News

With the 2022 Season fast approaching, Roots is excited to offer a new opportunity for fans to enjoy a Roots Game Day experience by introducing Field Level Seating. These Director’s Style chairs will be placed along the sideline and endline of the field. In addition to having a front row seat to all the action on the field, amenities for Field Level Seat holders will include:

• A designated parking area
• A private entrance
• A reserved seat (only reserved seating in the stadium)
• Access to a private bar with unlimited complimentary drinks, including beer + wine

2022 Field Seat Membership pricing is as follows:

• Sideline Field Level Seats – $999/seat ($55.20/game)
• Endline Field Level Seats – $925/seat ($51.38/game)

Single ticket information will be available soon. For questions or help securing your Membership please contact us at tickets@rootssc.com or call (510) 488-1144.

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots have signed Venezuela and MLS veteran defender Alejandro Fuenmayor ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. Alejandro comes to Oakland Roots after three seasons in MLS with the Houston Dynamo. While in Houston, Fuenmayor made 38 League appearances while scoring three times and helping the team lift the 2018 US Open Cup. 

 

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots have signed Venezuela and MLS veteran defender Alejandro Fuenmayor ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season. Alejandro comes to Oakland Roots after three seasons in MLS with the Houston Dynamo. While in Houston, Fuenmayor made 38 League appearances while scoring three times and helping the team lift the 2018 US Open Cup. 

 

 

“Alejandro is someone I know very well,” said Roots Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He understands how much work and sacrifice are involved in building the right culture. He has won important things and I know is hungry for much more.”

After coming through the Carabobo academy in Venezuela, Fuenmayor made his professional debut for the club at 18 years old in 2013. He would go on to make 71 league appearances for the side scoring on two occasions. While with Carabobo, Fuenmayor helped the club qualify for their first ever Copa Libertadores. In 2017 he was named Player of the Year for his team while making the league’s best XI and helping Carabobo qualify for the Copa Libertadores again.

 

 

“Alejandro is someone I know very well,” said Roots Head Coach Juan Guerra. “He understands how much work and sacrifice are involved in building the right culture. He has won important things and I know is hungry for much more.”

After coming through the Carabobo academy in Venezuela, Fuenmayor made his professional debut for the club at 18 years old in 2013. He would go on to make 71 league appearances for the side scoring on two occasions. While with Carabobo, Fuenmayor helped the club qualify for their first ever Copa Libertadores. In 2017 he was named Player of the Year for his team while making the league’s best XI and helping Carabobo qualify for the Copa Libertadores again.

 

 

Following his time in his native Venezuela, Fuenmayor moved to the United States to play in MLS for Houston Dynamo. In his first season in MLS he was named Dynamo Newcomer of the Year while helping the side lift the US Open Cup. 

Welcome to Oakland, Alejandro.

 

 

Following his time in his native Venezuela, Fuenmayor moved to the United States to play in MLS for Houston Dynamo. In his first season in MLS he was named Dynamo Newcomer of the Year while helping the side lift the US Open Cup. 

Welcome to Oakland, Alejandro.

 

 

Oakland CA. – On October 10th, Oakland Roots will host and broadcast a special “Justice Match” presented by Fremont Bank. Previously scheduled for August 29th, The Justice Match was postponed due to the Northern California wildfires and the poor air quality.

The Justice Match will feature Roots players mixed into two teams with retired local women’s professional players and local women’s soccer ambassadors both playing and coaching. The ambassador list includes former Afghanistan Women’s National Team captain Hailai Arghandiwal, Oakland street baller and Cal soccer Hall of Famer Dania Cabello as well as two former NWSL players, Sam Witteman and Taylor Comeau. The purpose of the match is to advance the discussion of gender and racial equity, and justice. The match will include a pre-match show that will feature a performance from Oakland’s own Grammy Award-winning artist Fantastic Negrito.

“Whilst we were happy to be able to return to play this Fall it’s important that we recognize the fight for equality in this country is a movement, not a moment,” said Roots Chief Purpose Officer Mike Geddes. “We are constantly seeking opportunities to use our platform to elevate conversation and action around social justice, and we saw this as an opportunity to also highlight the importance of considering intersectionality in dismantling structural inequality.” 

The match will raise funds for the new Oakland Roots Justice Fund which will support causes fighting for racial and gender equity. Fans will have the opportunity to donate to the fund and up to $5K will be matched by Fremont Bank. Fans will also be able to interact live including via an auction to win game-worn and signed Jerseys from the match. The teams will be led by Captain/Coach Dania Cabello for Team Dania and by Oakland Roots Captain Nana Attakora coaching Team Nana. 

