View source for Oakland Roots SC

{{Short description|American professional soccer team}}
{{shortlead|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox football club
| nickname = 
| stadium = [[Pioneer Stadium]]
| capacity = 5,000
| clubname = Oakland Roots
| fullname = Oakland Roots Sports Club
| image = Oakland_Roots_SC_logo.svg
| upright = 0.8
| founded = {{start date and age|July 2018}}
| owner = {{Collapsible list|[[Marshawn Lynch]]<br />[[Billie Joe Armstrong]]<br />[[G-Eazy]]<br />[[Jason Kidd]]<br />[[Sway Calloway]]<br/> [https://localwiki.org/oakland/Jwalt Jwalt] <br/>[[Ruthie Bolton]]<br />[[Alexis Gray-Lawson]]<br />[[Antonio Davis]]<br />[[Tyson Ross]]<br />[[Calen Carr]]<br />[[Josh Johnson (quarterback)|Josh Johnson]]<br />[[Gary Payton II]]<br />[[Keak da Sneak]]<br>Community ownership<ref name="comm">{{Cite web |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2023/09/13/oakland-roots-and-soul-sports-club-community-investment-round-now-open/ |title=Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club Community Investment Round Now Open |language=en-US |publisher=Oakland Roots SC |date=2023-09-13 |accessdate=2023-11-29}}</ref>}}
| chrtitle = President
| chairman = Lindsay Barenz 
| mgrtitle = Interim Head coach
| manager = [[Gavin Glinton]]
| league = [[USL Championship]]
| season = [[2023 USL Championship season|2023]]
| position = 10th, Western Conference<br /> Playoffs: DNQ
| website = https://oaklandrootssc.com/
| pattern_la1 = 
| pattern_b1 = _oaklandrootsl24h
| pattern_ra1 = 
| pattern_sh1 = 
| pattern_so1 = 
| leftarm1 = 000
| body1 = 000
| rightarm1 = 000
| shorts1 = 000
| socks1 = 000
| pattern_la2 = 
| pattern_b2 = _oaklandrootsl24a
| pattern_ra2 = 
| pattern_sh2 = 
| pattern_so2 = 
| leftarm2 = e6e7e2
| body2 = e6e7e2
| rightarm2 = e6e7e2
| shorts2 = FFFFFF
| socks2 = e6e7e2
| current = 2024 Oakland Roots SC season
| American = yes
}}
'''Oakland Roots Sports Club''' is an American professional [[Association football|soccer]] team based in [[Oakland, California]]. The club was
formed in 2018 by a group of Oakland natives, and began play in the [[National Independent Soccer Association]] in the fall of 2019. In 2021, the club joined the second division [[USL Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Oakland Roots and their former MLS players bound for USL Championship in 2021 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/09/15/oakland-roots-and-their-former-mls-players-bound-usl-championship-2021 |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=16 September 2020 |date=15 September 2020}}</ref>

==History==
The club was formed in July 2018, and would be known as Oakland Roots Sports Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2018/07/24/bay-area-soccer-roundup-oakland-roots-announces-name-staff-usl-2-east-bay-focuses-on-concord-quakes-play-2-games-this-week/|title=Bay Area Soccer Roundup: 'Oakland Roots' announced, USL East Bay heads to Concord, Street Soccer USA Cup in SF, Quakes play 2 this week|website=blog.sfgate.com|date=24 July 2018|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> The club originally was slated to play in the [[NPSL Founders Cup]], but the club ultimately withdrew and instead joined the [[National Independent Soccer Association]], a [[United States soccer league system|Division III sanctioned]] [[United States Soccer Federation]] professional league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npsl.com/news/9946|title=NPSL FOUNDERS CUP MEMBERS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR 2019 EVENT|publisher=[[National Premier Soccer League]]|date=11 February 2019|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/leagueandmembership|title=Oakland Roots Statement: League and Membership|publisher=Oakland Roots SC|date=27 June 2019|access-date=27 June 2019|archive-date=27 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627204417/https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/leagueandmembership|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Oakland Roots began by signing three Oakland-raised players in the spring of 2019: [[Devante Dubose]], Julio Cervantes and Yohannes Harish.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Oakland sticks to its Roots with first signing, Devante Dubose |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/02/19/oakland-sticks-to-its-roots-with-first-signing-devante-dubose-oakland-roots-npsl/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots announce players, Quakes lose, UPSL, NPSL results |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/03/18/bay-area-soccer-oakland-roots-announce-players-quakes-lose-again-upsl-npsl-results/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=18 March 2019}}</ref> This was followed by the signing of several higher-profile players as the club built out its inaugural rosters. Those players included former San Jose native and MLS player [[Benji Joya]], former Honduran World Cup veteran and [[San Jose Earthquakes|San Jose Earthquake]] [[Victor Bernardez]], and former first-round MLS draft pick [[Jack McInerney]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title="I am ready for this." Former U.S. U-20 captain Benji Joya joins Oakland Roots |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/04/25/i-am-ready-for-this-former-u-s-u-20-captain-benji-joya-joins-oakland-roots/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Oakland Roots Sign World Cup Veteran Víctor Bernárdez |url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/victorbernardez |website=Oakland Roots SC |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627204425/https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/victorbernardez |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Ex-MLS star Jack McInerney joins Oakland Roots |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/07/24/ex-mls-star-jack-mcinerney-joins-oakland-roots/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=24 July 2019}}</ref>

