GAME HIGHLIGHTS 4.13.22 | Oakland Roots SC vs. San Diego Loyal

It was a chilly evening at Laney College but the fans were out in the thousands on Wednesday $1 Beer Night to watch their Roots take on the Landon Donovan-coached San Diego Loyal. The first half was a tight contest as both sides were locked in battle and neither could find the net. Just seven minutes into the second half, the Roots were caught in their own box with the ball and the Loyal pounced instantly to score the game’s opening goal. Things took a turn for the worse in the 64th minute when Tarek Morad brought down a counter-attacking Loyal forward. He was sent off for his second yellow card offense and the Roots were reduced to ten men for the remainder of the match. The Roots fought hard and finally found a breakthrough in the 86’ through Juan Azocar. Edgardo Rito won a 50/50 ball and played it out to Lindo Mfeka who swung in a cross to Azocar who buried his chance with authority. The Loyal scored off a late corner and seemed to have secured the three points, but in the last minute of stoppage time, Roots center back Emrah Klimenta fired in a cross that found the head of Ottar Magnus Karlsson who beat the keeper from point blank range. Roots 2, Loyal 2. His header was the last action of the game. The Roots continue their homestand when they face off against Loudon United this Saturday night.