Meet the 2020 Oakland Roots

Meet the new and returning players for the Oakland Roots in 2020. Meet the new and returning players for the Oakland Roots in 2020. Photo: Courtesy Oakland Roots Photo: Courtesy Oakland Roots Image 1 of / 34 Caption Close Meet the 2020 Oakland Roots 1 / 34 Back to Gallery

With their season starting on Saturday, Oakland Roots' new coach Jordan Ferrell has a challenge ahead of him to establish a winning culture on the team.

Although the Roots had a successful fall season off the field, attracting large crowds, they finished in last place in NISA Fall Season. Their only victory was over the Mexican second division side CA Zacatepec in a friendly match.

The club has had six weeks of preseason training, and Ferrell is optimistic about the work team has put on the practice field will translate to improved results.

"There were the normal growing pains that we went through in the fall," he said. "It was not the wheels are coming off, and we have to change our direction completely. It was more hey we are in a good place, we've laid a good foundation, but we have to get better, get sharper and more fit. Have a better preseason preparation for the Spring season."

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman/SFGate Oakland Roots head coach Jordan Ferrell gives some instruction...

Several players, including the Roots' first signee Devante Dubose, are not on the team for the Spring season.

"There were some players that we wanted to keep, but for one reason or another it didn't work out," said Ferrell.

Oakland has brought in a handful of seasoned professionals to strengthen the squad. Former MLS forwards Matt Fondy and Tristan Bowen will combine with the Roots returning goal-scoring leader Jack McInerney to form a potent offensive trio.

A backline that could be generous conceding goals will improve with ex-San Francisco Deltas defender Nana Attakora anchoring the defense.

"We wanted to mix that experience with the youth," he explained. "The type of experienced player that would be supportive of that development of those younger players."As for his team's style of play, Ferrell succinctly sums it up as scoring as many goals as possible.

Photo: Douglas Zimmerman/SFGate Forward Tristan Bowen talks to his teammates at an Oakland Roots...

"I don't believe in defensive soccer. We want to be defensively solid, but I'm not trying to pack in and knick a goal on the counter," Ferrell added. "We want to be able to take the ball away from the opponent and put it in the back of the net right away and have some swag while doing it."

Ferrell expects that all the hard work on the training ground in the preseason should prepare the club for game days. He is attempting to make winning a second nature for the club as they try to compete for the Spring Season title and make the NISA postseason.

The Oakland Roots take on Chattanooga FC in their NISA Spring Opener at Laney Stadium on Sat. Feb. 29 near Lake Merritt in Oakland. Musical act Zion I will be performing before the game. Kickoff is at 5:10 p.m.. More info here.

_______________

Online Photo Editor Douglas Zimmerman oversees SFGATE's Instagram and covers the Bay Area soccer scene on SFGATE's Beautiful Blog. View his latest stories and send him news tips at dzimmerman@sfgate.com. Follow on Twitter @zimpix