Losing to Sacramento probably ended the Roots’ Cup run, but it might help them more than it hurts.
Covered that, along with an emerging issue: what happens when this team has the ball but no one who can break a defense down?
What stood out to you all from the game on Saturday?
Oakland Roots fell 0-1 to Sacramento Republic in its USL Cup clash. Here is everything Ryan Martin said regarding their precursor to two league matches against SRFC, things they can pull, what they learned, and updates to Bobosi, Mark Fisher, and Julian Bravo. We also spoke to Martin and Charlie Wachs about his debut at 16-years-old, what it means to him, his family connection to Roots through his brother, Eli Wachs, and his future as a player
Three questions heading into the USL Cup match against Sacramento this weekend.
The biggest question: is it worth it for Martin to play his strongest eleven?
What do you all think? Is keeping the USL Cup hopes alive worth it this weekend?
I am a Roots season ticket holder. I think I paid $270 for my tickets which aren't the greatest seats behind the goal and like five rows up from the pitch. I remember when looking at the ticketing site, there weren't more than 10 season tickets available across the whole back section around the goal that is opposite the Treehouse.
The atmosphere at the start of last season when they got 20K+ fans out there and even the first game of the season when I think it was 10K+ was way more exciting. I remember when Mexico came to play against Japan, the game was EXTREMELY boring but wow does it feel good to have a Coliseum at that capacity. Even without an exciting game, the atmosphere hits different.
Every time I am at a game I wonder, couldn't we pursue a different model of ticket pricing where we prioritize selling more tickets at a lower price?
The plan for the Howard Terminal stadium is at 25,000 fan venue. Why are we not aiming to get 25,000 fans regularly at the Coliseum to begin with?
Obviously I am not privy to all the intricacies of what it's like running a soccer team and I'm sure there would be tradeoffs but it just feels like it's such a wasted opportunity.
I'm sure some people will say, well, if you lower ticket prices then what might end up happening is that no new fans will come and the people that would be going anyways (either single game or season ticket holders) will end up spending less, lowering the team's revenue.
I feel like there's ways we can get creative around this and it just doesn't feel like a priority of the team to actually fill up the stadium.
For example, running the OUSD school night promotion more often where OUSD students get in for free. In fact, why not just expand it so children get free when accompanied by one adult?
If we are worried about season ticket holders not buying tickets knowing that it's just cheaper to buy when these promotions happen, how about creating incentives to make the deal worth it? For example, we could be offering t-shirt signings, meets and greets with players, access to special training sessions or tours of the facilities, etc?
These are just ideas that come to mind when I let my ADHD brain go for a few minutes at the stadium, but I'm sure I could come up with other things if asked to.
If you agree, maybe just drop a comment below saying so. If you disagree, tell me your arguments why this ideas is crazy or what I don't know about this industry.
EDIT: This all feels especially crazy to me knowing what a huge vacuum to Oakland/East Bay sports fans the Raiders, A's, and Warriors (to a lesser extent since they're still close by) have left! It feels so primed for a sports team to come in and capture all these fans that are orphaned.
Another commenter already posted below that the Roots are operating at a loss. Again, seems like even more reason to do this! If we are already at a loss, then make the operating loss worthwhile. If we operate at double the current loss every year but that stadium is at 25K fans regularly then it could be worth it. There is literally no competition for watching sports in Oakland right now. We lost every single team. It feels like right now is the perfect time to pursue an aggressive growth strategy, even if it comes at a higher loss. Especially in the context of the World Cup happening next month!
ADDITIONAL EDIT: Many people are commenting that parking prices are a major issue and the fact that all revenue from parking, concessions, ads, etc., doesn't go to the Oakland Roots. It really feels like someone is sleeping at the wheel here. Why couldn't do the Roots negotiate a better deal like going concessions 50/50 with the owners or free parking? Feels like the stadium owners have little to no leverage here, what am I missing?
Now, assuming the deal is what it is and can't be changed then again, getting creative with how we mitigate these factors.