The club announced Bay Area native and former [[MLS]] player and [[Colorado Rapids]] technical director [[Paul Bravo]] as its first head coach on May 9, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woitalla |first1=Mike |title=Paul Bravo takes Oakland Roots' helm to complete Bay Area homecoming |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/82233/paul-bravo-takes-oakland-roots-helm-to-complete-b.html |website=www.socceramerica.com |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=28 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===National Independent Soccer Association===
The club opened the inaugural [[2019–20 NISA season]] as the league's first game, at home in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 4,500. McInerney would score a first-half perfect [[hat-trick]] in a match that would eventually end up in a 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Oakland Roots tie first ever game 3–3 |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/09/01/oakland-roots-tie-first-ever-game-3-3/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=1 September 2019}}</ref>

Oakland Roots played eight games in their inaugural season: six in NISA and two friendlies against Mexican clubs [[FC Juarez]] and [[Atlético Zacatepec]]. The club picked up their first win at home against Atlético Zacatepec by a score of 2–0.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots win first ever game, College, UPSL roundup |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/10/14/bay-area-soccer-oakland-roots-win-first-ever-game-college-upsl-roundup/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=14 October 2019}}</ref>

Oakland Roots sold out all four of their home games in the 2019 fall season averaging 4,927 fans, including a record 5,723 in their final home game, a 1–1 draw vs [[Los Angeles Force]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Oakland Roots earn draw in front of another sell out crowd |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/10/20/oakland-roots-earn-draw-in-front-of-another-sell-out-crowd/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=20 October 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Oakland Roots SC Historic League Performance.png|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Historical chart of the Roots' regular season performance]]

On October 31, 2019, Oakland Roots and Bravo mutually agreed to part ways.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo Mutually Agree to Part Ways |url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2019/10/31/oakland-roots-and-paul-bravo-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |website=Oakland Roots SC |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031194319/https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2019/10/31/oakland-roots-and-paul-bravo-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |url-status=dead }}</ref> On December 3, 2019, Oakland Roots announced [[Jordan Ferrell]] as the club's new head coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jordan Ferrell Named Head Coach for Oakland Roots S.C. |url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/jordanferrell |website=Oakland Roots SC |access-date=28 April 2020}}</ref>

The Roots opened their second season at home once again in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,603. The match against [[Chattanooga FC]] would end in a 1–1 draw when McInerney scored in the 93rd minute of the match after the Roots were forced to play a man down from a first-half red card.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Late strike earns Oakland Roots point in season opener |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/02/29/late-strike-earns-oakland-roots-point-in-season-opener/ |website=SFGate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> The Roots followed this up by winning their first-ever NISA league match the following weekend vs [[Michigan Stars FC]] 2–1.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Oakland Roots win first NISA league match |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/03/07/oakland-roots-win-first-ever-nisa-match-michigan-stars/ |website=SF Gate |access-date=28 April 2020 |date=8 March 2020}}</ref>

On April 27, 2020, following an extended stoppage of play due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 spring season.<ref name="Cancel">{{cite web|title=NISA OFFICIAL UPDATE |url=https://www.nisasoccer.com/news/2020/04/27/nisa-official-update |website=nisaofficial.com |publisher=National Independent Soccer Association |access-date=28 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Bay Area Soccer: Oakland Roots, SF City and SF Glens seasons canceled |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/04/27/bay-area-soccer-oakland-roots-sf-city-and-sf-glens-seasons-canceled/ |website=SFGate |date=27 April 2020}}</ref>

In the abridged [[2020–21 NISA season#Fall season|2020 fall regular season]], Oakland finished first in the three team Western Conference, with [[Matthew Fondy]] leading the team with two goals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Late McInerney PK gives Oakland Roots tie against Cal Utd |url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/09/13/late-mcinerney-pk-gives-oakland-roots-tie-against-cal-utd/ |website=SFGate |access-date=4 October 2020 |date=14 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2020 NISA Fall Tournament Seedings Announced |url=https://www.nisaofficial.com/news/2020/09/18/2020-nisa-fall-tournament-seedings-announced |website=www.nisaofficial.com |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> The Roots finished atop its group in the NISA Fall Championship, and beat [[Chattanooga FC]] in the national semifinal, before falling to [[Detroit City FC]], 2–1, in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chattanooga FC loses in NISA fall tournament semifinals |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/professional/story/2020/sep/30/chattanoogfc-loses-nisfall-tournament-semifin/533257/ |website=timesfreepress.com |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Larry |title=Super subs propel Detroit City FC to NISA fall championship |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/soccer/2020/10/02/super-subs-propel-detroit-city-fc-nisa-fall-championship/3598734001/ |website=The Detroit News |access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref>

