HAMTRANCK, Mich. – The Oakland Roots broke open a close game with a pair of second-half goals to record a 3-0 victory over New Amsterdam FC in a Group A match of the National Independent Soccer Association Fall Tournament match at Keyworth Stadium Monday night.

Jack McInerney and Nelson Blanco tallied within 11 minutes of each other to turn a 1-0 lead into a three-goal bulge.

Oakland leads Michigan Stars FC, which blanked host Detroit City FC, 2-0, in the opening game of the doubleheader, by goal differential in the standings.

Matt Fondy gave the Roots all the scoring they needed in the 32nd minute before McInerney doubled the score in the 65th minute and Blanco added No. 3 in the 76th minute.

Group B action will start Tuesday night.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.