Oakland Roots SC

Soccer in Oakland

Oakland’s soccer history dates back to the late 19th century, with early activity in Northern California spurred by amateur clubs and the formation of the California State Football Association in 1902. The early 1900s also saw matches played by British ship crews in the Bay Area, further popularizing the sport. Professional soccer arrived in Oakland in 1967 with the Oakland Clippers of the National Professional Soccer League, who won the 1967 championship before joining the North American Soccer League. The Oakland Buccaneers began play in the 1976 season as an expansion franchise for the American Soccer League (ASL) but folded following the season due to financial issues. The Oakland Stompers followed to play in the North American Soccer League (NASL) 1978 season, but relocated to Edmonton the following year.

Founding and early vision

Oakland Roots SC was founded by Edreece Arghandiwal and Benno Nagel, two Oakland natives with a shared passion for soccer and community-building. Arghandiwal, an entrepreneur with a background in marketing, and Nagel, a former professional coach with experience in Europe and the North American Soccer League (NASL), combined their complementary skill sets to establish a club rooted in local identity. Arghandiwal's connection to the sport was influenced by his family's involvement in Afghan soccer—his father managed a club, and his uncle played for the national team—while Nagel brought technical expertise and…