===USL Championship===
On September 15, 2020, the team announced they would be moving from the third-division NISA to the second-division [[USL Championship]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Straus |first1=Brian |title=Oakland Roots to Make Leap From NISA to USL Championship |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/09/15/oakland-roots-usl-championship-nisa |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=29 September 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref>

Initially, in 2017, the [[United Soccer League|USL]] approved a bid from real estate developer Mark Hall to bring a soccer team to [[Concord, California]], instead of Oakland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/mark-hall-focused-on-bringing-usl-soccer-to-concord/|title=Mark Hall focused on bringing USL soccer to Concord|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usl2eastbay.com/news_article/show/846419 |title=Local Developer Mark Hall Acquires Rights to USL Franchise for Oakland-East Bay Region of Northern California |access-date=October 19, 2017}}</ref> The team, called '''USL East Bay''', planned to play in [[East Bay Stadium|a 15,000+ seat soccer-specific stadium complex]] before the development idea was scrapped in May 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/01/26/developer-pitches-soccer-stadium-hotel-complex-for-concord/ |title=Developer pitches pro soccer stadium, hotel complex for Concord |access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/USL-East-Bay-Concord-stadium-project-dropped-15270248.php/|title= USL East Bay Concord stadium project dropped by owner Mark Hall|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> The team's territorial rights were later sold to the Roots.

In November 2020, Oakland Roots announced the signing of Oakland born, Richmond, California raised midfielder [[Saalih Muhammad]] via a transfer from [[New Mexico United]] as the club's first USL Championship player.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 24, 2020|title=DEAR OAKLAND, LOVE SAALIH|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1134202}}</ref> This was followed by the early December signings of Oakland raised [[Max Ornstil]] and re-signings of [[Yohannes Harish]] and Tarn Weir, as well as many others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2020/12/11/oakland-roots-start-roster-build-for-2021-with-local-players/|title= Oakland Roots Start Roster Build for 2021 with Local Players}}</ref>

In April 2021, [[Marshawn Lynch]] joined the Roots ownership group.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Ex-NFL star Lynch joins soccer ownership ranks|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31269669/former-nfl-star-marshawn-lynch-joins-ownership-group-usl-oakland-roots|access-date=2021-04-16|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref>

Oakland Roots picked up their first USL Championship win on May 23 at [[LA Galaxy II]] when striker Jeremy Bokila scored in stoppage time to give Oakland the 3–2 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagconfidential.com/2021/5/24/22452132/la-galaxy-ii-lose-3-2-oakland-roots|title = LA Galaxy II falter in stoppage time, lose 3–2 to Oakland Roots|date = 24 May 2021}}</ref> The team was set to kick off the USL Championship home season on June 19 against [[Sacramento Republic FC]], but the match was called off due to field issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2021/6/19/22541834/sacramento-republic-game-at-oakland-roots-postponed-due-to-playing-surface|title = Sac Republic's game at Oakland Roots postponed due to playing surface|date = 19 June 2021}}</ref> This was then followed by multiple games being called off due to USL health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 Pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbayarea.com/2021/07/14/covid-outbreak-forces-oakland-roots-to-postpone-next-two-games/|title = COVID outbreak forces Oakland Roots to postpone next two games|date = 14 July 2021}}</ref>

The team went on to play multiple games at [[Las Positas College]] before finishing the season back home at Laney. The club had just one win through their first 13 games. The club placed dead last in the USL Power Rankings  in August.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1178242|title=USL Championship Power Rankings – Week 16|date=11 August 2021}}</ref>

The team initiated a massive turnaround with a 2-1 victory at Merritt College, propelled by goals from Ornstil and Harish. Following this triumph, Oakland proceeded to secure 34 points in 19 games, ultimately earning the final Pacific Division playoff position on the last day of the season after a 1-0 win against  [[Sporting Kansas City II]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1192562|title = Oakland Roots Face el Paso Locomotive in Club's First-Ever Playoff Game|date = 4 November 2021}}</ref>

Oakland upset the Mountain Division Champions [[El Paso Locomotive]] in the first round of the playoffs, breaking a 470-day home unbeaten run by the Texas side. The Roots’ playoff run came to an end the following weekend when the team lost 6–5 on penalties against [[Orange County SC]] after 120 minutes of scoreless action.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestrikertexas.com/2021/11/05/oakland-roots-upsets-el-paso-locomotive-fc-in-playoff-match|title=The Striker Texas}}</ref>

