Quakes and Oakland Roots to play in U.S. Open Cup

San Jose Earthquakes defender Paul Murray heads the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vazquez) )

Oakland A's fans will have another chance to express their feelings to owner John Fisher next month.

But instead of protesting on a baseball diamond, the Oakland faithful will have to hold up chants of “Sell” on a San Jose soccer field.

The Fisher-owned San Jose Earthquakes will host the Oakland Roots of USLC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 7 at Paypal Park.

The Bay Area team was placed in the Lopez Division along with fellow Northern California USLC teams Sacramento Republic FC and Monterey Bay FC.

“John Fisher's Earthquakes vs. Oakland. This has anti-boycott vibes written all over it,” said ABC7 producer and anchor Casey Pratt. I wrote it on X/Twitter.

“I feel like Quakes and Roots fans will be united around one specific cause.”

Supporters of both teams appear to be united in their enthusiasm for Fisher on social media, with fan groups such as Oakland 68 mentioning initial plans for a boycott.

“It's time to take appropriate action against John Fisher,” the Californian Soccer Project, an X/Twitter account that advocates for soccer across California, posted. “Fans unite and chant!”

The newly formed Pioneer League baseball team, the Oakland Ballers, enjoyed the announcement and sarcastically wrote on Twitter/X, “But how do we decide who to root for?”

The Quakes and Roots have faced off once in 2021. The two teams met in a preseason match, with the Quakes winning 3-2 with a goal from Cade Cowell in the 84th minute.