The Lights kept their league-leading sixth shutout of the season behind a stout defense and goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena’s consistent performance.
In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 Western Conference Final, Las Vegas Lights FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC played to a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Cashman Field on May 10. Both sides came in with something to prove, but neither could find the back of the net in a tightly contested match. The defense was the story of the night, with goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena recording his fifth clean sheet of the season.
Las Vegas had chances through Valentin Noël in the second half, while Colorado Springs tested Arozarena a few times. Arozarena’s most notable save came late in the first half as he bravely charged a potential one-on-one opportunity.
Ultimately, though, neither team found the breakthrough and had to settle for a point apiece.
What They’re Saying
Midfielder Valentin Noël
On his overall thoughts on the match…
A point. I think that’s all we’re going to remember tonight.
It was not really the game we wanted to do, but we come out of it with a clean sheet and a point, so we’ll definitely look at that as a positive.
On what’s working for the team defensively…
To jump on the momentum of the previous games, it’s really about having a strong base. I think the team understands really what Coach Nocerino wants and the defensive behavior we’re trying to implement. It’s working right now.
On whether the team needs to take more risks in the offensive third as Head Coach Nocerino suggested…
I agree [with Nocerino’s assessment]. I also think that whenever we get the ball, we try to find the “golden” ball right away. If you don’t find it, then the opponent gets the ball back right away, and it takes multiple minutes to get it back again.
I understand the point where you have a counter attack and you can break through – go. But, at the same time, we have to find a way to establish ourselves in the opponent’s half, pin them back, make them run, like what Colorado did to us today.
Because, when you get on the ball you recover. When you don’t get on the ball, you just run and run. When you get the ball [back], you’re less sharp with your decision making.
It’s trying to find the right balance between those two aspects of the game.
HEAD COACH ANTONIO NOCERINO
On his overall thoughts on the match…
It’s a balanced game. Both teams didn’t have a lot of opportunities… For us, especially in this moment, it’s a good point because the team has a bit of difficulty with injuries. It’s another point, it’s about continuity for us – it’s important.
On his feelings about the performance of the team…
Honestly, I’m not happy because I don’t like when the team doesn’t understand what the good situation is and the good moments to create opportunities.
The ball is being played too slowly and I don’t like when you play too slowly with the ball… When you don’t move fast with the ball, with good technique, with good timing, it’s difficult. Tonight I didn’t like the movement with the ball.
I’m happy with the result for continuity, for the clean sheet, but honestly, I want more.
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Nigro, Howell, Gartig, Boudadi, Pearson (Pickering, 67′), Leal, Noël (c), Gyau, Azcona (Brewer, 74′), Rodriguez
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Starting XI:
Herrera, Lacroix, Metusala, Mahoney, Real, Fontana (Dhillon, 71′), Rocha (Micaletto, 57′), Zandi, Hanya, Tejada (Huerman, 78′), Endeley (Foster, 78′)
Discipline:
COS – Yellow, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Head Coach – 14’
LVFC –Yellow, Gennaro Nigro – 44’
LVFC –Yellow, Edison Azcona – 53’
LVFC –Yellow, Valentin Noël – 69’
COS – Yellow, Matthew Real – 80′
COS – Yellow, Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach – 83′
Next Up
The Lights’ next match will be in Sacramento, California for the team’s first matchup of the season against traditional powerhouse Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, May 17.
The team returns home to Cashman Field on Saturday, May 24 against El Paso Locomotive FC for Card Collector Night.