Las Vegas Lights FC fell to New Mexico United, 2-1, on Saturday night, nearly completing the comeback from 2-0 down after Gaoussou Samaké’s lifeline strike around the halftime interval provided a spark. A game that also featured Lights goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena stopping a penalty early in the second half, Las Vegas grew into the match but could not come up with enough for a result.
Early on, New Mexico pressured the Lights goal with a few looks in and around goal in the opening 10 minutes, though Las Vegas was poised to keep the visitors away.
However, in the 13th minute, United would open the scoring through forward Daniel Bruce, who put buried a horizontal flicked ball into the box at the back post to beat Las Vegas goalkeeper Arozarena to put his side ahead.
The two sides began to settle into the match, but New Mexico would then strike a second time out of very little created as the forward Bruce doubled his tally. Attacker Houssou Landry nudged a headed pass forward into the path of Bruce, who was still around 23 yards out from goal. Seeing Arozarena where he was, Bruce opted to fire toward goal and buried the chance to the goalkeeper’s left as the away side jumped to a two goal lead in the game’s opening half-hour.
The half would not end without a response, however, as Las Vegas found its opening goal of the contest through a poised finish via the wide midfielder Samaké. Midfielder Valentin Noël picked up the ball inside his own half and threaded a perfect pass between the defense to catch the run of Samaké down the left side. Samaké then picked up the ball and sprinted into the box where he cut onto his right foot and buried the opportunity low to the far post to halve the deficit.
Las Vegas would then see out the duration of the half despite a late charge from New Mexico and remained down a goal into the break.
Drama ensued immediately into the second half when New Mexico were awarded a penalty kick in the 48th minute as Mukwelle Akale was judged to have been fouled by Gennaro Nigro in the box. Stepping up to take was Akale, but his spot kick was heroically saved by Arozarena, who deflected the attempt off the crossbar. Though it eventually fell back into play, a follow up effort was missed by Marco Micaletto and Las Vegas could breathe a sigh of relief.
The Lights continued to build throughout the second half and created multiple quality chances in front of the New Mexico goal, even late into the match. Even into the 10 minutes of added time played at the end of the second half, Las Vegas forced United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis into action. However, the home side could not ultimately produce an equalizing goal and failed to complete the comeback in the end.
Las Vegas will now turn its focus to a massive midweek clash with Major League Soccer side LAFC in the Round of 32 in this year’s edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Tickets to the midweek fixture can be purchased at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets or by clicking here.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Chance creation improved
Las Vegas produced 14 shots, 5 of which were on target, while scoring one goal on the night, but their expected goals would tell you the side deserved more. Las Vegas applied more pressure to the New Mexico goal as the match wore on and were the dominant of the two sides in the second half, despite being unable to produce a goal.
Defensive efficiency
Las Vegas won the physical battle, edging out New Mexico in 53.6 percent of the duels on the evening and recording an advantage of 10-4 in interceptions. In addition, the Lights made 22 tackles to New Mexico’s 15 and achieved a higher tackles success rate (72.7 percent – 60 percent).
Building momentum
Though the side will rue an opportunity at points, it was a good performance to bounce back from the lopsided defeat the weekend prior. With a historic match against familiar foes LAFC around the corner, Las Vegas will be able to build off the evening and into Wednesday night.
SCORING SUMMARY
NM – Daniel Bruce 13’ (Assist: Abdirizak Mohamed)
NM – Daniel Bruce 30’ (Assist: Houssou Landry)
LV – Gaoussou Samaké 44’ (Assist: Valentin Noël)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – Charlie Adams (caution) 23’
NM – Anthony Herbert (caution) 39’
LV – Coleman Gannon (caution) 65’
LV – Gaoussou Samaké (dissent) 72’
LV – Emrah Klimenta (dissent) 72’
NM – Arturo Astorga (caution) 82’
NM – Alex Tambakis (time wasting) 89’
NM – Zico Bailey (time wasting) 90+4’
NM – Jackson DuBois (caution) 90+4’
LINEUPS AND STATS
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart (Fabien Garcia 59’), Joe Hafferty, Emrah Klimenta, Gennaro Nigro; Jean-Claude Ngando, Charlie Adams, Valentin Noël; Joe Gyau (Coleman Gannon 34’), Gaoussou Samaké (Edison Azcona 77’), Riki Alba (Khori Bennett 59’)
Substitutes not used: Nicholas Ammeter, Hayden Sargis, Alexander Romero, Ali Gue, Solomon Asante
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 12
Corner kicks: 10
Saves: 10
New Mexico United – Alex Tambakis; Arturo Astorga, Anthony Herbert, Jon-Talen Maples, Abdirizak Mohamed; Zico Bailey (Jackson DuBois 90+4’), Marco Micaletto (Dominick Hernandez 71’); Houssou Landry, Mukwelle Akale, Dayonn Harris (Jacobo Reyes 70’); Daniel Bruce (Greg Hurst 86’)
Substitutes not used: Kristopher Shakes, Jackson DuBois, Avionne Flanagan, Yuto Oketani
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 10
Fouls: 14
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 4
