Team Spirit

Supporting Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots soccer teams is good for the family

To create lasting memories while reverse-engineering the rapid departure of professional sports teams from Oakland—think Warriors, Raiders and soon, the A’s—sign up for a membership and purchase tickets to support the East Bay’s new Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots soccer teams. 

There may be few outings as perfectly designed for family fun and intergenerational bonding as an outdoor athletic event. With guaranteed moments of high drama, heroic physical feats, thrilling competition, hometown spirit running rampant and an environment that invites talking, singing, dancing, cheering and even heckling if good-spirited, the soccer teams sweeten the pot with hot dogs, soda, beer, salty or sugary snacks, and swanky cool merch like team logo-emblazoned shirts, hats and outerwear.

Top among the goals of the Oakland Roots and Soul Foundation of which the teams are an outward expression is using the power of athletic sport to achieve social good, racial justice and gender equity. Signing up for an Oakland Soul GA, Mosaic or Field Level membership or choosing to participate in one of Oakland Roots’ Club 510 levels are ways families can grow together while having fun and supporting teams with the same interests. 

The Oakland Soul team is part of the USL W League invested in building women’s soccer in the United States. With 44 teams across 20 states in its inaugural 2024 season, the USL W League plans to bring elite women’s soccer to communities across the country and create more opportunities for women to participate in a sport long dominated by men’s teams. While Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots currently play respectively at Laney College and CSU East Bay, the Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club have submitted an official proposal to enter into a 10-year lease to play at the Malibu Lot adjacent to the Oakland Coliseum. 

Future plans and dreams are fine reasons for buy-in and to support keeping professional sports teams with deep investment and interest in the East Bay community going strong. But in the short term, families—and especially kids—seek immediate gratification. Priced at roughly $25 for general admission (special deals and memberships offer considerable value), adults can be sure their discretionary dollars are well spent.

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