Oakland Roots played host to Tacoma Defiance Wednesday night for their second to last game at their alternate venue at Las Positas College in Livermore, California. Having split their first two meetings, with the most recent being a 3-1 win in late August, the game had major playoff indications with Tacoma holding the last playoff spot and Roots only being 6 points behind them. Roots got on the scorecard early with a goal from Lindo Mfeka in the 10th minute, his first of the season. From there they controlled possession for the majority of the half until Tacoma’s Ray Serrano netted the equalizer in the 32nd minute. With the game again level, the offense pushed again more into the attacking third and Wal Fall scored his fourth goal of the season off a beautiful ball from Mfeka in the 40th to put Roots back up going into the half. The squad got off to a hot start in the second half with Lindo Mfeka scoring his second goal in the 52nd minute. Roots continued to press Tacoma, constantly finding themselves in the attacking third for the rest of the game. Mfeka nearly had a hat trick with an attempt that went wide. With 20 minutes left in the game, Head Coach Jordan Ferrell made some defensive moves to ensure the win, bringing in Tarn Weir and Max Ornstil for Mfeka and Mbumba to close out the game. Roots are now sitting in fifth place and only three points back from the fourth playoff spot. They host LA Galaxy II this Saturday, 9/18 for Climate Night at Laney College. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3Aa5ZZ2