In front of a sellout crowd enjoying a beautiful, brilliant East Bay evening, the Oakland Roots took to the field for the first time Saturday night. Riding on the energy of the packed stadium the team sprinted out to a three-goal lead before tired legs allowed the California United Strikers to tie the game up for the final result.

“This is our first game as a club,” said head coach Paul Bravo. “A lot to be proud of but a lot to work on as well.”

A Jack McInerney hat-trick in the first half seemed to send the Roots to a historic victory in their first game. However a team still working themselves in game shape and some shoddy defense allowed Cal United back into the match. Their third goal in the 89th minute leveled the score and the Roots walked off the field with the first draw and point in the club’s history.

McInerney struck first in the 20th minute when a pass from Andres Jimenez found the streaking striker who calmly slotted the ball far post for the first goal in Roots history.

First goal in Roots history. Chills. pic.twitter.com/75J4yPJql6 — Oakland Roots (@oaklandrootssc) September 1, 2019

In the 30th minute, McInerney struck again on a free-kick from Octavio Guzman. His looping kick found an unmarked McInerney at the far post and he was able to direct the header into the net.

ALSO: Oakland Roots look to capture The Town’s heart

His hat trick was completed in the 43rd minute when the striker found himself open about 10 yards above the penalty box. He had time to pick the near post and slot the goal past the Cal United keeper.









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Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 1 of / 22 Caption Close Image 2 of 22 Fans cheer at the Oakland Roots first game on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Fans cheer at the Oakland Roots first game on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 3 of 22 Oakland Roots SC players walk onto the field for the first time against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC players walk onto the field for the first time against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 4 of 22 Oakland Roots SC players, including Víctor “Muma” Bernárdez, (right) walk onto the field for the first time against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC players, including Víctor “Muma” Bernárdez, (right) walk onto the field for the first time against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 5 of 22 Image 6 of 22 Fans and bench players cheer before the Oakland Roots SC vs Cal United Strikers FC game at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Fans and bench players cheer before the Oakland Roots SC vs Cal United Strikers FC game at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 7 of 22 Oakland, California SC line up for their first game against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland, California SC line up for their first game against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 8 of 22 The first-ever starting lineup for the Oakland Roots as they play the Cal United Strikers FC on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) The first-ever starting lineup for the Oakland Roots as they play the Cal United Strikers FC on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 9 of 22 Oakland Roots SC defender Christopher Christian passes the ball against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC defender Christopher Christian passes the ball against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 10 of 22 Image 11 of 22 Roots players react as Jack McInerney scores a goal on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Roots players react as Jack McInerney scores a goal on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 12 of 22 Roots players react after Jack McInerney (center) scored a goal on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Roots players react after Jack McInerney (center) scored a goal on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 13 of 22 Fans cheer at the Oakland Roots first game on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Fans cheer at the Oakland Roots first game on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 14 of 22 Oakland Roots SC Dylan Autran looks up the field vs Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC Dylan Autran looks up the field vs Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 15 of 22 Image 16 of 22 Oakland Roots SC keeper Larry Jackson keeps his eye on the ball against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC keeper Larry Jackson keeps his eye on the ball against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 17 of 22 Oakland Roots Jack McInerney on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots Jack McInerney on August 31, 2019 in Oakland (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 18 of 22 Oakland Roots SC head coach Paul Bravo looks on the action in the first half vs Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC head coach Paul Bravo looks on the action in the first half vs Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 19 of 22 Oakland Roots’ Víctor “Muma” Bernárdez controls the ball against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo credit: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots’ Víctor “Muma” Bernárdez controls the ball against the Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo credit: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 20 of 22 Image 21 of 22 Oakland Roots SC keeper Larry Jackson punches a ball away against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Oakland Roots SC keeper Larry Jackson punches a ball away against Cal United Strikers FC at Laney Field. (Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos) Photo: Robert Edwards-KLC fotos Image 22 of 22 Oakland Roots tie first ever game 3-3 1 / 22 Back to Gallery

“It felt great,” said McInerney after the game. “It was great to be a part of the first game for the club. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result we were hoping for.”

Cal United’s Chris Klute struck right before the half to make the scoreline 3-1 to give his team life just before the intermission.

The Roots were able to hold off the visitors from Orange County until the 81st minute when Cal United’s Gustavo Villalobos scored. In the 89th minute, Christian Thierjung slotted home the tying goal for the final result.

ALSO: Oakland Roots look to capture The Town’s heart

Oakland’s fans packed the sold-out Laney stadium and provided an electric atmosphere throughout the game. That had an impact on all the players. “A lot of us tried to give our 100 percent maximum effort tonight,” remarked midfielder Benji Joya.

With their first NISA league game in the books, Oakland will play its second game, a friendly against Liga MX side FC Juarez, next Sunday night.

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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