The Justice Match will be broadcast on https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/justice-match with an official kickoff at 3:10 PM following an elongated pre-game show with musical performances, interviews, and special features. The Match will be played with the VOLTA Fair Trade Certified Soccer Ball from Senda Athletics.

 

The broadcast will include: 

• In-game interviews with social justice advocates in Oakland 

• Auctions on game-worn and signed jerseys

• Fundraiser for Justice Fund

 

About the Justice Fund: Oakland 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.

 

Oakland CA. – On October 10th, Oakland Roots will host and broadcast a special “Justice Match” presented by Fremont Bank. Previously scheduled for August 29th, The Justice Match was postponed due to the Northern California wildfires and the poor air quality.

The Justice Match will feature Roots players mixed into two teams with retired local women’s professional players and local women’s soccer ambassadors both playing and coaching. The ambassador list includes former Afghanistan Women’s National Team captain Hailai Arghandiwal, Oakland street baller and Cal soccer Hall of Famer Dania Cabello as well as two former NWSL players, Sam Witteman and Taylor Comeau. The purpose of the match is to advance the discussion of gender and racial equity, and justice. The match will include a pre-match show that will feature a performance from Oakland’s own Grammy Award-winning artist Fantastic Negrito.

“Whilst we were happy to be able to return to play this Fall it’s important that we recognize the fight for equality in this country is a movement, not a moment,” said Roots Chief Purpose Officer Mike Geddes. “We are constantly seeking opportunities to use our platform to elevate conversation and action around social justice, and we saw this as an opportunity to also highlight the importance of considering intersectionality in dismantling structural inequality.” 

The match will raise funds for the new Oakland Roots Justice Fund which will support causes fighting for racial and gender equity. Fans will have the opportunity to donate to the fund and up to $5K will be matched by Fremont Bank. Fans will also be able to interact live including via an auction to win game-worn and signed Jerseys from the match. The teams will be led by Captain/Coach Dania Cabello for Team Dania and by Oakland Roots Captain Nana Attakora coaching Team Nana. 

The Justice Match will be broadcast on https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/justice-match with an official kickoff at 3:10 PM following an elongated pre-game show with musical performances, interviews, and special features. The Match will be played with the VOLTA Fair Trade Certified Soccer Ball from Senda Athletics.

 

The broadcast will include: 

• In-game interviews with social justice advocates in Oakland 

• Auctions on game-worn and signed jerseys

• Fundraiser for Justice Fund

 

About the Justice Fund: Oakland 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.

 

Roots newly signed Head Coach, Juan Guerra, sits down and shares his thoughts, his excitement to be in The Town, and the goals for 2022.

 

 

Roots newly signed Head Coach, Juan Guerra, sits down and shares his thoughts, his excitement to be in The Town, and the goals for 2022.

 

 

Q: What made you and Oakland Roots the right fit? 

A: It’s a good fit because of the steps that the organization wants to take. It’s an organization that wants to continue to grow. They want continuous growth and development and this is something that I’m obsessed with. I’m obsessed with continuous growth and development and being in a place that wants to get better everyday. This is an organization that understands that importance, the importance of transforming and the next steps that need to be taken. Growing, developing, learning and absorbing is vital, in order to be a better coach and a better person. This is the culture we want to inject into the technical staff and the players that we want to bring in. 

 

 

Q: What made you and Oakland Roots the right fit? 

A: It’s a good fit because of the steps that the organization wants to take. It’s an organization that wants to continue to grow. They want continuous growth and development and this is something that I’m obsessed with. I’m obsessed with continuous growth and development and being in a place that wants to get better everyday. This is an organization that understands that importance, the importance of transforming and the next steps that need to be taken. Growing, developing, learning and absorbing is vital, in order to be a better coach and a better person. This is the culture we want to inject into the technical staff and the players that we want to bring in. 

 

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Q: You have been here twice as an opposing coach. What have you seen from Oakland Roots culture? What excites you the most about this opportunity? 

A: Oakland when you talk about the fan base, the supporters, the diversity that the city has, the character of their people, they are hard working and they don’t back down, they push forward, they always want to grow and improve so that drives me. That’s a motivational aspect to be able to represent something that is that important to me and it will also allow me to motivate and trigger players and staff members including myself that understand the importance of representing a city, a town that truly cares about their team. Oakland gives you that, Oakland has that special different aspect that not many teams in the USL have, and the ones that do have it you see the difference when you go to their stadium. I felt that when I came to Oakland. I felt the love, I felt the character and passion from their people and you see all that alongside the diversity of the city I think it’s a perfect storm. This is something that motivates me to understand the responsibility that we have to represent Oakland. 

 

 

Q: You have been here twice as an opposing coach. What have you seen from Oakland Roots culture? What excites you the most about this opportunity? 

