Bay of hope

"Now that we get the World Cup here in the Bay Area, we definitely do see interest from tourists and soccer fans from around the world just digging into what other teams are there around that same area," said Bejarano, who leads the official Los Roots supporter group. "What I hope people take away is just how diverse Oakland is, how special, how fun and how welcoming."

The Roots were founded less than a decade ago, and quickly filled a gap for local sports fans, as Oakland's major American football, baseball and basketball teams relocated to other areas. Attendance skyrocketed when the Roots took over the empty Coliseum stadium for home games.

Previously a longtime season ticket holder for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, Bejarano went all in for the Roots. "Having a team here that dedicates their passion and their love for the city — I can only respect something like that," he said.