The Lights hit the posts twice but were unable to get past goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, ending things in a stalemate
Las Vegas Lights FC drew 0-0 against Oakland Roots at Cashman Field on Wednesday night.
The Lights generated significant chances throughout the match, but were unable to score.
In the 50th minute, Christian Pinzon’s botched shot from the penalty spot landed on Johnny Rodriguez, whose close-range shot was miraculously saved by Roots goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. Pinzon’s rebound shot was cleared off the line by Neveal Hackshaw.
Vegas would soon hit the posts twice. In the 65th minute, Oalex Anderson’s diving header crashed against McIntosh’s post. Six minutes later, Christian Pinzon’s free kick attempt hit the crossbar. Unlucky.
Despite the team’s attacking disposition the match ended in a stalemate, with both sides splitting points on the road to the 2026 playoffs.
What They’re Saying
FORWARD CHRISTIAN PINZON
On the team’s improvement in the recent five-game unbeaten streak…
Although we didn’t win tonight and the game before, I think not losing these past 5 games is a good start to this momentum that we’re kind of looking for.
And, like I said, man, it’s just keep this train going and look forward to the next game.
On the frustration of hitting the post multiple times…
Yeah, man, but that’s footy.
You know, you just have to keep going, keep trying to get these shots on goal, and goals will come, you know, goals will come.
We just have to stick with the plan and focus on the next play.
On what was different in getting a draw after two losses to the Roots….
I think each game is different.
You can play the opponent three times and each game is different, like I said.
So, we just have to focus on ourselves and our game plan.
And we knew we haven’t won against these guys, so we kind of had that as a chip on our shoulder… can’t wait to play against them again, so we definitely win that game.
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On Charlie Lanphier’s performance…
Yeah, he played great. He took stitches in the head against Detroit and saved a goal and was brave.
And then he was out for a while, and obviously Triston Henry came on and has done well for us too. But, then he [Henry] took a knock in the Phoenix game.
But Charlie… Charlie has really risen to the challenge in his last two to three games. So, he’s a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential, and I think the more he plays, then he’s going to get confidence.
On how the team has improved in the recent five game unbeaten…
We made some adjustments in our lineup, in our formation. We played a little bit with more energy, more front-foot energy.
We tried to make things a little more clear defensively for the guys. And really, the last two games leading up to these five games, we played well.
We just gave up bad goals on errors. We can’t beat ourselves, you know, so we try to be a little bit more sure of that.
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Lanphier (GK), Pope (Sessock, 60′), Ofeimu, Guillen, Antonoglou, Ybarra (Mines, 77′), Probo, Locker (Leal, 60′), Pinzon (c) (Okyere, 77′), Anderson, Rodriguez (Arteaga, 88′)
Oakland Roots SC Starting XI:
McIntosh (GK), Tingey (de Vicente, 52′), Edwards, Hackshaw, Jacquesson (Lapa, 66′), Byaruhanga, Valot (c), Bettache (Lepley, 66′), Bravo (Garcia, 84′), Wilson, Prentice (Kiil, 84′)
Discipline:
OAK – Yellow, Prentice – 44’
OAK – Yellow, Lepley – 67’
OAK – Yellow, Valot – 70’
OAK – Yellow, de Vicente – 90+1’
LV – Yellow, Anderson – 90+2’
Next Up
The Lights will return to Cashman Field for Galactic Night on Saturday, August 15 against Brooklyn FC. Get tickets NOW at lightsfc.com/tickets.
