After last week’s fairytale first-half, the Oakland Roots experienced a first-half reality check against Liga MX side FC Juarez on Sunday evening at Laney Field in Oakland.

Last week the Roots went up 3-0. On Sunday the Roots were down 3-0 within the first 12 minutes.

FC Juarez, a first division Mexico club, trotted out its regular first-choice side and they came out ready to play from the opening whistle. It took little time for the visitors to pounce on any mistake the Roots made.

Striker Diego Rolan scored two goals and Dario Lezcano made the scoreline 3-0 within 12 minutes.

“We knew the opponent was going to be a very difficult opponent,” said Roots head coach Paul Bravo after the game. “But never in my wildest dreams did I expect us to be down 2-0 five minutes into the match.”

However, cheered on by their second consecutive sell out crowd chanting “Let’s Go Oakland!” the Roots regrouped and found their way back into the match in the 26th minute thanks to a goal from captain Benji Joya.

The scoring play started when Oakland forward Jesus Maldanado intercepted a pass on the Juarez’s side of the field. He immediately pressed forward and slotted the ball out towards Dylan Autran. The winger delivered a nice pass to an unmarked Joya at the top of the penalty box who confidently found the back of the net.

“I saw Dylan going down the line and I figured the only option he had was to chip it right at the PK area and I had to make sure I was there,” Joya explained. “When I saw the ball in the area I knew I was going to score it.”

@oaklandrootssc midfielder Benji Joya talks about FC Juarez game and scoring his first goal for the Roots #knowyourroots #bayareafutbol pic.twitter.com/TLZ90NmBXa — Douglas Zimmerman (@zimpix) September 9, 2019

The rest of the first half ended up evenly contested until Uruguayan national Diego Rolan completed his hattrick for Juarez just before the halftime whistle.

To start the second half the Mexican club employed wholesale changes to its side on the pitch. The Roots also started to sub in several players who saw their first action for the team as well.

“The guys who did come in gave us a spark,” said Bravo.

In the 50th minute, Roots substitute Yoshi Chaffin played a quick give and go with Autran and was able to find some space unmarked down the right sideline. He then crossed in front of the goal to Ryan Masch who scored Oakland’s second goal.

Oakland native Julio Cervantes came into the match in the 60th minute and almost drove his large legion of friends and family supporting him wild with an excellent header on target in the 69th minute. However, it was well saved by the Juarez keeper.

“I’m happy for Julio. I’m happy for his family. More importantly, I’m happy for Oakland. They get to see one of their own,” said Coach Bravo after the game. Noting his time playing for the MLS’ San Jose Clash he continued: “Being able to play in front of your friends and family is something you dream about.”

With a final respectable scoreline of 4-2, the Roots walked off the field knowing that despite playing a superior Juarez team there was a multitude of positive lessons to take from the result.

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“I think what this will allow us to do is set the standard and continue to raise the bar for everybody,” noted Bravo.

Oakland native Julio Cervantes talks about his first action for @oaklandrootssc and almost scoring #knowyourroots #bayareafutbol pic.twitter.com/wDfAcFCy6G — Douglas Zimmerman (@zimpix) September 9, 2019

Cervantes agreed with his coach’s assessment. “We learned from our mistakes in the first half. We came out in the second half tactically better.”

“We’ve really come together as a family, not only the team but the fans,” added Joya. “And we’re trying to do our best to make [the fans] proud and happy and enjoy the games.”

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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