On December 21, 2021, the Roots announced they were leasing the former [[Oakland Raiders]] practice facility in [[Alameda, California]] as their training facility.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SC|first=Oakland Roots|date=2021-12-21|title=Oakland Roots to Call Former Oakland Raiders Training Facility Home for 2022|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1199777-oakland-roots-to-call-former-oakland-raiders-training-facility-home-for-2022|access-date=2021-12-21|website=Oakland Roots SC|language=en-us}}</ref>

On December 30, 2021, the Roots announced [[Juan Guerra (footballer, born 1987)|Juan Guerra]] as the club's fourth head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1200713|title = Oakland Roots Announce Juan Guerra as the Club's New Head Coach|date = 30 December 2021|access-date = 30 December 2021|archive-date = 30 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211230181734/https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1200713|url-status = dead}}</ref>

On October 23, 2022, the Roots upset San Diego Loyal 3–0 in the first round of the playoffs. This punched their ticket to play San Antonio, where they lost 3–0. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats?gameId=654701|title=ESPN}}</ref>

On September 18, 2023, the team announced that [[Green Day]] singer [[Billie Joe Armstrong]] joined the ownership group for the Roots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Joins Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club's Community Investment Round |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2023/09/18/green-days-billie-joe-armstrong-joins-oakland-roots-and-soul-sports-clubs-community-investment-round/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Oakland Roots SC |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, the team opened for community investment and ownership that month.<ref name="comm" />

On October 26, 2023, the team announced that NBA Head Coach [[Jason Kidd]] joined the ownership group for the Roots.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/?post_type=sec_news&p=11091|access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Oakland Roots SC |language=en-US |title=NBA Champion Jason Kidd Joins Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club's Ownership Group }}</ref>

==Record==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Overview of Oakland Roots SC seasons
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |Season
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |League
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|Div.|Division}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|Pos.|Position}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|P|Games played}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|W|Wins}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|D|Draws}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|L|Losses}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|GS|Goals Scored}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|GA|Goals Against}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|Pts.|Points}}
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |Playoffs
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |[[U.S. Open Cup]]
! scope="colgroup" colspan="2" |Top goalscorer
! scope="col" rowspan="2" |Manager
|-
! scope="col" |Name
! scope="col" |League
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[2019–20 Oakland Roots SC season|2019–20]]
| rowspan="3"|[[National Independent Soccer Association|NISA]]
|scope="row"| [[2019–20 NISA season#Fall season|Fall, West Coast]]{{efn|The Fall 2019 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, East Coast and West Coast}}
| '''4th'''
| 6
| 0
| 3
| 3
| 10
| 13
| '''3'''
| ''Did not qualify''
| rowspan="4" |[[2020 U.S. Open Cup|''Cancelled'']]
| rowspan="2" align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack McInerney]]
| rowspan="2"|8
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Bravo]]
|-
|scope="row"|[[2019–20 NISA season#Spring season|Spring]]{{efn|Spring season cancelled before completion}}
| '''1st'''
| 2
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 3
| 2
| '''4'''
|''Cancelled''
|  rowspan="3" |{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jordan Ferrell]]
|-
|[[2020–21 Oakland Roots SC season|2020–21]]
|scope="row"| [[2020–21 NISA season#Fall season|Fall, Western]]{{efn|The Fall 2020 NISA season had eight teams split into two separate conferences, Eastern and Western}}
| bgcolor=#CCCCFC|'''1st'''
| 2
| 1
| 1
| 0
| 3
| 1
| '''4'''
| [[2020–21 NISA season#Playoffs|Runner-up]]
| rowspan="1" align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Matthew Fondy]]
| rowspan="1"|2
|-
|scope="row"| [[2021 Oakland Roots SC season|2021]]
| rowspan="3" | [[USL Championship]]
| Pacific Division
| 4th
| 32
| 11
| 8
| 13
| 36
| 41
| 41
| [[2021 USL Championship Playoffs#Schedule|Conf. Semi-Finals]]
|rowspan="1" align=left| {{flagicon|DRC}} [[Jeremy Bokila]]
|rowspan="1"|5
|-
|scope="row"| [[2022 Oakland Roots SC season|2022]]
| Western Conference
| 7th
| 34
| 11
| 13
| 10
| 51
| 46
| 46
| [[2022 USL Championship Playoffs#Schedule|Conf. Semi-Finals]]
|rowspan="1"| [[2022 U.S. Open Cup|R2]]
| {{flagicon|ISL}} [[Óttar Magnús Karlsson]]
| 19
| {{flagicon|VEN}} [[Juan Guerra (footballer, born 1987)|Juan Guerra]] (6–12–7)<br />{{flagicon|PUR}} [[Noah Delgado]] (5–1–3)
|-
|scope="row"| [[2023 Oakland Roots SC season|2023]]
| Western Conference
| 10th
| 34
| 11
| 9
| 14
| 45
| 48
| 42
| ''Did not qualify''
| [[2023 U.S. Open Cup|R3]]
| align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny Rodriguez (soccer)|Johnny Rodriguez]]
| 12
| {{flagicon|PUR}} [[Noah Delgado]]
|}
{{notelist}}

