Oakland Roots SC

Oakland Roots Sports Club is an American sports club based in Oakland, California who began play as a men's professional soccer team. The club was formed in 2018 by a group of Oakland natives and began play in the National Independent Soccer Association in the fall of 2019. In 2021, the club will move to the second division USL Championship.[1]

Oakland Roots
Full nameOakland Roots Sports Club
Founded2018
StadiumLaney College Football Stadium
Capacity5,500
ChairmanSteven Aldrich
Head coachDario Pot
LeagueUSL Championship
2020–21NISA Fall, West Coast: 1st
NISA Fall Playoffs: Runner-up
Spring: DNP
WebsiteClub website

History

The club was formed in July 2018 when it was announced the club would be known as Oakland Roots Sports Club.[2] The club originally was slated to play in the NPSL Founders Cup, but the club ultimately withdrew and instead joined the National Independent Soccer Association a division 3 sanctioned United States Soccer Federation Professional League.[3][4]

Oakland Roots began by signing 3 Oakland raised players in the Spring of 2019 in Devante Dubose, Julio Cervantes and Yohannes Harish.[5][6] This was followed by the signing of a few higher profile players as the club built out its inaugural rosters. Those players included former MLS and Liga MX player Benji Joya, former Honduran World Cup veteran Victor Bernardez and former 1st round MLS Draft Pick Jack McInerney.[7][8][9]

The Club announced its first head coach on May 9, 2019 when they signed Bay Area native, former MLS Player and Colorado Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo.[10]

National Independent Soccer Association

The club opened up the inaugural 2019–20 NISA season as the league’s first game, at home in front of a sold out crowd of more than 4,500. Jack McInerney would score a first half perfect hat trick in a match that would eventually end up in a 3-3 draw.[11]

Oakland Roots played 8 games in their inaugural season 6 in NISA and 2 friendlies vs Mexican opposition, FC Juarez and Club Atlético Zacatepec. The club picked up their first win at home vs Ascenso MX Club, Atlético Zacatepec by a score of 2-0.[12]

Oakland Roots sold out all 4 home games of the 2019 fall season averaging 4,927 fans including a record 5,723 in their final home game of 2019 a 1-1 draw vs Los Angeles Force.[13]

On October 31, 2019 Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo mutually agreed to part ways.[14] On December 3, 2019 Oakland Roots announced Jordan Ferrell as the club's new head coach.[15]

The Roots opened their second season at home once again in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,603. The match against Chattanooga FC would end in a 1-1 draw when Jack McInerney scored in the 93rd minute of the match after the Roots were forced to play down a man from a first-half Red Card.[16] The Roots followed this up by winning their first-ever NISA League match the following weekend vs Michigan Stars FC 2-1.[17]

On April 27, 2020, following a stoppage of play and subsequent extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season.[18][19]

In the abridged 2020 Fall regular season, Oakland finished first in the three team Western Conference with Matthew Fondy leading the team with two goals.[20][21] The Roots finished atop its group in the NISA Fall Championship, and beat Chattanooga FC in the national semifinal, before falling to Detroit City FC, 2–1, in the final.[22][23]

USL Championship

On September 15, 2020, the team announced they will be moving from the third-division NISA to the second-division USL Championship.[24]

Initially in 2017, the USL approved a bid from real estate developer Mark Hall to bring a soccer team to Concord, California instead of Oakland.[25][26] The team, called USL East Bay, planned to play a 15,000+ seat soccer-specific stadium complex before the development idea was scrapped in May 2020.[27][28] The team's territorial rights were later sold to the Roots.

In November of 2020, Oakland Roots announced the signing of Oakland born, Richmond, California raised midfielder Saalih Muhammad via a transfer from New Mexico United as the clubs first USL Championship player.[29] This was followed by the early December signings of Oakland raised Max Ornstil and re-signings of Yohannes Harish and Tarn Weir, as well as many others. [30]

Year-by-year
Season League Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA Pts. Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Top goalscorer Manager
Name League
2019–20 NISA Fall, West Coast[lower-alpha 1] 4th 6 0 3 3 10 13 3 Did not qualify Cancelled Jack McInerney 8
Paul Bravo
Spring[lower-alpha 2] 1st 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 Cancelled
Jordan Ferrell
2020–21 Fall, Western[lower-alpha 3] 1st 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 Runner-up Matthew Fondy 2
  1. The Fall 2019 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, East Coast and West Coast
  2. Spring season cancelled before completion
  3. The Fall 2020 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, Eastern and Western

Stadium

Roots home matches are played at Laney College Football Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium located near Lake Merritt where East and West Oakland meet. For Roots games the pitch is widened using a modular turf system. The Stadium has room for 3,500 seated and up to 5,500+ with standing room.[31]

Average attendance
YearReg. Season
2019 Fall 4,927
2020 Spring 5,193
2020 Fall N/A

