Oakland Roots is pleased to announce the signings of Niall Irwin, John Quintanilla and Robert Hines. All three players will be available for joining up with the Oakland Leopards to represent Oakland in the 2019 US Open Cup.  “These three signings round out our roster with a huge exclamation point,” said Benno Nagel, Oakland Roots Club President and Director of Soccer.  “We are ready for the Fall and with the total number of players we have brought in, combined with the guys we are continuing to recruit, we have a very very talented team coming together for what we’re doing moving forward.”

Niall Irwin was a two time All American at Merritt College of Oakland and possesses one of the highest level signings made by Roots this Fall. The native of Ireland brings a pedigree not often seen at the semiprofessional levels, possessing a professional playing level despite his current focus in youth soccer coaching. “Niall is a guy who has the level to step into any USL side in the nation and probably even the squads of most MLS teams.  He’s done really well with coaching and has put a halt on his playing days a bit but he still has the level for pro soccer and we’re very lucky to have him in our setup moving forward.”  

John Quintanilla is another Holy Names University alumni coming back to Oakland following his transfer to NCAA Division 1 Sacramento State.  Quintanilla, a central defender, trialed at Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb as a youth player and is another Roots player on the cusp of earning a professional soccer contract.  “John has been on the verge for a while now of getting on with a pro side.  He’s been going through the Path 2 Pro setup and has great representation who are working on getting him to the next level.  He has everything you look for in a central defender; size, strength, pace and power.  Most importantly, he can play with his feet.  That’s big for us.  He checks the boxes on everything we’re looking for.”

Robert Hines is a Notre Dame de Namur college graduate who spent the 2018 PDL season with local bay area side SF City FC.  Another Path 2 Pro player, Hines possess a level of athleticism that when coupled with his poise on the ball, slots him in as a top level pro prospect at the outside fullback position.  “Robert has some very interesting tools.  He has pure athleticism which draws immediate attention to him.  But beyond that, he is a quality soccer player.  Solid defensively, moves well with the back line and has the ability to find progressive balls forward into the forward line and midfield lines.”  

Please join us in welcoming Niall, John and Robert to the Oakland Roots family!