Sacramento got off to a fast start when Keko Gontán picked up the loose ball and curled it in off the far post to give the home side the 1-0 lead. Sacramento continued to pour on the pressure as Oakland keeper Paul Blanchette was called upon to make a big save to keep Oakland in the match inside of the first 25 minutes. Oakland built their way back into the match with the best chance coming in the 38th minute when Rito found himself open on the back post but his shot went wide of the Sacramento goal. The half would end with the home side Sacramento in the lead 1-0.
Sacramento got anearly second half goal when Keko Gontán drove at the center of the defense and was never stopped before firing in the goal to give Republic the 2-0 lead. The home side quickly followed that up when Sebastian Herrera was fed through the line to finish 1v1 against Blanchette to give his side the 3-0 lead inside of 60 minutes. Danny Barbir pulled one back for Oakland to make it 3-1 in the 62nd minute. Coach Noah Delgado made 5 substitutions in search of an answer but Oakland were unable to find the goals needed to level the match.
Oakland Roots next play, back at home against San Diego Loyal on May 27th at Cal State University, East Bay.
Oakland Roots SC at Sacramento Republic FC
USL Championship | May 20, 2023
Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT
Weather: 76 degree, sunny
SCORELINE:
SAC: 3
OAK: 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
SAC: 11’ Keko Gontán
SAC: 51’ Keko Gontán
SAC: 54’ Sebastian Herrera
OAK: 62’ Danny Barbir
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
SAC: 42’ Paul Blanchette (yellow card)
OAK: 42’ Russell Cicerone (yellow card)
SAC: 66’ Nick Ross (yellow card)
OAK: 90’ Anuar Peláez (yellow card)
SAC: 90’ Luther Archimède (yellow card)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Tarek Morad, Neveal Hackshaw (Anuar Peláez), Danny Barbir, Bryan Tamacas, Kevin Wright (Memo Diaz), Napo Matsoso (Joseph Nane), Daniel Gomez (Johnny Rodriguez), Edgardo Rito, Darek Formella, Lindo Mfeka (Trayvone Reid)
Unused subs: Emrah Klimenta, Taylor Bailey
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC LINEUP: Danny Vitiello, Jared Timmer, Conor Donovan, Shane Wiedt, Aldair Sanchez (Damia Viader), Jack Gurr, Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Russell Cicerone (Luther Archimède), Keko Gontán (Lee Desmond), Sebastian Herrera (Panzani Ferrety Sousa)
Unused subs: Carlos Saldaña, Matt LaGrassa, Rafael Jauregui