Club culture

The Oakland Roots have been featured in pop culture in their history. Oakland Roots merchandise has been featured in two G-Eazy videos “West Coast” and "Bang".[32][33] The Roots Origins shirt then appeared in Zion I "Flame Go" Video a few months later.[34] As well Oakland born and raised Basketball player Damian Lillard wore Oakland Roots merchandise before an NBA game in the 2019 playoffs.[35] Roots merchandise additionally was featured in FourFourTwo magazine in the April and August additions of 2019.[36] The Club was also treated to a performance by Oakland Hip Hop artist Mistah F.A.B before their final home game of 2019.[37] Oakland Roots were featured on Men in Blazers on November 25, 2019 when Roger Bennett wore the Roots Jersey on the show.[38] Then that night Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors wore a Roots t-shirt on the bench during a regular season NBA game.[39] Roots merchandise featured in Kehlani's video "All me" on February 13, 2020.[40] Underground rappers Murs and The Grouch performed prior to the team's March 7, 2020 match against Michigan Stars FC.[41]

The club works closely with the Oakland Community and points to this as the reason they exist.[42]

The club's two mottos are “Oakland First, Always” and “Know Your Roots."

Purpose Partners

The Club list four Purpose Partners; Soccer Without Borders Oakland, Street Soccer USA in Oakland, My Yute Soccer Camps, and Chapter 510, a made in Oakland writing center.

Common Goal

Oakland Roots Sports Club joined the Common Goal movement on June 30, 2020, as the first soccer club in the United States to do so.[43] The team pledged to donate one percent of the team's payroll and one percent of all future ticket revenue to help address social inequality.

Roots Justice Fund

The Oakland Roots Justice Fund is a charitable fund created by Oakland Roots Sports Club to support racial and gender justice. The Fund will support new and existing initiatives by the Roots and community partners in service of the Purpose of Oakland Roots - to harness the magic of Oakland the beautiful game of soccer as a tool for social good. The Fund was established thanks to donations by the Roots investor group.[44]

Supporters

The Supporters Group is known as the “Roots Radicals” in reference to a song by 90’s East Bay Punk Rock band Rancid.[45]

Project 51O
Main article: Project 51O

Oakland Roots reserve team, Project 51O, was launched on December 9, 2019.[46] Originally set to compete in the National Premier Soccer League for the 2020 season, the team only played one match, a win over Napa Valley 1839 FC, before the season was halted and eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.[47][48]

On September 17, 2020, the team announced it would compete in USL League Two beginning with the 2021 season.[49]

Sponsorship

The Roots' main sponsor is Oaklandish, a local apparel brand.

Players and staff

Current roster
No. Position Player Nation
4 Defender Max Ornstil  United States
8 Midfielder Saalih Muhammad  United States
91 Midfielder Yohannes Harish  Eritrea
— Goalkeeper Ben Beaury  United States
— Forward Jeremy Bokila  DR Congo
— Midfielder Memo Diaz  United States
— Forward Chuy Enríquez  United States
— Midfielder Wal Fall  Germany
— Midfielder José Hernández  Mexico
— Midfielder Ariel Mbumba  DR Congo
— Defender Lindo Mfeka  South Africa
— Defender Tarek Morad  United States
— Forward Johnny Rodriguez  United States
— Defender Akeem Ward  United States
— Defender Tarn Weir  United States

Technical staff
  • Dario Pot, Head Coach
  • Chris Malenab, 1st Assistant Coach
  • Nana Attakora, 2nd Assistant Coach
  • Eric Yamamoto, VP of Soccer
  • Jordan Ferrell, Technical Director

Managerial records
As of November 16, 2020
Name Nat. From To P W D L GS GA %W Honours Notes
Paul Bravo  United States May 9, 2019[50] October 31, 2019[51] 6 0 3 3 10 13 000.00
Jordan Ferrell  United States December 3, 2019[52] November 16, 2020 9 5 2 2 15 9 055.56
Dario Pot  Bosnia and Herzegovina November 16, 2020[53] 0 0 0 0 0 0 !—

Honors

Domestic

National Independent Soccer Association

  • Western Conference
    • Champion (1): 2020

Team Awards
  • Player of the Year
    • 2019: Jack McInerney
    • 2020: Matthew Fondy
  • Goal of the Year
    • 2019: Ryan Masch
    • 2020: Angel Heredia
  • Roots Righteous Award
    • 2019: Kevin Gonzalez
    • 2020: Julio Cervantes

