SAN ANTONIO – Peter Wilson scored a stoppage-time penalty kick to lift Oakland Roots SC to a 1-0 victory against San Antonio FC on Saturday night at Toyota Field, ending an eight-game winless streak across all competitions for the visitors as Wilson bagged his 11th goal of the campaign.
The hosts almost took an early lead when Diogo Pacheco’s initial effort was parried by Roots goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh before he recovered to stop Cristian Parano’s rebound effort in the seventh minute. Chances proved few and far between after that early flurry, however, with Oakland’s first good look at goal not arriving until the second half when Peter Wilson’s turning effort was saved by San Antonio’s Joey Batrouni.
Tyler Gibson also went close for the visitors with 12 minutes to go, but then San Antonio was reduced to 10 players when Lucio Berrón was shown his second yellow card of the game for an off-ball challenge. Oakland was then awarded a penalty kick as the game ticked into stoppage time as Wilson was brought down by Batrouni has he pursued a loose ball near the goal line, and the Liberian international put home his finish to the left side of the net to grab a crucial three points for Oakland’s playoff chances.
Takeaways
San Antonio FC – The hosts suffered back-to-back defeats in the league for the first time this season as they struggled to find connection in the attacking third, with an early double-chance for Diogo Pacheco and Cristian Parano the best chances the side produced on the night. San Antonio now goes into a crucial game against New Mexico United next Saturday having been held scoreless in consecutive outings when first place was within reach.
Oakland Roots SC – The visitors earned what was an essential victory to their playoff chances as Peter Wilson’s penalty kick gave the side its first win since June 20. Oakland remains below the playoff line in the Western Conference but will take some confidence from its display as it prepares to host a struggling Orange County SC next Saturday.