==Stadium==
Roots home matches were played at [[Laney College Football Stadium]], a multi-purpose stadium located near Lake Merritt, from their inauguration through the 2022 season. For Roots games the pitch was widened using a modular turf system. The stadium had room for 3,500 seated and up to 5,500+ with standing room.<ref name="Zimmerman">{{cite web|last=Zimmerman|first=Douglas|date=October 20, 2019|title=Oakland Roots earn draw in front of another sell out crowd|url=https://blog.sfgate.com/soccer/2019/10/20/oakland-roots-earn-draw-in-front-of-another-sell-out-crowd/|website=SFGATE}}</ref>

In 2023, Laney College installed a new turf system which proved incompatible with the modular system used by the Roots. This led the club to shift home matches to [[Pioneer Stadium]] on the campus of [[California State University, East Bay|CSU East Bay]] for the entirety of the 2023 season.<ref>[https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2023/05/05/oakland-roots-sports-club-announces-venue-plan-for-remainder-of-2023-usl-championship-season/ Oakland Roots Sports Club announces venue plan for remainder of 2023 USL Championship season]</ref>

In August 2024, it was announced that the Roots would play the 2025 season at the [[Oakland Coliseum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Oakland Roots Sports Club Announces 2025 Season at the Historic Oakland Coliseum |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2024/08/12/oakland-roots-sports-club-announces-2025-season-at-the-historic-oakland-coliseum/ |website=OaklandRootsSC.com |publisher=[[Oakland Roots SC|Oakland Roots]] |access-date=18 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Average attendance ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: lem;"
|+Attendance at Oakland Roots SC games by season
|-
!scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Reg. Season
|-
|scope="row"| 2019 Fall
| 4,927
|-
|scope="row"| 2020 Spring
| 5,193
|-
|scope="row"| 2020 Fall
| N/A
|-
|scope="row"| 2021
| 4,344*
|-
|scope="row"| 2022
| 4,664
|-
|scope="row"| 2023
| 3,894
|-
|scope="row"| 2024
| 4,018
|}

* For games at Laney and Merritt only

==Club culture==
{{Advert section|date=July 2020}}
Local sporting and music culture has featured the club's crest, designed by [[Matthew Wolff (designer)|Matthew Wolff]]. Roots merchandise has been featured in two [[G-Eazy]] videos “West Coast” and "Bang".<ref>{{cite web|date=March 27, 2019|title=West Coast (feat. Blueface, ALLBLACK & YG) (Official Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCXSkp-CFqQ|website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 21, 2019|title=G-Eazy, Tyga – Bang (Official Video)|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn827BVSuAI}}</ref> A Roots shirt also appeared in [[Zion I]] "Flame Go" Video a few months later.<ref>{{cite web|date=December 10, 2019|title=Zion I, MADlines, and DONBLAK – "Flame Go" (The North Pole Anthem)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6my5GG7xQ|website=YouTube}}</ref> Oakland native [[Damian Lillard]] wore Oakland Roots merchandise before a game in the 2019 NBA playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vote|first=Kevin|date=May 15, 2019|title=Descending the Pyramid: Oakland Roots Have Yet to Play an Official Match, But They're Quickly Becoming America's Most Exciting Club|url=https://urbanpitch.com/oakland-roots/}}</ref> Oakland rapper [[Mistah F.A.B]] performed before the club's final home game of 2019.<ref name="Zimmerman"/> [[Kevon Looney]] of the [[Golden State Warriors]] wore a Roots t-shirt on the bench during a regular season [[NBA]] game.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Oakland Roots |user=oaklandrootssc |number=1199190312331051010 |date=25 November 2019 |title=Know yours. https://t.co/HoK7F6OUAQ https://t.co/s7WAQGEGhP |language=en |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Roots merchandise featured in [[Kehlani]]'s video "All me" on February 13, 2020.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/vxM049Rfezo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200214165830/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxM049Rfezo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxM049Rfezo| title = Kehlani – "All Me / Change Your Life" (Official Video) | website=[[YouTube]]| date = 13 February 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Underground rappers [[Murs (rapper)|Murs]] and [[The Grouch (rapper)|The Grouch]] performed prior to the team's March 7, 2020 match against [[Michigan Stars FC]].<ref>https://www.facebook.com/oaklandroots/videos/632547380930494/?v=632547380930494 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>

The club partners with local non-profit organizations as part of a community outreach effort.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 13, 2019|title=Oakland Roots Draw Big Crowds, Show Town Pride|url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/oakland-roots-draw-big-crowds-show-town-pride/Content?oid=27545466}}</ref> The club joined the [[Common Goal (charity)|Common Goal]] movement on June 30, 2020, as the first soccer club in the United States to do so.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Douglas |title=Oakland Roots donates 1% of salaries to combat social injustice |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Oakland-Roots-commit-one-percent-of-salaries-15375378.php |website=SFGate |access-date=17 September 2020 |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The team pledged to donate one percent of the team's payroll and one percent of all future ticket revenue to help address social inequality.