References
  1. "Oakland Roots and their former MLS players bound for USL Championship in 2021". MLSsoccer.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. "Bay Area Soccer Roundup: 'Oakland Roots' announced, USL East Bay heads to Concord, Street Soccer USA Cup in SF, Quakes play 2 this week". blog.sfgate.com. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  3. "NPSL FOUNDERS CUP MEMBERS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR 2019 EVENT". National Premier Soccer League. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  4. "Oakland Roots Statement: League and Membership". Oakland Roots SC. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  5. Zimmerman, Douglas (19 February 2019). "Oakland sticks to its Roots with first signing, Devante Dubose". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  6. Zimmerman, Douglas (18 March 2019). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots announce players, Quakes lose, UPSL, NPSL results". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  7. Zimmerman, Douglas (25 April 2019). ""I am ready for this." Former U.S. U-20 captain Benji Joya joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  8. "Oakland Roots Sign World Cup Veteran Víctor Bernárdez". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  9. Zimmerman, Douglas (24 July 2019). "Ex-MLS star Jack McInerney joins Oakland Roots". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  10. Woitalla, Mike. "Paul Bravo takes Oakland Roots' helm to complete Bay Area homecoming". www.socceramerica.com. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  11. Zimmerman, Douglas (1 September 2019). "Oakland Roots tie first ever game 3-3". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  12. Zimmerman, Douglas (14 October 2019). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots win first ever game, College, UPSL roundup". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  13. Zimmerman, Douglas (20 October 2019). "Oakland Roots earn draw in front of another sell out crowd". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  14. "Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo Mutually Agree to Part Ways". Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  15. "Jordan Ferrell Named Head Coach for Oakland Roots S.C." Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  16. Zimmerman, Douglas (1 March 2020). "Late strike earns Oakland Roots point in season opener". SFGate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  17. Zimmerman, Douglas (8 March 2020). "Oakland Roots win first NISA league match". SF Gate. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  18. "NISA OFFICIAL UPDATE". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  19. Zimmerman, Douglas (27 April 2020). "Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots, SF City and SF Glens seasons canceled". SFGate.
  20. Zimmerman, Douglas (14 September 2020). "Late McInerney PK gives Oakland Roots tie against Cal Utd". SFGate. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  21. "2020 NISA Fall Tournament Seedings Announced". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  22. "Chattanooga FC loses in NISA fall tournament semifinals". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  23. O'Connor, Larry. "Super subs propel Detroit City FC to NISA fall championship". The Detroit News. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  24. Straus, Brian. "Oakland Roots to Make Leap From NISA to USL Championship". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  25. "Mark Hall focused on bringing USL soccer to Concord". July 24, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  26. "Local Developer Mark Hall Acquires Rights to USL Franchise for Oakland-East Bay Region of Northern California". Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  27. "Developer pitches pro soccer stadium, hotel complex for Concord". Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  28. "USL East Bay Concord stadium project dropped by owner Mark Hall". Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  29. https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1134202. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. "Oakland Roots Start Roster Build for 2021 with Local Players".
  31. https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/10/20/oakland-roots-earn-draw-in-front-of-another-sell-out-crowd/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. [(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCXSkp-CFqQ) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCXSkp-CFqQ)] Check |url= value (help). Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn827BVSuAI. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. [(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6my5GG7xQ) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6my5GG7xQ)] Check |url= value (help). Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. https://urbanpitch.com/oakland-roots/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. FourFourTwo [@FourFourTwo] (8 March 2019). "📖 NEW ISSUE 📖 💯 'The Mixer' 💯 Neymar's custom headphones, @oaklandrootssc clobber, beautiful art from @Ground_Designs and the Nike 'Black Lux' pack. This is the top-tier gear you need to get your hands on. ➡️t.co/yjr4hk9Zuv #FFTNewIssue t.co/psMrFY1vO7" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  37. https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/10/20/oakland-roots-earn-draw-in-front-of-another-sell-out-crowd/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. Oakland Roots [@oaklandrootssc] (25 November 2019). "We gotta' drop a blazer now? @MenInBlazers t.co/5291fg5Gm8" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  39. Oakland Roots [@oaklandrootssc] (25 November 2019). "Know yours. t.co/HoK7F6OUAQ t.co/s7WAQGEGhP" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxM049Rfezo
  41. https://www.facebook.com/oaklandroots/videos/632547380930494/?v=632547380930494
  42. https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/oakland-roots-draw-big-crowds-show-town-pride/Content?oid=27545466. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. Zimmerman, Douglas (30 June 2020). "Oakland Roots donates 1% of salaries to combat social injustice". SFGate. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  44. https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2020/7/30/justice-match-announcement
  45. "USL Championship Welcomes Oakland Roots for 2021 Season". OurSports Central. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020. In addition to the passion and commitment Roots have seen from local soccer fans, including supporters group Roots Radicals, the club has used its broad reach in the Oakland community to drive progress on social issues.
  46. "Oakland Roots Launch NPSL Team Project 51O". National Premier Soccer League. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  47. "Napa Valley 1839 FC Drops Home Opener 2-1 to Newcomer Project 51O". National Premier Soccer League. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  48. Prince-Wright, Joe (26 March 2020). "2020 NPSL season cancelled". ProSoccerTalk. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  49. Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (17 September 2020). "USL League Two Welcomes Project 51O For 2021 Season". USL League Two. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  50. "Oakland Roots Sign Bay Area Soccer Legend Paul Bravo as First Head Coach". www.oaklandrootssc.com. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  51. "Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo Mutually Agree to Part Ways" – Oakland Roots SC, December 30, 2019
  52. "Jordan Ferrell Named Head Coach for Oakland Roots S.C." www.oaklandrootssc.com. Oakland Roots SC. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  53. "Head Coach Jordan Ferrell Becomes Roots' Technical Director as 1st Team Assistant Coach Dario Pot Steps Up to be Head Coach". www.oaklandrootssc.com. Oakland Roots SC. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
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