A: Oakland when you talk about the fan base, the supporters, the diversity that the city has, the character of their people, they are hard working and they don’t back down, they push forward, they always want to grow and improve so that drives me. That’s a motivational aspect to be able to represent something that is that important to me and it will also allow me to motivate and trigger players and staff members including myself that understand the importance of representing a city, a town that truly cares about their team. Oakland gives you that, Oakland has that special different aspect that not many teams in the USL have, and the ones that do have it you see the difference when you go to their stadium. I felt that when I came to Oakland. I felt the love, I felt the character and passion from their people and you see all that alongside the diversity of the city I think it’s a perfect storm. This is something that motivates me to understand the responsibility that we have to represent Oakland. 

 

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Q: You have been around some top coaches whether that be Gio Savarese or Martin Rennie or last season with Rick Schantz. What are some of the things you’ve learned from those coaches? 

A: I’ve been lucky enough as a player to have some coaches that taught me so much. Not just from the playing side but from the personal side. Starting with Gio Savarese at New York Cosmos, when I was 6-7 years old I would watch him play in the stadium with my dad when he was on the National Team in Venezuela, then to him being my coach for me was incredible. We built a very good relationship. This is a guy I obviously look up to. The things I learned on and off the field. The way he reads the game, the way he approaches everyday in training sessions is key, but also how you can be a winner, you can be intense but also still be a good person. How to balance things out. Then when I retired, Martin taught me a lot too. Martin being a guy who was one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he went to Vancouver he was only 34-35 years old. He was a coach who taught me to be organized, coming up with a game plan. He was very hands on, so he was doing a lot of stuff on the field. So while I was with Martin I had to do a lot of the managing. Managing the emotions of players who aren’t playing, learning to build relationships with players. That was very important for me. It taught me a lot about the importance of building personal relationships. Then with Rick it was the other side. Rick is one of the best managers I’ve seen. The way Rick manages ownership, manages the fans, he manages the players, it’s incredible. This is a guy who really knows what he is doing while he is managing. He told me I want you to come in and help me coach this team. That’s how it was, I was executing the game plan a lot more than I was in Indy. Building game plans, creating training sessions, doing the analysis for the opposition.  So with Rick it was more of me being on the field and executing. So between those two I had both sides of the coin and at the end of the day that’s what coaching is. 

 

 

Q: You have been around some top coaches whether that be Gio Savarese or Martin Rennie or last season with Rick Schantz. What are some of the things you’ve learned from those coaches? 

A: I’ve been lucky enough as a player to have some coaches that taught me so much. Not just from the playing side but from the personal side. Starting with Gio Savarese at New York Cosmos, when I was 6-7 years old I would watch him play in the stadium with my dad when he was on the National Team in Venezuela, then to him being my coach for me was incredible. We built a very good relationship. This is a guy I obviously look up to. The things I learned on and off the field. The way he reads the game, the way he approaches everyday in training sessions is key, but also how you can be a winner, you can be intense but also still be a good person. How to balance things out. Then when I retired, Martin taught me a lot too. Martin being a guy who was one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he went to Vancouver he was only 34-35 years old. He was a coach who taught me to be organized, coming up with a game plan. He was very hands on, so he was doing a lot of stuff on the field. So while I was with Martin I had to do a lot of the managing. Managing the emotions of players who aren’t playing, learning to build relationships with players. That was very important for me. It taught me a lot about the importance of building personal relationships. Then with Rick it was the other side. Rick is one of the best managers I’ve seen. The way Rick manages ownership, manages the fans, he manages the players, it’s incredible. This is a guy who really knows what he is doing while he is managing. He told me I want you to come in and help me coach this team. That’s how it was, I was executing the game plan a lot more than I was in Indy. Building game plans, creating training sessions, doing the analysis for the opposition.  So with Rick it was more of me being on the field and executing. So between those two I had both sides of the coin and at the end of the day that’s what coaching is. 

 

---

 

Q: Do you have a message to the fans and the supporters? 

A: To the supporters I would say, how important of a role they play in what we want to build. They are a key piece in what we have to build. They play a key role in my project and the project we are building as an organization. I just want them to know and understand the respect I have for them that I have for The Town, and the hope is that they can feel very proud of the team we are going to be assembling. The goal is to resemble and represent the character this town and city have.

 

 

Q: Do you have a message to the fans and the supporters? 

A: To the supporters I would say, how important of a role they play in what we want to build. They are a key piece in what we have to build. They play a key role in my project and the project we are building as an organization. I just want them to know and understand the respect I have for them that I have for The Town, and the hope is that they can feel very proud of the team we are going to be assembling. The goal is to resemble and represent the character this town and city have.

