The Soul Of Oakland – The Oakland Roots SC Pro Soccer Team, billed as a “community effort” that included former Oakland A’s Executive Andy Dolich, sold out its inaugural game against the Cal United Strikers FC that starts tonight at Laney College, at the Laney College Football Field.
A small set of Oakland Roots inaugural game tickets will be handed out at the Oakland Roots Pro Soccer Block Party to be held tonight (Saturday, August 3rd, 2019) at East 10th Street, and between Oak Street and 2nd Avenue, including the Oakland Museum of California.
The Laney College block party event will be well attended, and over 150 Oakland School kids are the special guests of the Oakland Roots organization. As Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) told Oakland News Now:
Saturday night, August 31 is when the new Oakland Roots Professional Soccer Team will play its first game in history at Laney College. The team has taken great interest in the young people of Oakland, having donated 150 tickets to Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students and promising to bring many more students to subsequent games. The students who will be among the thousands of fans in the stands come from La Escuelita and MetWest High School which are across the street from the Laney College field, and students from Street Academy, Bunche Academy, Rudsdale School, Dewey Academy, Life Academy and Golden State Preparatory Academy all through a partnership with Street Soccer USA. The Oakland Roots are also looking to help foster the growth of soccer in Oakland with plans in the works for players to visit schools and work with students. Saturday’s game will be preceded by a street fair on 10th Street at 2nd Avenue directly in front of La Escuelita Restaurant.
What About The The Oakland Roots SC Pro Soccer Team?
The Oakland Roots SC Pro Soccer Team, its schedule, and its first game tonight, is the culmination of an effort that started back in 2016. According to the organization’s website, the process went like this:
SUMMER 2016
A group of passionate Oakland natives got together to bring grassroots semi-professional soccer to Oakland.
FALL 2016
Shifted the idea to a professional team for Oakland.
WINTER 2016
Extensive community engagement around the vision of a community-based pro team built by Oakland, for Oakland.
SPRING | SUMMER 2017
Engagement with multiple professional lower division soccer leagues to determine the best fit for Oakland.
FALL 2017
Continued vision development and refinement to further elevate the project to a “soccer for social good” model.
WINTER 2018
Continued development with additions made to our investment group. Kickoff event held at Clifbar HQ launching the project as a community based initiative.
SUMMER 2018
Public release of Oakland Roots Sports Club.
FALL 2018
Release of Oakland Roots club crest and announcement.
Stay tuned.