Cal United Strikers v Oakland Roots SC Game Recap

Cal United Strikers quick start ends in a draw after giving up a 90^th minute PK

Published September 13th, 2020

September 13, 2020

By Nina Capriotti

For Cal United Strikers FC

IRVINE – After suffering a week of smoky air from the California wildfires, the air quality cleared up and the weather was a humid 77 degrees for the Cal United Strikers opening night. It was the first of the placement matches for Cal United Strikers against Oakland Roots at Championship Stadium at the Orange County Great Park. Both teams are scheduled to play two games to decide where they will be placed for the start of the NISA Championship Tournament that will take place in Detroit, Michigan beginning September 21^st. This was the first game that Cal United Strikers have played since the pandemic hit, and played with no fans in the stands.

The game started off quickly with Christian Thierjung scoring from an assist by Omar Nuño just three minutes into regulation. After the goal was scored, the Roots enjoyed long spells of possession as they searched for an equalizer. Cal United Strikers were up to the task, as they defended well and remained organized at the back limiting the Roots to a single shot on goal. But as regulation was coming to a close, the visitors found their break when a through ball behind the back line led to a foul in the box by Adan Coronado in the 90^th minute. Jack McInerney stepped up to the spot and scored the penalty kick to end the game in a 1-1 draw.

“We came out strong for the first ten minutes of the game which was something that we talked about working on, but we couldn’t retain momentum after scoring a goal. We were rushing our passes and trying to force going forward and couldn’t settle the ball. I thought we did well defensively, but we gave up an unfortunate foul at the end of the game that cost us a win,” said Chris Klute.

“It’s been 6 months since our last competitive game and we had a hard time connecting passes and maintaining possession. We need to work on our team chemistry going into our game on Wednesday against Los Angeles Force. Now that we have this game over with, all the focus is working on our issues against the Force this Wednesday. These couple of games are good for us to work out what we need to fix before going into the bubble in Michigan,” said Duncan Capriotti

At the end both teams only had 1 shot on goal and emotions were running high drawing 6 total yellow cards in the game.

Upcoming Schedule

Cal United Strikers’ next game will be 7 p.m. on Wednesday September 16^th vs Los Angeles Force at Orange County Great Park Championship Stadium in Irvine.  Cal United will then hit the road for NISA’s Championship Tournament starting September 21 in Detroit, Michigan.

GAME SUMMARY

Cal United Strikers 1, Oakland Roots 1

Goals: Christian Thierjung 3’ for Cal United Strikers, Jack McInerney 90’ for Oakland Roots

Cal United Strikers (4-3-3): Steven Barrera; Chris Klute, Aydan Bowers, Xavier Fuerte, Kevin Jeon (Kevin Garcia Lopez 57), Duncan Capriotti (Miguel Sanchez – Rincon 68), Shane Kaemerle (Adan Coronado 60) (JP Ocegueda 90), Shinya Kadono, Tony Lopez (Abraham Villon 46), Omar Nuño, Christian Thierjung

Yellow cards: Cal United – Adan Coronado, Chris Klute, Omar Nuño, Aydan Bowers,  Oakland Roots – David Abidor

Referee: Karen Callado

Venue: Championship Stadium

Weather: 77 Fahrenheit, calm.

Attendance: 0

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