===Roots Justice Fund===
The club created the Oakland Roots Justice Fund is a charitable fund to support racial and gender justice. The club stated the fund would support new and existing initiatives by the Roots and community partners to "support causes at the [[Intersectionality|intersection]] of racial and gender justice."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justice Fund |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/justice-fund/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=Oakland Roots SC |language=en-US}}</ref> The fund was established with donations by the Roots investor group.<ref>https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2020/7/30/justice-match-announcement {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>

===Supporters===
Oakland Roots has six main supporters groups; Roots Radicals, La Brigada Del Pueblo, Oakland 68s, Homegrown Hooligans, Forever Oakland and Los Roots. "The Function" is a coalition of fans from all six groups. "The Function" is in reference to E-40's single, while “Roots Radicals” is an ode to the East Bay Punk Rock band [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]].<ref>{{cite web |title=USL Championship Welcomes Oakland Roots for 2021 Season |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/usl-championship-welcomes-oakland-roots-for-2021-season/n-5642421 |website=OurSports Central |access-date=17 September 2020 |language=en |date=15 September 2020 |quote=In addition to the passion and commitment Roots have seen from local soccer fans, including supporters group Roots Radicals, the club has used its broad reach in the Oakland community to drive progress on social issues.}}</ref>

==Associated teams==
===Project 51O===
{{Main|Project 51O}}
The Oakland Roots reserve team, ''[[Project 51O]]'', was launched on December 9, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oakland Roots Launch NPSL Team Project 51O |url=https://www.npsl.com/13606/ |website=National Premier Soccer League |access-date=17 September 2020 |date=9 December 2019}}</ref> Originally set to compete in the [[National Premier Soccer League]] for the [[2020 NPSL season|2020 season]], the team only played one match, a win over [[Napa Valley 1839 FC]], before the season was halted and eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |title=Napa Valley 1839 FC Drops Home Opener 2–1 to Newcomer Project 51O |url=https://www.npsl.com/13985/ |website=National Premier Soccer League |access-date=17 September 2020 |date=11 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Prince-Wright |first1=Joe |title=2020 NPSL season cancelled |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/03/26/2020-npsl-season-cancelled/ |website=ProSoccerTalk |access-date=17 September 2020 |date=26 March 2020}}</ref>

On September 17, 2020, the team announced it would compete in [[USL League Two]] beginning with the 2021 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=USLLeagueTwo com |title=USL League Two Welcomes Project 51O For 2021 Season |url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/1123062 |website=USL League Two |access-date=17 September 2020 |language=en-us |date=17 September 2020}}</ref> They eventually would forgo the season and start play in 2022.

===Oakland Soul SC===
{{Main|Oakland Soul SC}}
On May 24, 2022, Oakland Roots SC launched their women's team, Oakland Soul, to play in the [[USL W League]] beginning in the 2023 season.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 24, 2022 |title='Oakland Soul' to become city's women's soccer team |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-soul-pro-womens-soccer-team-announced-by-oakland-roots |publisher=[[KTVU]] |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref> The team plans to join the [[USL Super League]], a new professional women's league, in 2025 upon completion of a new stadium shared with Roots SC.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ingemi |first=Marisa |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Why the Bay Area could get a second top-tier women's pro soccer team |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/oakland-soul-eye-usl-super-league-aspires-reach-18102644.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=June 29, 2023}}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!scope="col" style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; border:2px solid #C0C0C0;"|Season
!scope="col" style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; border:2px solid #C0C0C0;"|Kit manufacturer
!scope="col" style="background:#000000; color:#FFFFFF; border:2px solid #C0C0C0;"|Shirt sponsor
|-
|scope="row"| 2019–2020
| [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
| [[Oaklandish]]
|-
|scope="row"| 2021–2022
| [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Elevance Health]]
|-
|scope="row"| 2023
| [[Meyba]]
|-
|scope="row"| 2024–
| [[Charly (brand)|Charly]]
|}

