Local soccer fans will once again have a professional team to support as the Oakland Roots took to the field Thursday morning for their first-ever practice at the College of Alameda.

Roots with take part in the inaugural season of the National Independent Soccer Association, a new third division pro soccer league. They will host the league’s first-ever game against Cal United FC at Laney College in Oakland on August 31st.

“Optimism reigns,” said Roots head coach and former MLS player Paul Bravo. “The most important thing for us trying to get the guys out on the field, a little bit of team chemistry, get them tight-knit and ready for the first game on the 31st.”

Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo explains how the technical staff put the team together and their style of play @oaklandrootssc #knowyourroots #bayareafutbol pic.twitter.com/nSM5pFdQfu — Douglas Zimmerman (@zimpix) July 26, 2019

The team will be the first professional soccer team in the SF-Oakland area since the second division San Francisco Deltas folded shortly after winning the NASL title in November 2017.

The idea for the club was hatched by Benno Nagel, the club’s President and Director of Soccer, co-founders Edreece Arghandiwal over two years ago. Since announcing the Roots late last year the team and its staff have worked diligently on their dream of building a community soccer club representative of Oakland into a reality.

Oakland’ technical side is led by Bay Area native Bravo and technical director Eric Yamamoto. Bravo was a star player for the San Jose Clash during their first two seasons in the MLS and had a successful career in the front office for the Colorado Rapids. Yamamoto is an assistant coach at Santa Clara University and was a former US Men’s U-23 National Team assistant. They relied on their connections in the local soccer community to put together a side that will blend experienced veterans with talented young Bay Area players looking for a chance to become a professional.









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Photo: SFGate Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close Image 2 of 28 Oakland Roots players walk onto the field for their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players walk onto the field for their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 3 of 28 Oakland Roots player Angel Heredia shakes hands with Edreece Arghandiwal (back to camera) before their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots player Angel Heredia shakes hands with Edreece Arghandiwal (back to camera) before their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 4 of 28 Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo talks with his team during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo talks with his team during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 5 of 28 Image 6 of 28 The Roots’s Benji Joya (center) jokes with a teammate during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. The Roots’s Benji Joya (center) jokes with a teammate during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 7 of 28 The Oakland Roots held their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. The Oakland Roots held their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 8 of 28 Oakland Roots players stretch during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players stretch during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 9 of 28 Yohannes Harish (center) takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Yohannes Harish (center) takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 10 of 28 Image 11 of 28 Jack McInerney takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Jack McInerney takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 12 of 28 Benji Joya runs during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Benji Joya runs during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 13 of 28 Oakland Roots players stretch during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players stretch during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 14 of 28 Devante Dubose takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Devante Dubose takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 15 of 28 Image 16 of 28 Players leave their shoes off the field during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Players leave their shoes off the field during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 17 of 28 Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo looks on during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo looks on during the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 18 of 28 Player/coach Víctor Bernárdez takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Player/coach Víctor Bernárdez takes part in the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 19 of 28 Oakland Roots players take part in the first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players take part in the first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 20 of 28 Image 21 of 28 Jack McInerney (center) takes part in a drill during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Jack McInerney (center) takes part in a drill during the Oakland Roots first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 22 of 28 The Oakland Roots Víctor Bernárdez (center) practices with his teammates for the first time at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. The Oakland Roots Víctor Bernárdez (center) practices with his teammates for the first time at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 23 of 28 Oakland Roots players participate in the club’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players participate in the club’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 24 of 28 Oakland Roots players practice during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots players practice during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 25 of 28 Image 26 of 28 Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo talks with his team during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots head coach Paul Bravo talks with his team during their first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 27 of 28 Oakland Roots player Octavio Guzman has his headshot take after the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Oakland Roots player Octavio Guzman has his headshot take after the team’s first ever practice at the College of Alameda on July 25, 2019. Photo: SFGate Image 28 of 28 “Optimism reigns” at Oakland Roots first practice 1 / 28 Back to Gallery

Among the most notable additions to the team are former MLS players Victor Bernardez, Jack McInerney, and Benji Joya.

Bernardez, who was captain for Honduran national teams in two World Cup and anchored the backline for the San Jose Earthquakes for several seasons. As a player-coach for the Roots, he is expected to anchor the defensive line while also helping out the young players on the squad adjust to becoming a pro. “It’s been long awaited for the community in Oakland,” he said. “Ever since they told me about the project I’ve been all aboard.”

McInerney was the first-ever draft choice for the Philadelphia Union for their inaugural MLS season in 2010. He is proven goal scorer, with twenty-nine goals in ninety-five games for the Union and ten in thirty games for the USL’s Indy Eleven. The veteran striker is expected to add a goal-scoring punch for the Roots. “The city’s excited, the fans are excited, to be around something new,” he noted.

Joya, a former standout out the US men’s youth national team, played in the MLS for the Chicago Fire and in Mexico’s Liga MX for Santos Laguna. He is expected to orchestrate the team offensively as an attacking midfielder. “It’s an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he said.

Joya noted he is also excited to serve as a role model to young players and fans of the team. “There is a lot of talent here in the Bay Area, and I think the Roots is a good opportunity for them to, one, get to know what Roots is about, and, two, hopefully in the future participate, try out, and look for a spot in the starting eleven.”

Former Liga-MX and MLS player Benji Joya talks about joining the Oakland Roots @oaklandrootssc #knowyourroots #bayareafutbol pic.twitter.com/bfdRgyisXk — Douglas Zimmerman (@zimpix) July 26, 2019

Octavio Guzman, who grew up in the East Bay, is excited to play close to home and represent Oakland. He explained playing for the Roots is similar to when he joined the USL’s Sacramento Republic during their first campaign in 2014. “We were trying to get people to believe in our plans, and I feel it’s a similar situation here,” he said. “I’m here to do whatever I can to help the club grow.”

Roots will be among eight teams competing in the NISA this fall. Oakland will play three Southern California teams from Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. The league will then take a break for the winter before starting up early next year with a longer spring season and more teams.

“I look at is as a rebirth,” explained Joya, who is looking forward to the challenge. “I think the meaning of Roots, to me, has been what’s motivating me. Being part of Roots is a way for me and my teammates to make history.”

“The goal is to win,” added McInerney. “Go out every weekend, and put on a performance the city will be proud of.”

Oakland Roots inaugural schedule:

Home Games (at Laney College Football Field):

Saturday, Aug. 31st vs. Cal United Strikers FC – 7 pm

Sunday, Sept. 8th vs. International Club (friendly) – 5 pm

Sunday, Oct. 13th vs. International Club (friendly) – 5 pm

Saturday, Oct. 19th vs. Los Angeles – 7 pm

Away games:

Wed. Sept. 25th vs. Cal United Strikers FC (Orange County)

Sat. Sept. 28th vs. 1904 FC (San Diego)

Sat. Oct. 5th vs. Los Angeles

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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