Sac Republic best Oakland Roots 1-0 in NorCal derby

Photography by Katherine Tato

USL Championship's Sacramento Republic took home three much-needed points Sunday, May 4, after a 1-0 win against norcal rivals Oakland Roots. Sporting a healthy block of red-shirted supporters amongst the 10,000+ in attendance, Sac and Roots fans alike were treated to performances from YOYOKA, P-Lo, and filipino dancers for AAPI Heritage Night.

Both teams had good reason to fight for a win, with the Roots having yet to score in their new digs at the Oakland Coliseum, and Sac Republic sitting bottom of the Western Conference table. In a high-tempo game with plenty of back-and-forth, the Roots slightly edged out Sac in ball possession and passing, but perhaps the most notable omission was Oakland's inability to capitalize on big chances in the 18. Optimistic runs from Roots' target man Peter Wilson and tireless attacks on the dribble from winger Wolfgang Prentice failed to materialize into a goal, further posing the question of whether Oakland have (or need) players with "the clutch gene."

Scoreless at half-time, Sacramento were awarded a penalty just one minute into the second half after Jack Gurr was chopped down by Roots' midfielder Baboucarr Njie. Sac's Russell Cicerone easily finished the penalty past MLS veteran keeper Kendall McIntosh.

The loss snaps Oakland's two league-game winning streak (their record is three) and comes off recent losses in both the Open Cup and the USL Jägermeister Cup. Roots' manager Gavin Glinton and captain Tyler Gibson nonetheless struck an optimistic tone and praised the team's effort.

"In terms of the game plan and our ability to circulate the ball, press and stay in their end, I was really happy with what we were able to do in the first 45 minutes," said Glinton. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to reward that with a goal but we talked about staying locked in and continuing to do the job."

Gibson added that they were "obviously frustrated by the result, but this was a different performance from the team ... I'm very proud of how everybody fought. We didn't feel like they [Sac Republic] had much of anything. They got a penalty which, in my mind, I don't believe was a penalty but that happens. But overall I feel like we're moving in the right direction."

With plenty of season left ahead, both teams have their work cut out of for them, Sac playing three games in seven days, including a U.S. Open Cup match against San Jose Earthquakes on May 7, and the Roots facing powerhouse San Antonio FC on the road May 10.