==Players and staff==
===Current roster===
<!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -- Do NOT add new players before their signing is officially announced by the club
 -- and do NOT assign unreferenced squad numbers as well.
 -- Do NOT create articles for brand new signings until they make either their USL or U.S. Open Cup debut,
 –- and do not add wikilinks to these players as it prevents the creation of articles by people who don't understand the WP:FOOTY notability guidelines
 – Players with international caps should NOT be bolded – as per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Football/Clubs
 – This is Wikipedia, not a football gazette.
 – Any unconfirmed and unsourced signing/transfer will be reverted at sight.
 – Thanks in advance.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
{{updated|September 14, 2024}}
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=FFFFFF}}
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=GAM|name=[[Baboucarr Njie]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=3|nat=NIR|name=[[Niall Logue]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=4|nat=GEO|name=[[Gagi Margvelashvili]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=5|nat=USA|name=[[Camden Riley]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=USA|name=Daniel Gomez|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=LES|name=[[Napo Matsoso]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=BDI|name=[[Irakoze Donasiyano]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=9|nat=USA|name=[[Dom Dwyer]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=RSA|name=[[Lindo Mfeka]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=11|nat=JAM|name=[[Trayvone Reid]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=14|nat=USA|name=[[Justin Rasmussen]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=TRI|name=[[Neveal Hackshaw]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=USA|name=[[Johnny Rodriguez (soccer)|Johnny Rodriguez]]|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=20|nat=USA|name=[[Paul Blanchette]]|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=22|nat=MEX|name=[[Rafael Baca]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=23|nat=USA|name=[[Memo Diaz]]|pos=DF}}
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=FFFFFF}}
{{fs player|no=27|nat=HAI|name=Miche-Naider Chéry|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=38|nat=USA|name=Etsgar Cruz|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=39|nat=USA|name=Javier Bedolla-Vera|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=40|nat=USA|name=Ilya Alekseev<ref>[https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2024/03/08/oakland-roots-sc-signs-ilya-alekseev-to-academy-contract/ OAKLAND ROOTS SC SIGNS ILYA ALEKSEEV TO AN ACADEMY CONTRACT]</ref>|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=41|nat=USA|name=Eli Wachs|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=45|nat=USA|name=Ali Elmasnaouy|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=46|nat=USA|name=Kieran Bracken Serra|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=47|nat=USA|name=Julio Martinez|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=48|nat=USA|name=Luis Saldaña|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=49|nat=USA|name=Tomas Caminos|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=50|nat=FRA|name=Thomas Camier|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=52|nat=USA|name=Juan Sanchez|pos=FW}}
{{fs player|no=60|nat=USA|name=Timothy Syrel|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=61|nat=USA|name=Edwin Rodriguez|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=65|nat=USA|name=Matteo Carbone|pos=DF}}
{{fs player|no=98|nat=Colombia|name=[[José Luis Sinisterra]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs end|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=FFFFFF}}

{{Cnote2 Begin}}
{{Cnote2|A|group=1|n=1|USL Academy Contract}}
{{Cnote2 End}}

===Out on loan===
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=FFFFFF}}
{{fs player|no=19|nat=USA|name=[[Wolfgang Prentice]]|other=on loan to [[Forward Madison FC|Forward Madison]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs end|nonumber=|bg=000000|color=FFFFFF|border=FFFFFF}}

===Technical staff===

* [[Gavin Glinton]], Interim Head Coach
* [[Joseph Nane]], Assistant Coach
* Peter Davis, Goalkeeper Coach
* Zak Gordon, Opposition Analyst 
* [[Jordan Ferrell]], Technical Director
* [[Nana Attakora]], Director of Player Personnel
* Eric Yamamoto, VP of Soccer

