Monterey Bay FC defeated Las Vegas Lights FC 3-1 on Saturday night at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. Alex Dixon, Tristan Trager and Michael Gonzalez scored for the hosts, while Gaoussou Samaké tallied for Vegas.
Monterey Bay struck first after Shawn Smart fouled Chase Boone in the box in the eighth minute. Dixon converted from the spot in the 10th minute for his first goal on the year.
Raiko Arozarena made a great save at the near post in the 16th minute to keep the deficit at one when he denied Adrian Rebollar.
Smart had a great chance on the attacking end in the 25th minute when he drove the right side of the box and picked out Valentin Noël, but the Frenchman’s one-timed effort went over the bar.
Monterey Bay doubled the advantage in the 45th minute when Carlos Guzmán slipped in Trager, who dinked the ball over the head of Emrah Klimenta before beating Arozarena.
The Lights responded immediately, finding the back of the net just one minute later to revert the deficit to one. Charlie Adams played in Samaké over the top, and his left-footed effort beat goalkeeper Antony Siaha at the far post.
Las Vegas came out strong to start the second half, with Noël forcing Siaha into a tough save in the 53rd minute.
Trager got through on goal in the 60th minute, but Arozarena came up big to deny him on the doorstep.
Monterey Bay reclaimed its two-goal lead in the 74th minute when Boone’s cross picked out Gonzalez at the far post. The goal was the first professional goal for the 23-year-old Fresno, Calif., native.
Things got tougher for the Lights as Klimenta picked up his second yellow card in the aftermath of the goal and was sent off. He will miss next weekend’s match against Rhode Island FC.
The Lights will take a break from league play this Wednesday when they host USL League One side Spokane Velocity (7:30 p.m. PT; ESPN+ | TICKETS) in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Shutout streak snapped
After posting three consecutive clean sheets, the Lights finally conceded for the first time in 314 minutes. They hadn’t been scored on since the 56th minute against FC Tulsa in the second match of the season.
Adams makes first start
The Lights captain was set to make his club debut in the season-opener, but he was injured during warmups. After making his first 2024 appearance last week, the veteran Englishman earned his first start.
Samaké strikes again
Samaké got on the score sheet for the second week in a row. The Ivorian has found a nice home on the left wing in his first season in Vegas.
SCORING SUMMARY
MB – Alex Dixon 10’ (penalty)
MB – Tristan Trager 45’ (assist: Carlos Guzmán)
LV – Gaoussou Samaké 45’+1’
MB – Michael Gonzalez 74’ (assist: Carlos Guzmán)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – Hayden Sargis (caution) 21’
LV – Emrah Klimenta (caution) 55’
LV – Emrah Klimenta (second caution; ejection) 75’
MB – Miguel Guerrero (caution) 90’+2’
LINEUPS AND STATS
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart, Hayden Sargis (Gennaro Nigro 45’), Fabien Garcia, Emrah Klimenta; Valentin Noël, Coleman Gannon, J.C. Ngando, Charlie Adams (Solomon Asante 64’), Gaoussou Samaké; Riki Alba (Khori Bennett 70’)
Substitutes not used: Nicholas Ammeter, Maliek Howell, All Gue, Zander Romero
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 18
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 2
Monterey Bay FC – Antony Siaha; Morey Doner, Alex Lara, Kai Greene, Carlos Guzmán; Rafael Baca, Adrian Rebollar (Miguel Guerreo 67’), Mobi Fehr (Michael Gonzalez 66’); Tristan Trager (Luther Archimède 77’), Alex Dixon, Chase Boone
Substitutes not used: Fabian Nare, Ryan Dieter, Pierce Gallaway, Anthony Orendain
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 3
