One of the founding principles of the Roots is a commitment to represent the Oakland community. The team lived up to their creed on Tuesday announcing Oakland native Devante Dubose as their first signing.

Dubose, who played last season for the USL Championship side Phoneix Rising, is the first announced player for the pro soccer club that will start its inaugural campaign in August in the NPSL Founders Cup.

“Having known Devante for a number of years, I can’t imagine a better person, and player, to represent Oakland Roots and to forever hold the title of ‘first player in club history,’” said Oakland Roots Club President Benno Nagel.

With the announcement, the team released a ‘hype video’ including an ever-so-Oakland sideshow.

A standout at Bishop O’Dowd high school, Dubose played for Virginia Tech in college before being selected by the San Jose Earthquakes with the 66th pick in the 2014 MLS Draft. The natural right back defender saw action for the first team only in the preseason and ended up as part of the Quakes U-23 team before he was cut.

Dubose bounced around the lower divisions of the soccer pyramid before beginning his pro career with the USL second division Oklahoma City Energy in 2016. In 2017 he took time off from his search for a team and worked as a soccer coach and trainer for youth players. In 2018, he impressed in an open tryout for the USL’s Phoenix Rising and secured a spot with the team.

“He’s so fast,” Rising coach Patrice Carteron told Arizona sports at the time. “In the 1v1 defensive scheme, he’s really hard to beat. I was really impressed by his physical capacities.” Dubose ended up playing 15 games for the side that won the league’s Western Division. His speed allowed him to contribute his team’s attack (he scored one goal) out wide while quickly being able to recover back into his defensive position.

“I am honored to be the first-ever signing and grateful to be a pioneer for the sport in such a prestigious community, but even more excited to have arrived at the right time with the right people behind me to do something magical,” said Dubose.

“His commitment to our community and our ability, together, to leverage the power of sport to inspire young people in Oakland means that we’re acquiring much more than just a highly-talented soccer player,” said Nagel. “In Devante, we are bringing a player to the Roots who will lead by example, and who will personify the mission that we as an organization intend to achieve.”

The 26-year-old Dubose has decided to wear the number 67 for his jersey.

“Although a number is a number, 67 represents a fresh start with the vision of positive growth, which is the key to growth, and I intend to grow on and off the field,” he explained. “I can only hope when a kid let alone anyone who sees me with this number on my back sees a dream chaser, and you never know, but the hope is always to spark the next dream.”

NPSL announced last week that the inaugural Founders Cup season will start the weekend of August 24th on the West Coast. The league will have 11 teams across the country split into an Eastern and Western Divisions. The Roots will be part of the Western Division and will play a home and away against FC Arizona, ASC San Diego, California United Strikers FC in Orange County, and Los Angeles based Cal FC. A semi-final playoff will be held Nov. 2nd with the championship final held on November 16th.

“I want to thank God, my family, and the Oakland Roots organization for believing in me; this is only the beginning of something great,” added Dubose.

________________

Douglas Zimmerman covers the “beautiful game” in the Bay Area and around the world. He recently released a photo book documenting the fans of the World Cup that he started in 2002.

Follow on Twitter: @zimpix