Oakland Roots’ offseason has felt like a full-on reset — new leadership, new ideas, and a roster that’s clearly being reshaped with 2026 in mind. Back on November 24, the club laid out its first wave of roster updates, bringing back a core group (McIntosh, Spiegel, Hackshaw, Bravo, Bobosi, Bettache, and more) while officially moving on from a big chunk of last year’s squad through declined options, terminations, mutual terminations, free agency, and even retirement.
Now we’re seeing what the “next” version of Roots is going to look like — and the latest additions tell you exactly where the priorities are: stabilize the defense, raise the floor, and add players who can handle the ball, not just defend space.
One of the biggest needs for Roots going into 2026 was finding consistency on the left side — somebody who can defend, but also make the team better in possession and actually create chances. That’s why the signing of Spanish-born left back Jesús De Vicente stands out right away. The club is bringing him in after he wrapped up his college career with Virginia, where he produced as a true two-way fullback (1 goal, 7 assists in 19 appearances) and earned ACC All-Tournament Team recognition.
This isn’t just a “young player for depth” type of move. Roots are betting that De Vicente can immediately translate to the pro level because his profile fits what teams want in 2026: calm on the ball, sharp decision-making, and the ability to turn buildup into actual final-third quality. If Roots are trying to control games more often — not just survive them — this is the kind of signing that helps you do it.
Right after that, Roots doubled down with another key defensive piece: Spanish center back David García. He comes in with real professional experience already, most recently playing for Spokane Velocity in USL League One, where he helped them reach the league final. The club also noted he’s approaching 100 professional appearances across competitions (including USL League One, USL Cup, and the U.S. Open Cup).
That matters because Roots aren’t just trying to find “potential” — they’re trying to find reliability. A center back who’s been through playoff runs, played meaningful minutes, and understands how to manage moments is exactly what you want when you’re building a new identity. Pairing that experience with returning pieces like Neveal Hackshaw gives Oakland a chance to be more stable from game one, not game ten.
When Oakland dropped that initial roster update in late November, it was basically the front office saying: “This is the foundation — now we build.” These new additions feel like the next layer of that plan. De Vicente adds pace and creation from wide areas. García adds experience and steel through the middle. And together, they signal a Roots team that wants to be tougher to break down and cleaner with the ball.
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