Oakland Roots received a stern test on Sunday night against Liga MX’s FC Juarez, losing 4-2. Here are three things we learned from the game.

1) Roots responded well to adversity



After conceding three goals against FC Juarez in the first 12 minutes, Roots could’ve thrown in the white flag and got taken apart by a technically superior team. However, Oakland showed some real verve in responding to a quality opponent.

The team upped their gameplay and intensity and responded with an excellent goal on a turnover in the 26th minute by captain Benji Joya. In the second half, the Roots even got a number of their bench players quality time on the field against Juarez and they acquitted themselves well, winning the half 1-0.

The Juarez game should serve the Roots well in their next three matches, all on the road, against Cal United Strikers, 1904 FC, and LA Force. These three matches will determine if the Roots have any chance of making the NISA postseason playoff game.

2) Winger Dylan Autran has been a revelation



As a first-year team, the Roots have a lot of question marks about the makeup of their squad. One of the surprise players in the first two games has been Dylan Autran.

The winger has been a constant offensive threat down the right side of the field with his pace and vision. On Sunday he was involved with both of the Roots goals. He assisted Benji Joya for the team’s first goal. In the second half, his pass into space for Yoshi Chaffin allowed the defender to cross in for the team’s second goal.

Autran played his college ball at Santa Clara University and featured on San Francisco’s El Farolito before playing for several lower division sides in Europe.

The Roots are all about giving local players a chance to become professionals near home. With Autran they have found a diamond in the rough.

3) Fans show their support for the Roots



After an impressive home opener with a sell-out crowd, it would’ve been understandable if the team wasn’t able to repeat the feat for its second home game. However, the Roots announced the day before that they had once again sold out Laney Stadium for the Juarez match.

The atmosphere was again festive and fun as the fans showered the players with their love and support and chants of “Let’ Go Oakland.”

At least three distinctive fan supporter groups have been at the games creating new chants and providing atmosphere. Also, many homegrown players like Oakland’s Julio Cervantes, have dozens of friends and family at the game waiting to cheer him on.

It’s an impressive start for the Roots. The only disappointment most fans now have is the almost month-long wait until the next Roots home game. That will take place on Sunday, October 13th against Mexican second division side Club Atlético Zacatepec.

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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