Even with everything surrounding it – the escalating number of advance ticket sales, and the official announcement of a sellout five hours before kickoff – everyone was still waiting in anticipation as to how Oakland Roots SC’s inaugural game at the historic Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum was going to feel.

In the end, it likely surpassed everyone’s expectations.

“What an amazing atmosphere,” said Roots Head Coach Gavin Glinton. “I mean, I think it exceeded the expectations. I don’t think anybody could have expected it to be like this. You know, our crowd, and we’ve talked about it, is the best in the world. And tonight, they came out and really showed it, you know?”

The crowd of 26,575 – a number capped by the club “to ensure the best possible experience for our fans,” per Roots President Lindsey Barenz – more than quadrupled the club’s previous attendance mark and ranked in the Top 10 in the USL Championship’s regular season history.

• SHOOTING HIGH: Due to the cap, Roots wasn’t able to surpass the Championship’s all-time regular season record of 31,478 set by FC Cincinnati in 2018 . At the same time the club’s crowd was the largest welcomed by an active USL Championship club, passing Sacramento Republic FC’s 20,341 attendance in its return to Hughes Stadium in 2023, and was only surpassed by the Seattle Sounders (31,293) and Charlotte FC (27,463) in MLS’s weekend slate.

• HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: The fans were treated to one of the best goals in Roots’ history as Justin Rasmussen fired home a bicycle kick in the seventh minute, bringing the stadium to its feet in celebration.

• LATE LETDOWN: San Antonio FC, however, spoiled the party. A goal by Luke Haakenson with just over 20 minutes to go put the visitors ahead, and while Roots pushed for an equalizer late, they came up short in a 2-1 defeat.

Figuring out the on-field part is going to be the next test for Roots and Glinton. The defeat was Oakland’s third in a row to start the season, putting it as the only team in the Western Conference yet to earn a point this campaign.

“Getting us to be a little bit braver in moments before we go down and get the shackles off is something we’ve talked about and continue to work on,” said Glinton. “Obviously, we’re still integrating quite a few guys into the group, and so, you know, it’s a process. I thought we worked really hard today. I thought the guys embraced the moment, but we’ve got to get more quality out of our moments with the ball.”

Result aside, however, Saturday night was a celebration of a club that has built itself from the ground up as unapologetically from the place it represents.

From Roots’ origin as a purpose-driven organization, it’s provided the antidote for sports fans in a city with a rich sporting history – one which the club paid tribute to with its remembrance of native son Rickey Henderson as the clock turned to 24:00 in the first half – that has seen other organizations depart for other venues.

On the first day of the club’s new era, the way it made you feel meant more than anything else.

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This is an excerpt from The Rondo, the USL Championship's twice weekly free newsletter. Sign up to have it delivered to your inbox at www.uslchampionship.com/newsletter.