". Oakland Roots SC. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Roots Add South Korean Born Seo-in Kim Ahead of the 2020 Fall NISA Season". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved September 1, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Roots Sign 20-Year-Old Salvadorian Midfielder Nelson Blanco". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved September 1, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Roots Add Midfielder Diego Casillas and Forward Johnny Rodriguez Ahead of Sunday's Fall Season Opener". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved September 6, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Oakland Born and Raised Roots Original Retires". Oakland Roots SC. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Chattanooga FC Strengthens Back Line, Adds Wilfred Williams to the Club". Chattanooga FC. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Roots Captain Nana Attakora Retires from Playing to Join Roots Coaching Staff". November 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Home". Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  10. ^ "Oakland News Now Blog SF Bay Area U.S.A. World".
  11. ^ "Roots Return to Play August 29th with the "Justice Match," Presented by Fremont Bank". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved September 1, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (July 31, 2020). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots return in August, SJ Quakes aim for MLS Tourney semis, NSL adds teams". SF Gate. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. ^ Zimmerman, Douglas (August 26, 2020). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots justice match postponed, SJ Quakes resume without Erikkson, NSL adds team". SF Gate. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  14. ^ "Roots Announce the Rescheduled "Justice Match" Date to be Played on October 10th, Presented by Fremont Bank". Oakland Roots SC. September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Roots 2020 Fall Season Update". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved September 1, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "NISA Fall 2020 Schedule Update". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "2020 NISA Fall Tournament locks in on Detroit". nisaofficial.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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