 

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots have appointed Juan Guerra as the Club’s new Head Coach to lead the team into the 2022 USL Championship season and beyond. Guerra was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and has extensive experience with North American soccer, having played or coached in the USL and NASL for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, New York Cosmos, Indy Eleven and Phoenix Rising.

 

 

Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots have appointed Juan Guerra as the Club’s new Head Coach to lead the team into the 2022 USL Championship season and beyond. Guerra was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and has extensive experience with North American soccer, having played or coached in the USL and NASL for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, New York Cosmos, Indy Eleven and Phoenix Rising.

 

 

“Oakland when you talk about the fan base, the supporters, the diversity that the city has, the character of their people, they are hard working and they don't back down, they push forward, they always want to grow and improve so that drives me.” said Guerra. “The opportunity to build something special and different in Oakland is one I wanted to be a part of. The goal is to make this organization one of the top organizations in North America and work together with the players, the staff, the fans and the community to reach that common goal.”

After first playing in the United States with Florida International University, Guerra returned to his home country to play professionally in the Venezuelan top division with Monagas, Carabobo, Deportivo Lara and Caracas – including a brief loan spell in Spain with Las Palmas. During this time he also earned six national caps for Venezuela.

 

 

“Oakland when you talk about the fan base, the supporters, the diversity that the city has, the character of their people, they are hard working and they don’t back down, they push forward, they always want to grow and improve so that drives me.” said Guerra. “The opportunity to build something special and different in Oakland is one I wanted to be a part of. The goal is to make this organization one of the top organizations in North America and work together with the players, the staff, the fans and the community to reach that common goal.”

After first playing in the United States with Florida International University, Guerra returned to his home country to play professionally in the Venezuelan top division with Monagas, Carabobo, Deportivo Lara and Caracas – including a brief loan spell in Spain with Las Palmas. During this time he also earned six national caps for Venezuela.

 

 

Guerra returned to the United States to play with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for two seasons before joining the New York Cosmos under fellow Venezuelan Head Coach Gio Savarese. His final year on the field was in the USL for Indy Eleven, who also gave him his first coaching opportunity under Martin Rennie. Most recently Guerra worked alongside Rick Schantz at Phoenix Rising for the 2021 USL Championship season.  

“We are incredibly excited to bring Juan to Oakland,” said Roots VP of Soccer Eric Yamamoto. “He has a deep knowledge of this league having played and coached in both the East and West and we can’t wait to get started in 2022 with Juan at the helm.” 

 

 

Guerra returned to the United States to play with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for two seasons before joining the New York Cosmos under fellow Venezuelan Head Coach Gio Savarese. His final year on the field was in the USL for Indy Eleven, who also gave him his first coaching opportunity under Martin Rennie. Most recently Guerra worked alongside Rick Schantz at Phoenix Rising for the 2021 USL Championship season.  

“We are incredibly excited to bring Juan to Oakland,” said Roots VP of Soccer Eric Yamamoto. “He has a deep knowledge of this league having played and coached in both the East and West and we can’t wait to get started in 2022 with Juan at the helm.” 

 

 

“We had many ups and downs in 2021 but we are ending the year on an incredible high,” said Roots Chair Steven Aldrich. “Our new coach will lead us into 2022 and help us build the foundation for an even brighter future at Oakland Roots. Juan brings a supreme understanding of the USL and excitement for the Roots' purpose on and off the field.”  

Welcome to the family, Juan.

 

 

“We had many ups and downs in 2021 but we are ending the year on an incredible high,” said Roots Chair Steven Aldrich. “Our new coach will lead us into 2022 and help us build the foundation for an even brighter future at Oakland Roots. Juan brings a supreme understanding of the USL and excitement for the Roots’ purpose on and off the field.”  

Welcome to the family, Juan.

 

 

Oakland Roots and TV Partner KOFY TV 20 will host a special leading into the New Year. Starting at 8:30 PM on December 31st, fans can relive the season on and off the field as Episodes 1-7 of the “Know Your Roots” show will run in a marathon into midnight. There is no better way to celebrate what was 2021 than with Oakland Roots, remembering all the highs and lows of a memorable first season in the USL Championship. 

Oakland Roots fans can purchase their 2022 season membership now to make sure they are in Laney to see all the returning players and some new faces as Oakland pushes for another postseason run.

 

 

Oakland Roots and TV Partner KOFY TV 20 will host a special leading into the New Year. Starting at 8:30 PM on December 31st, fans can relive the season on and off the field as Episodes 1-7 of the “Know Your Roots” show will run in a marathon into midnight. There is no better way to celebrate what was 2021 than with Oakland Roots, remembering all the highs and lows of a memorable first season in the USL Championship. 

Oakland Roots fans can purchase their 2022 season membership now to make sure they are in Laney to see all the returning players and some new faces as Oakland pushes for another postseason run.