===Coaching records===
{{updated|April 29, 2024}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
|+Oakland Roots SC coaching records
|-
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Nat.
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|From
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|To
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|P|Total matches played}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|W|Matches won}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|D|Matches drawn}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|L|Matches lost}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|GS|Goals scored}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|GA|Goals against}}
!scope="col"|{{Abbr|%W|Win percentage}}
!scope="col"|Honors
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Paul Bravo]]
|align=left|{{footyflag|USA}}
|align=left|May 9, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/paulbravo|title=Oakland Roots Sign Bay Area Soccer Legend Paul Bravo as First Head Coach|website=www.oaklandrootssc.com|access-date=December 30, 2019}}</ref>
|align=left|October 31, 2019<ref>[https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2019/10/31/oakland-roots-and-paul-bravo-mutually-agree-to-part-ways "Oakland Roots and Paul Bravo Mutually Agree to Part Ways"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031194319/https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/2019/10/31/oakland-roots-and-paul-bravo-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |date=2019-10-31 }} – Oakland Roots SC, December 30, 2019</ref>
{{WDL|6|0|3|3|for=10|against=13}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Jordan Ferrell]]
|align=left|{{footyflag|USA}}
|align=left|December 3, 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=Jordan Ferrell Named Head Coach for Oakland Roots S.C. |url=https://oaklandrootssc.com/news/jordanferrell |website=www.oaklandrootssc.com |publisher=Oakland Roots SC |access-date=December 30, 2019}}</ref>
|align=left|November 16, 2020
{{WDL|9|5|2|2|for=15|against=9}}
|[[2020–21 National Independent Soccer Association season#Western Conference|2020 Fall NISA Western Conference Champion]]
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|Dario Pot
|align=left|{{footyflag|CRO}}
|align=left|November 16, 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Head Coach Jordan Ferrell Becomes Roots' Technical Director as 1st Team Assistant Coach Dario Pot Steps Up to be Head Coach|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1132301 |website=www.oaklandrootssc.com |publisher=Oakland Roots SC |date=November 16, 2020|access-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref>
|align=left|April 25, 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=Roots, Head Coach Dario Pot Part Ways |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1160153 |newspaper=Usl Championship |date=25 April 2021 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref>
{{WDL|0|0|0|0|for=0|against=0}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Jordan Ferrell]]
|align=left|{{footyflag|USA}}
|align=left|April 25, 2021
|align=left|December 30, 2021<ref name="FerrellGuerra">{{cite web|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1200713|title=Oakland Roots Announce Juan Guerra As The Club's New Head Coach|publisher=Oakland Roots SC|date=December 30, 2021|accessdate=December 30, 2021|archive-date=December 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230180844/https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news_article/show/1200713|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{WDL|34|12|9|13|for=37|against=43}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Juan Guerra (footballer, born 1987)|Juan Guerra]]
|align=left|{{footyflag|VEN}}
|align=left|December 30, 2021<ref name="FerrellGuerra" />
|align=left|August 18, 2022<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Oakland Roots Soccer Club announces abrupt coaching change |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/oakland-roots-soccer-club-announces-abrupt-coaching-change/ar-AA10O1YJ |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MSN |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{WDL|26|6|12|8|for=38|against=38}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Noah Delgado]] (interim)
|align=left|{{footyflag|USA}}
|align=left|August 18, 2022<ref name=":0" />
|align=left|November 30, 2022
{{WDL|12|7|1|4|for=20|against=13}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Noah Delgado]]
|align=left|{{footyflag|USA}}
|align=left|December 1, 2022<ref name="Delgado">{{Cite web |title=Oakland Roots Sports Club Officially Announce Noah Delgado as Head Coach |url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2022/12/01/oakland-roots-sports-club-officially-announce-noah-delgado-as-head-coach/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=oaklandrootssc.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|align=left|April 28, 2024
{{WDL|45|15|10|20|for=57|against=65}}
|
|
|-
|scope="row" align=left|[[Gavin Glinton]] (interim)
|align=left|{{footyflag|TCA}}
|align=left|April 28, 2024<ref name="Glinton">{{cite web|url=https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/news/2024/04/28/technical-update-head-coaching-change/ |title=Technical Update: Head Coaching Change |website=oaklandrootssc.com |date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024}}</ref>
|align=left|present
{{WDL|0|0|0|0|for=0|against=0}}
|
|
|}

==Honors==

===League===
'''[[National Independent Soccer Association]]'''
*'''Western Conference'''
** '''Champion (1):''' 2020

===Team awards===
*'''Player of the Year'''
** '''2019:''' [[Jack McInerney]]
** '''2020:''' [[Matthew Fondy]]
** '''2021:''' [[Emrah Klimenta]]
** '''2022:''' [[Óttar Magnús Karlsson]]
** '''2023:''' [[Paul Blanchette]]
*'''Goal of the Year'''
** '''2019:''' Ryan Masch
** '''2020:''' Angel Heredia
** '''2021:''' [[Johnny Rodriguez (soccer)|Johnny Rodriguez]]
** '''2022:''' [[Johnny Rodriguez (soccer)|Johnny Rodriguez]]
** '''2023:''' [[Johnny Rodriguez (soccer)|Johnny Rodriguez]]
*'''Roots Righteous Award'''
** '''2019:''' Kevin Gonzalez
** '''2020:''' Julio Cervantes
** '''2021:''' [[Tarn Weir]], [[Jesús Enríquez]]
** '''2022:''' [[Matias Fissore]]
** '''2023:''' [[Irakoze Donasiyano]]
*'''Oakland Branch Award'''
** '''2021:''' [[Memo Diaz]]
** '''2022:''' [[Jesús Enríquez]]
** '''2023:''' [[Paul Blanchette]]
*'''Project 51O Player of the Year'''
** '''2022:''' Javier Ruiz Duran
** '''2023:''' Etsgar Cruz

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Oakland Roots Sports Club|state=expanded}}
{{Oakland Roots SC squad}}
{{USL Championship}}
{{Bay Area Sports}}
{{California sports}}
{{Oakland, California}}
{{Oakland attractions}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Oakland Roots SC| ]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 2018]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in Oakland, California]]
[[Category:National Independent Soccer Association teams]]
[[Category:Fan-owned football clubs]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in California]]