Oakland Roots SC held off a late New Mexico United rally to claim a 2–1 victory in USL Championship action on Saturday. Wolfgang Prentice opened the scoring in just the sixth minute, Arturo Astorga doubled the lead in the 80th, and Justin Rennicks pulled one back for New Mexico two minutes later — but it wasn't enough for the visitors.

Roots came out with early intent. Prentice latched onto a pass from Mark Fisher and found the net to put Oakland ahead before the game had barely settled. That goal set the tone for a first half Oakland controlled comfortably, with New Mexico unable to generate a meaningful response before the break.

The second half was a tighter affair. Niko Hämäläinen picked up a yellow card in the 73rd minute as New Mexico's frustration began to show. Then Astorga appeared to put the result beyond doubt in the 80th minute, giving Oakland a two-goal cushion with time running out.

New Mexico, though, weren't done. Just two minutes after Astorga's strike, Rennicks converted from a Jake LaCava delivery to halve the deficit and inject life into the final stretch. The visitors pushed hard for an equalizer, and Oakland's nerves showed — Raphael Spiegel and Thomas McCabe both received yellow cards in first-half stoppage time as Roots did what they needed to do to see the game out.

The win gives Oakland Roots a valuable three points early in the 2026 season and sends a signal that they intend to be competitive at home this campaign.