A first-half own goal by El Paso Locomotive FC sees Las Vegas Lights FC coast to victory for the first time in 2024
Las Vegas Lights FC defeated El Paso Locomotive FC 1-0 on Saturday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nev., behind an own goal from goalkeeper Javier Garcia.
Vegas had its first opportunity in the 23rd minute when JC Ngando slipped the ball into Khori Bennett, but El Paso’s Garcia sprang off his line and grabbed it off Bennett’s foot.
Lights FC went ahead in the 33rd minute when a recycled cross from Ngando off a free kick found Fabien Garcia, whose header ricocheted off the far post and deflected into the net off the leg of El Paso’s Garcia.
Vegas midfielder Coleman Gannon nearly doubled the advantage in the 49th minute when his shot from the center of the box was deflected and went out for a corner.
One of El Paso’s best chances came in the 57th minute when Las Vegas goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena snuffed out a through ball from Tumi Moshobane to Justin Dhillon.
Lights FC was inches away from taking a 2-0 lead in the 69th minute when Garcia dove down to his left to deny a Bennett header off a cross from Valentin Nöel.
In the 79th minute, Moshobane took a free kick from 30 yards that rattled the outside of the near post netting.
Las Vegas (1-2-0) will visit Oakland Roots next Saturday at 7 p.m. PT.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Sanchez off the mark
It was a milestone evening for Dennis Sanchez, who earned his first career win as a head coach. The former Austin FC II assistant is in his first season in charge in Las Vegas and notched his inaugural three points at home.
Ngando impresses
After signing on a yearlong loan from Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC earlier this month, Ngando put on a show in front of the home crowd. The 24-year-old central midfielder was the 13th pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft and was instrumental on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball on Saturday, creating three chances and notching five interceptions on the evening.
First clean sheet
Vegas earned its first shutout of the early season on Saturday, keeping El Paso off the score sheet and devoid of any clear-cut opportunities. Locomotive FC finished with just two shots on goal.
