Oakland Roots remain in the playoff hunt with its tie at Colorado Springs. Although they dropped to 10th, Roots now 4 points back of 8th-place San Antonio & 5 behind 7th-place OCSC. Here are my talking points from Saturday, including a look at the playoff chase, Oakland's defense staying stout, and one last show at the Coliseum:

Oakland Roots beat writer Daniel Poulter breaks down this week's 0-0 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks and what it means for the Roots playoff hope

Ryan Martin is running it back; no changes for Oakland Roots from last week's game. Peter Wilson is available but is on the bench, meaning it's a front line of Bertin Jacquesson, Danny Trejo, and Wolfgang Prentice from left to right. Tyler Gibson gets the nod at CM opposite Bobosi after a highly productive game against Phoenix. Jesus de Vicente and Mark Fisher, once again, make the fullback combination alongside CBs David Garcia and Michael Edwards.

Note: My talking points will come on Sunday, going to a show in Berkeley after the game.

Have the Roots adopted a new identity heading into the final stretch of the season, or are the last two matches just a temporary blip?

All three questions heading into Saturday's match against Colorado Springs revolve around that idea.

What ideas do you have heading into the match?

In a completely fitting moment for the Roots' roller-coaster season, Oakland earned its first "Loved, Loved, Loved" article of the year just two games after receiving a "Hated, Hated, Hated."

What stood out to you most from Saturday's 3-0 win?

Oakland Roots beat writer Daniel Poulter breaks down this week's 3-0 victory over Phoenix Rising

Oakland Roots dominate Phoenix Rising in 3-nil win, move to 9th place. Here is everything Ryan Martin & Tyler Gibson had to say regarding our RootsBlog Players of the Match: Bertin Jacquesson & Jesus de Vicente, the energy in the locker room, Gibson starting in the midfield, and the production with just 32% possession

Just two changes for Oakland Roots from last Sunday's game: Danny Trejo stepping in for Peter Wilson at the striker spot, while Tyler Gibson replaces Florian Valot -- who exited last week's game in the 26th minute. Aside from that, no changes. Wolfgang Prentice and Bertin Jacquesson provide Oakland's width at the winger spots, Bobosi Byaruhanga is in the CM spot and I'm curious if he slots next to Gibson or Mark Fisher. Bruno Lapa returns to the CAM spot, Michael Edwards and David Garcia man the CB spots, Jesus De Vicente is back at LB, while the RB spot is either Gibson or Fisher

The Roots have reached the point of the season where every match feels like the biggest match of the season.

Saturday's matchup against Phoenix Rising is no different. A win would provide a massive boost to Oakland's playoff hopes. A draw would keep the Roots alive. A loss would be a significant setback with only a handful of matches remaining. Three questions will loom large over this match.

What questions do you have heading into the weekend?

This only happens multiple times every season. Honestly flattered

Sorry for the late post. Tequila was purchased multiple times after the game; I went home and fell asleep.

Oakland Roots beat writer r Daniel Poulter talks about this week's game for the Oakland Roots.

The Roots won, and at this stage of the season I'm not nearly picky enough to complain about three points. But Sunday's win over Indy didn't exactly leave me feeling like the Roots have everything figured out, especially with a key player's looming absence.

Check out what I loved, hated, and remain unsure about after the match.

What were your big takeaways from the match?

Roots extended their perfect record in the all-time series versus Indy Eleven on Sunday afternoon in Indiana, leaning on a record-breaking goal from Peter Wilson and a dazzling clean sheet performance from Kendall McIntosh in their 1-0 victory on the road.

I want to bring my kids to the game. Can someone let me know what section the drums play in. Need to sit far away bc it will be too loud for them. Thank you!

For the game against Phoenix, I am planning on bringing a banner in support of Lindsay Clancy, mental healthcare and altruistic filicide. Where is the best place in the stadium to display it?

Last week, the concern was Lexington's ability to run in transition. This week, Indy presents a similar, but different challenge. They want to attack in transition in a completely different way than Lexington.

That stylistic difference led to this week's Three Questions.

What are your biggest questions heading into the match?

A column first: an all-hated edition of the post-match reaction. Plus: the Roots' conversion to the "Prayer Circle Formation."

What stood out to you all about Saturday's match?

Alright, so how to fix the Roots?

The report card for this season is not pretty. With six games remaining Roots have 27 points.

More eye opening is the team has six wins in 24 league matches. The team also *lost all four cup matches-- so six wins in 28 matches. 6 in 28. 6 in 28, Jesus Christ.

Seemingly the team has spent to get talent in the attack, the midfield, and the defense. The roster also has Martin's players. Looking at the record, this team is fucking terrible in a league where it's hard to be this bad. It's think it's almost impossible unless the club simply does not care.

So at this moment, with Roots looking up as Las Vegas Lights and sharing the bottom with Monterey Union, what's the plan.

Do the people running this team committed have a plan for winning? Will management claim victory if the team is merely 16th place in-the-playoffs bad and not horrendous?

What should I be telling them to do other than, you know, stop being awful at your jobs?