TAMPA, Florida, CMC – Jamaican midfielder Trayvon Reid helped earn lowly Oakland Roots SC a stunning 2-1 win against high-flying Orange County SC in the United Soccer League Championship on Saturday in the United States.
The 24-year-old scored a penalty to equalize for Roots in the first half. Still, they needed a miracle goal from Gagi Margvelashvili with mere seconds remaining in second-half stoppage time at Pioneer Stadium in East Bay in California to grab their first win in five matches.
The result meant Roots climbed into 10th place with 11 points in the 12-team Western Conference standings, while OC is third with 15 points and a superior goal difference to two other teams.
“The goal against was a big deflator for us for a minute, but the guys took a deep breath and got right back to it, and I was thrilled with that pause – that moment – just kind of to regroup and then get back on with the job,” Roots interim head coach, Gavin Glinton said.
“I thought they did a good job of not letting it affect them and continuing to impose themselves on the opposition. It would have been nice to go in with a lead at the half, but excellent job coming back out and continuing to push and fight in the second half, winning second balls, and not stopping until the end, so I’m proud of the group.”
Both sides started the contest strongly and earned quality scoring chances – including a three-on-two attacking advantage for the Roots in the 15th minute that was cleaned up well by the OC defense.
However, the visitors opened the scoring in the 21st minute when a cross into the box from the left side courtesy of OC defender Ryan Doghman found a leaping Thomas Amang to put a quality header into the back of the net.
Roots countered a short time later, and a hard foul in the OC penalty area earned them a penalty kick in the 31st minute – and Reid made no mistake from the spot, firing the ball toward the right side and past the outstretched hands of the OC goalkeeper Colin Shutler.
Both teams continued to trade scoring opportunities, with Roots earning the lion’s share of them, but despite the attacking pressure, it seemed that the match was headed towards a draw.
Roots midfielder Jeciel Cedeño received a throw-in near midfield and immediately sent a deep lob toward the box in a desperate attempt with the final whistle imminent.
Margvelashvili was waiting at the end of the high arc and managed to stay on-side, corral the long ball, and boot it past Shutler to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Roots now head on the road for matches against FC Tulsa and Loudon United FC before returning to East Bay on June 8 to face Tampa Bay Rowdies.
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