With the Lights in need of a win to close the gap to the playoff places, the team was unable to find the back of the net after conceding a first half penalty.
Las Vegas Lights FC lost 1-0 on the road at the Pittsburgh Riverhound’s Highmark Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Lights struggled with injuries early in the first half, first losing Coleman Gannon 18 minutes in before Edison Azcona was also forced off the field at the quarter hour mark.
With the Lights down to 10 men while trying to get Azcona’s replacement subbed on, defender Younes Boudadi took down Junior Etou with a sliding challenge in the box, gifting the Hounds a penalty. Augustine Williams stepped up and scored, despite goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena getting a hand to the effort.
From there, Arozarena came up with some key stops in the second half to keep the game in touching distance. However, despite a few late chances, Las Vegas was unable to find the equalizer they needed to get themselves back in the game.
What They’re Saying
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On his overall thoughts on the match…
It’s obviously disappointing. It wasn’t good enough, and it hasn’t been good enough all year long.
We have to do better for our fans. We have to do better for the club. It’s a little bit embarrassing, so we have to self-reflect and see what we can do better.
On how the team moves forward to Rhode Island…
We have to keep fighting, and we have to keep getting better. That’s all there is to it.
It’s not necessarily about Rhode Island; it should be about us getting better. Obviously, we have to look and see what they do and how we can punish them, but right now it’s all about us.
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Boudadi (Pickering 70′), Herbert, Gartig (c), Jones, Probo, O’Driscoll, Leal (Pearson 70′), Azcona (Gaines 32′), Gannon (Nigro 18′), Rodriguez
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Starting XI:
Randolph (GK), Ydrach, Suber, Vacter, Biasi, Etou (Osumanu 80′), Griffin, Sample (Walti 80′), Ahl (Boone 72′), Mertz (Jacquesson 72′), Williams (Larsen 86′)
Goals:
PIT – Williams (Penalty Kick) – 30′