Bay Area

Oakland Has Plans to Bring Roots and Soul Soccer to the Oakland Coliseum Area

The Oakland City Council’s Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee on Sept. 12 at 1:30 p.m. will discuss a resolution authorizing an Agreement with Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club and Alameda County to lease land in the Coliseum area for use for the teams to play soccer games, welcoming thousands of fans to these locally oriented and growing teams.

Published

3 years ago

October 11, 2023

Oakland Post

From left to right: Oakland Soul players Aliyah Jones, Kaytlin Brinkman, Cecilia Gee, Maleni Morales, and Sam Tran. Photo courtesy of Oakland Soul.

By Post Staff

The proposal would then go to the full City Council to authorize Alameda County, and the Roots and Soul Soccer Sports Club to work out the details of the use of the property, known as the Malibu Lot, allowing the soccer club to return to Oakland and build a facility to play in the Coliseum Area.

During the proposed term of the lease, which is for up to 10 years, the facility would function as the home field for the Oakland Roots men’s and Oakland Soul women’s soccer teams.

“We are excited to have the Oakland Roots and Soul plan for a strong future in Oakland and appreciate their commitment to the community,” said Vice-Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, who also serves as the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority (OACCA) Board chair.

“Having soccer in the Coliseum area aligns with our goals to keep this centrally located area vibrant,” she said.

Previously, Roots/Soul soccer entered into an agreement with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) to work together to enhance the future of the coliseum area.

AASEG has been selected by the Oakland City Council to lead the long-term development of the Coliseum property, with jobs, housing, commercial development, sports, and entertainment.