In their first-ever road game, the Oakland Roots faced off against the California United Strikers FC at Championship Stadium in Irvine, California. They overcame an early defensive miscue to earn a 1-1 draw.

Cal United struck first. In the 6th minute winger Chris Klute was able to shake free and deliver a cross into the box. Roots defender Yoshi Chaffin was unable to get more than a glancing blow on the cross and it fell to Cal Utd striker Christian Thierjung. He blasted his close-range shot past keeper Jairo Zermeno.

The Orange County side almost doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Cal Utd’s Thierjung acquired the ball deep on the left side of the penalty box. The Roots’ Chaffin was able to poke the ball away before Thierjung could put a strike on target.

In the 34th minute, Roots striker Jack McInerney was able to direct a shot on target that Strikers keeper Steven Barrera could only parry out of bounds. On the ensuing corner, Joya found a streaking Chaffin who thundered a header into the back of the net to tie up the game.

Roots keeper Zermeno was able to keep his team level when he made a point-blank save on an unmarked Abraham Villon just before the halftime whistle.

The second half started off slowly. The first twenty-five minutes were mostly notable for Roots players cramping up on the field. Angel Heredia found himself down on the field for several minutes before subbing out.

The game woke up in the 74th minute when Cal Utd winger Chris Klute’s cross fell dangerously in front of the far post. However, none of his teammates were able to get onto the end of the ball and it bounced harmlessly out of bounds.

A minute later the Roots Dembakwi Yomba got loose up top and appeared to be taken down in the penalty box. The lead official conferred with the line referee and ultimately decided there was no foul.

Cal United had another chance in the 87th minute. Striker’s Omar Nuno got past the Roots defense and Zermono had to come up with another big save.

In the 90th minute, Roots forward Jack McInerney claimed to be taken down in the box but the referee waved off any foul.

Zermeno was called on one more time in the 94th minute when he tipped a long shot from Cal United over the crossbar.

With the result, the Roots have now tied their first two NISA games, both against Cal United. They look to get their first victory in team history on Saturday evening against 1904 FC at SDCCU Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 pm.

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Douglas Zimmerman curates the Beautiful Blog, which covers the ‘beautiful game’ of soccer 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