Sure, parking is what it is but then let's make tickets cheaper so it offsets the parking costs for people. Instead of selling 2000 tickets at $40, we can sell 20,000 tickets at $6. Again, I say this knowing that a game with 20,000 fans hits a lot differently than a game with 2,000 (especially at that massive stadium where 2000 fans honestly feels shameful). Like when I think about telling other people to come to the game or become season ticket holders I honestly don't even feel like it's worth it. You go in there and it feels SAD.
Fill up the stadium because it makes the atmosphere more electric, the energy higher, the whole experience is just enhanced even if the game is not.
There's that huge dirt lot where the circus posts up sometimes off Oakport Rd. It seems it's owned by EBMUD. EBMUD is an Oakland Roots sponsor/partner! Why can't we just offer free parking to fans at that lot via a partnership? Or say, $10 parking. In fact, even $20 knowing the money is actually going to the Roots would make me feel way better.
Put together my usual "loved / hated / unsure" breakdown of the El Paso match.
Biggest takeaway: Tucker Lepley may help fill a massive void in the Roots' attack, but his arrival could complicate line-up decisions going forward.
Curious who you all think might be squeezed out with the added depth. What else stood out to you all on Saturday?
For the first time ever with the the USL Cup and the Roots in serious playoff form, the Roots are poised to play Sacramento Republic upwards of 3-4 times this season. If you told a Barcelona fan that there would be that many classicos in a season, or told a St Pauli fan there would be that many Hamburg derby games that season, they would lose their minds and it would probably be regarded as one of the best seasons in club history despite the rest of the season.
In 5 days we will have our first of these matchups on a Saturday night. And in a season where Roots are the best they have probably ever been, coming off 2 very strong and entertaining home wins, against their longtime rival, you would think that this is poised to be a loud, rowdy, Oakland night at the Coliseum. But unfortunately I’m guessing there will be sub 5000 attendance (and that’s with Sacramento fans who travel very well to Oakland). It’s also slightly disappointing that all the Roots have had to say to market their biggest game of the year is “this one matters most” and the 😤 emoji.
It’s mostly disappointing because this is a sports market that’s no stranger to big flashy rowdy rivalry games (see A’s/Giants or 9ers/Raiders). And with the fan run Hella Cup, there’s more on the line than ever. And it’s not an indictment of the fans because whenever we go to Sacramento the place is packed and the vibes are electric. It’s just how the club treats its rivals and rivalry games.
All I can hope for is everyone goes to game and is as loud as possible. And hopefully the Roots do something fun for the next meetup in August where we go away to Sacramento. Maybe setup some kind of event either at the Coliseum or Raimondi where fans who can’t travel can go for a night out on the field (lawn chairs, blankets, etc) and they will play the game on the screens for a giant watch party while the traveling fans make lots of noise in Sacramento.
Idk just a thought
So at the Oakland Roots vs El Paso Locomotive FC there was a guy sitting behind me (pretty sure he was also a season ticket holder) around the midfield line in section 124/125.
When the El Paso goalkeeper came on the field he started saying it was Dani Rojas, which I found funny but also low-key kinda real because I had known Dani Rojas (real name Cristo Fernandez) was in talks to sign with a professional team.
What is crazy is that Dani Rojas actually signed for El Paso Locomotive FC today! I didn't know that was the team he was signing for. So to the guy who kept saying it was Dani Rojas sitting behind me, if you didn't already know, I thought you would find it funny that if the game had happened a few weeks from now, you may have actually seen the real Dani Rojas playing at the Coliseum.
How we feeling RootsFam!? Oakland Roots beat El Paso 2-1 with a magnificent debut winner by Tucker Lepley. Here's everything Ryan Martin and Lepley said regarding his debut, his goal, his versatility, Roots' late magic for a second straight week, the attacking depth, and RM's difficult choices, Peter Wilson, and Jesus de Vicente
I notice most USL teams have a mascot. I think it could be good to build the morale and give this team more of an identity. Its not a big deal but something I just thought of.
I don't think I ever see them on tv. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they don't travel for road games to save cost. I think Joe Malfa does other games to. I'm just curious.
Three questions heading into this weekend's match against El Paso. One interesting note from the Loudoun game: the last 15 minutes may shown how to slow down El Paso's potent attack. Will the Roots build on it?
What are your biggest questions heading into this one?
