Hold onto your craft beer and avocado toast, Bay Area fam - the Oakland Roots just dropped the mic on soccer attendance and community spirit!

In a stunning display of pure Oakland magic, the United Soccer League team packed the Coliseum with a jaw-dropping 26,575 fans for their home opener against San Antonio FC. Despite losing 1-2, the Roots proved that Oakland’s passion cannot be contained by mere scorelines.

More Than Just a Game

This wasn’t just a soccer match - it was a cultural resurrection. With legendary Oakland figures like Too Short performing at halftime and local filmmakers Rafael Casal and W. Kamau Bell in attendance, the event felt like a collective exhale after years of sports team heartbreak.

Community Love Runs Deep

The Roots didn’t just play soccer; they paid homage to Oakland’s legacy. They retired jersey number 24 in honor of Rickey Henderson and presented a jersey to the parents of Derbing Alvarado, a teenage soccer player tragically killed, showing that this team is about lifting community, not just scoring goals.

A Beacon of Hope

As W. Kamau Bell eloquently put it, this is “bigger than soccer” - it’s about showcasing Oakland’s resilience, joy, and unbreakable spirit. The packed stadium wasn’t just watching a game; they were witnessing a city reclaiming its narrative, one soccer match at a time.