Oakland Roots SC at New Mexico United
Saturday, 7 p.m TV: ESPN+ (streaming), Estrella TV. Radio: 101.7 FM
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oakland (2-5-2): Defense has been an issue for Roots SC, which has conceded 16 goals, tied for secondmost in the USL Championship. Oakland and winless El Paso are the only two clubs without a clean sheet to their credit this season. Still, Roots SC has a quality goalkeeper in Paul Blanchette, who ranks third in the league with 27 saves, and the club is coming off back-to-back solid performances — a 2-2 draw with San Antonio and a 1-0 loss to MLS San Jose in U.S. Open Cup competition. On the attacking side, Oakland has been a bit like New Mexico in its share-the-wealth philosophy. Johnny Rodriguez leads Roots SC with three goals and 13 shots. No one else has scored more than once. Guillermo Diaz and Jeciel Cedeno have been top playmakers for Oakland with 27 combined chances created. Diaz leads the team with two assists.
New Mexico (5-2-1): United continues to get contributions from numerous sources and is coming off an impressive effort in Wednesday’s 4-2 U.S. Open Cup win over Real Salt Lake. Zico Bailey was the man of the hour, scoring his first two goals of the season, but Bailey has been consistently solid on the defensive end with 14 interceptions and 33 duels won. Veteran Daniel Bruce also has made his presence felt since returning from injury. Bruce got his first two starts of the season in wins over Las Vegas and Salt Lake and made an impact with his aggressive play up front. Bruce racked up two goals and an assist over those two outings. In USLC competition, Bruce is one of nine NMU players to have posted one assist. No one has two. United has scored 11 goals.
NOTEWORTHY: New Mexico will be trying to extend a run of home dominance. Dating back to last season, United has won seven straight home matches, six of them at Isotopes Park and one win in Rio Rancho. Oakland is unbeaten (1-0-2) in three appearances in Albuquerque and won both matchups against NMU last season. … Cards, anyone? Oakland has picked up the most red cards (3) among USLC clubs this season. NMU’s Bailey is tied for the individual league lead with five yellow cards.