GAME HIGHLIGHTS 3.26.22 | Oakland Roots SC vs. Monterey Bay F.C.

On a chilly Saturday night at Laney College, the Roots lost to its new Norcal rival, Monterey Bay F.C., 3-2. It was the Roots’ first home game of the season after dropping its first two road matches. Monterey struck first in the 8th minute when striker Seku Conneh held the ball up well in the Roots box and teed it up to Chase Boone who buried the finish. Oakland recovered well though, resilient in defense and creating a couple excellent opportunities from set pieces. Shortly before halftime, Ottar Magnus Karlsson won a penalty just inside the Monterey box. The Icelandic, on loan from Serie A side Venezia, did a cheeky stutter step before dispatching the penalty with gusto and the first half ended a goal apiece. Just four minutes after the start of the second half the Roots broke the deadlock. A long ball out to wideman Edgardo Rito caught Monterey out and the Venezuelan found Karlsson at the near post with a well-placed pass. Karlsson, for his second of the game, swept the ball neatly into the corner. Roots 2, Monterey 1. Monterey equalized in the 68th minute from a corner; it was Boone again on the scoresheet who stabbed home a loose ball in the box. The next twenty minutes saw both teams seek a winner as the game swung from one half to the other, though Oakland had the better chances. In the 90’ minute Monterey found the winner on a freekick that was headed back across the goal from the far post. Center back Hugh Roberts nodded it home, dealing the Roots its third consecutive loss of the season.