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Matchday Report: Oakland Rebounds for Victory in Las Vegas

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 09/09/21, 12:11AM EDT

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Rodriguez’s second-half goal earns Roots SC 1-0 win, jump to sixth place in Pacific

LAS VEGAS – A second-half goal by Johnny Rodriguez lifted Oakland Roots SC to a 1-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday night at Cashman Field as the hosts twice hit the woodwork but were unable to find a way through to earn a result as Roots SC took victory on the road.

Looking to get out of the club’s recent funk, Lights FC had an early chance as Roberto Molina cut in from the right side and fired a shot to the far post that was saved by Oakland’s Taylor Bailey. Oakland also had a pair of early half-chances, including a header by Johnny Rodriguez off a corner by Lindo Mfeka from the left that was saved by Las Vegas’ Alex Rando.

Oakland had another good chance in the 16th minute as Ariel Mbumba played a ball wide to the right side and then got on the end of Jesus Enriquez’s cross but sent his header wide of the left post, while Las Vegas’ Daniel Crisostomo also had a shot from 20 yards saved by Bailey five minutes later. Lights FC went the closest of either side to take the lead in the first half, however, as Molina fired a curling shot from 25 yards that rattled the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.

Las Vegas threatened again five minutes into the second half as Cal Jennings cut in from the left but had his shot from 12 yards blocked behind for a corner kick by Memo Diaz. Eight minutes later Mbumba went close at the other end as he fired a shot just wide of the right post, but in the 63rd minute the visitors took the lead as Wal Fall intercepted a pass in the attacking third that fell perfectly for Rodriguez, who quickly fired from 20 yards for a shot that just got past Rando in the Lights FC goal.

The hosts almost hit back with 11 minutes to go as Julian Vazquez got onto the end of a cross from the right by Bruce El Mesmeri and flicked a header off the left post, while Roots SC had a chance to add an insurance goal with four minutes to go as he slipped a shot just wide of the right post. Oakland wouldn’t need another goal, though, as it saw out the remaining minutes to rebound back into the win column and move into sixth place in the Pacific Division standings.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Johnny Rodriguez, Oakland Roots SC – Rodriguez scored the decisive goal for the visitors and had four shots overall, three on target while recording three key passes and winning 4 of 5 duels.

Scoring Summary
OAK
– Johnny Rodriguez (Wal Fall) 63’

Full Box Score

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