RootsPod

Jon and Peter talk through their feelings about the Roots before eventually realizing things are ok right now. Peter makes another good Jagermeister Cup joke, but we can’t use all of them as episode titles. Concerts are discussed.

Things are decidedly better than they were two weeks ago! We discuss the shifts in formation and overall strategy, contemplate where improvement can still be had, marvel at the geography of League One, and compare notes on the ways in which we usually spend our Sundays.

It’s getting pretty bleak out there, friends. Also the Roots haven’t been playing very good soccer! We discuss.

No answers were provided to the burning questions raised last episode, but the general consensus is that the Las Vegas match was still a step in the right direction.

The Bloggers are 4 this week, as Ivan joins the Pod. Concerns are raised about the direction of the attack. Somehow, fewer concerns are raised about the defense. Based exclusively on Peter’s narration of the highlights of Las Vegas’s last loss, we convince ourselves that Vegas is shaky at the back, and there is an … More RootsPod 84: I’ve Seen A Lot of Similar Movies in My Time

Peter and Jon are joined by Jack to talk over Oakland Roots’ loss at Monterey, USL implementing promotion/relegation, and the home opener at the Oakland Coliseum.

A rundown of the questions still to be answered about this year’s Oakland Roots side. Peter gets briefly existential.

Season preview time! A discussion of the big moves this Roots’ offseason, and of our predictions for the coming season.

Jon and Peter have THOUGHTS about Roots’ 5-0 loss in the regular season finale. And we all agree that Roots’ best chance against Colorado Springs is to keep it a tight, low-scoring affair. Ya gotta believe.

Sandwiched around a truly unexpected detour regarding the New York Jets, we discuss whether there is any reason for optimism left this season (views differ), and whether we’ve seen enough to start thinking about what changes should be made next season, even if the Roots make the ‘yoffs (views do not differ).

Aaron, Jack, Jon, and Schrodinger’s Bloom ask where its all gone wrong, what needs to be fixed, and discuss reasons to be optimistic about the end of the season.

We lament the recent loss of defensive stability, and wonder why the Roots refuse to just hoof-and-hope, but also sing the praises of new man Sinisterra. Peter pods in hushed tones so as not to wake his new born.

Woof.

Yet another episode goes by in which, inexplicably, no one mentions Justin Rasmussen’s new hair. Peter also gracefully restrains from subjecting us to a minutes-long rant about Declan Rice’s second yellow against Brighton. Instead, we discuss whether the schedule provides the Roots a reasonable opportunity to take second, and lament the death of cool team … More RootsPod Episode 74: A Deserved 40th

Once again, Glinton zigs when we expect him to zag. We talk about the revolutionary 9 defender lineup, Roots’ new addition, and what new wrinkles we might see in upcoming matches. We suspiciously do *not* talk about Justin Rasmussen’s new hairdo.

We consider the effect of cross-country travel on the Roots’ recent results, and ponder what the most significant tactical shift is that we’ve seen from Roots’ last two wins.

After a week off, the gents are back in the studio* to discuss whether a 2-1 win over Miami (not that Miami) assuages the concerns raised by the previous two matches, the impact of Jeciel Cedeno’s move to Detroit City, and what the rest of the season looks like.

The major world events will continue until the performances improve. Differing prescriptions are offered to fix what ails the midfield. Prayers for a Dom Dwyer-ssaince are uttered.

We discuss whether our expectations for the season really have changed, and try not to tempt the sports gods when talking about Pittsburgh. Jon demonstrates how to be a frustrating deponent.

We talk about what’s on many minds these days: Should Gregg Berhalter keep his job? After concluding that, no, he should not, we get back to business, and discuss Roots’ continued rise, the challenge posed by upcoming opponent Louisville City, and the Soul’s huge playoff clash with FC Olympia.

We give our midseason MVP awards. Jon admits that you shouldn’t listen to anything he has to say. Peter teaches us a new word.

We discuss Jon’s vendetta against the USL W League, the emergence of Trayvone Reid, the appearance of Dom Dwyer, and the best way to get to Monterey.

A winning streak! A palpable winning streak! We discuss the Roots’ newfound formula for success with special guest Juan of Los Roots. Is it ugly? Who cares! Winning is better than losing.

The Soul provide a breath of fresh air, but we’re not ready to hit the panic button on Roots’ season just yet. There is some disagreement about whether we’ll see Dom Dwyer any time soon, though.

We discuss the managerial change, whether any other personnel changes might be in the offing, and the current reasons for real optimism (the Dom Dwyer signing, and positive momentum on the Malibu Lot). Peter mispronounces “maelstrom.”

The Bloggers welcome very special guest Camden Riley, center back for your Oakland Roots, to the Pod! We talk about Camden’s soccer journey from Dallas to Oakland, the state of soccer in the U.S., and Camden’s outlook for the team this year. Camden also mispronounces Emre Can’s name in an unlikely way.

Welp.

Welp.

Who has impressed? Who still needs to play themselves into form? What new questions do we have about the Oakland Roots after 2 matches? The Bloggers tackle these difficult questions in this episode.

The Bloggers take a peek at some of the big stories swirling around the upcoming USL season, and discuss their predictions for the Western Conference. Peter surprised us with a creditable preview of Indy Eleven, while Jon challenges himself to see how far away from his mic he can sit and still record the pod.

The Bloggers go through the Roots’ 2024 roster, introducing the newcomers and guessing at how the roster will fit together. Jon bravely predicts that the Roots will do well if they prevent goals while also scoring goals.

We reminisce about the good times before tackling the biggest question hanging over the team headed into 2024

In part one of the RootsPod season review, the crew (joined by three (!) special guests) try to contextualize Roots’ late-season collapse and ultimate 10th-place finish.

Frustrations are aired