Roots Back in The Town for Rivalry Matchup Versus Monterey Bay FC

After back-to-back games away from home, Roots return to the Oakland Coliseum this Saturday, August 15th for a 7 PM PT rivalry matchup versus Pacific Coast foes Monterey Bay FC.

While it has been a tough stretch of the season for Oakland, having gone winless in their last six regular season matches and entering Saturday’s contest on a 339-minute scoring drought, the matchup versus Monterey Bay could be an advantageous one.

Monterey enters the matchup having lost six consecutive matches, sitting in last place in the western conference with a 4-3-13 (W-D-L) record in 2026.

Oakland’s scoring block has every opportunity to come to an end on Saturday as Monterey Bay has conceded 36 goals in 2026, the second-most in the USL Championship this season behind only Sporting JAX’s 51.

While the match is not yet a mathematical must-win for Oakland as their playoff push looms, the rivalry fixture has an air of importance surrounding it as Roots look to capitalize on their remaining matches versus teams below them in the standings.

The match also holds local importance as it will be both clubs’ third appearance in the 2026 NorCal Hella Cup, an unofficial mid-season tournament created by supporters of Oakland Roots SC, Monterey Bay FC, and Sacramento Republic FC with the regular season matches between the three teams deciding which group will hold the Hella Cup during the offseason.

Following the match, Roots will head back out on the road for a league match at San Antonio FC at 6 PM PT on Saturday, August 22.