Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez
On overall impressions on the match…
I have the same feeling that the players have. They’re gutted. We came in with a pretty specific gameplan of how to nullify a very good attacking Tampa team. While there were moments of not having possession, we really didn’t give up any clear opportunities. The guys worked their butts off tonight. I’m proud of the effort. There are definitely things that we can take away from this game to continue to push forward.
On any positives from the game…
Collectively, defensively, we were strong tonight. We knew coming in, especially on the road, that Tampa is a good side. We wanted to ensure that we were defensively very organized. There are times where we can sustain possession and allow us to breathe a little bit, but we created a good handful of chances that on any other night we’re putting in the back of the net. We can walk away knowing that we’re arriving in good areas, but we just need that little last push.
On goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena’s performance against his former team…
It starts with everybody attacking, everybody defending. Raiko had a good presence tonight. I’ll have to go back and watch exactly how the goal happened, but overall his presence was good.
On early injury updates for Gaoussou Samaké and Maliek Howell…
Howell was just a cramp. Samaké we’re waiting to hear more from the doctors.
On turning the page to a home match against the title-holders in Phoenix Rising next week…
We have to continue to roll up our sleeves, find ways to get results. As you’ve seen over the last few games, we’re really close to turning a match like tonight into a win, so we have to just keep pushing forward.