The Las Vegas Lights defeated Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 on Wednesday night at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., behind an early goal from Christian Pinzón.
The Lights needed just 10 minutes to open the scoring after some beautiful build-up play in Vegas’s defensive third by Valentin Noël, who played in Pinzón in behind the left side of the Sac Republic defense. Pinzón then cut inside and fired a right-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Danny Vitiello at the near post.
Sacramento’s first look at goal came on a header from Trevor Amann in the 39th minute. Amann rose for a contested header at the back post, but his effort was comfortably saved by Raiko Arozarena.
The Lights nearly doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute when J.C. Ngando made a marauding run before slipping in Khori Bennett, whose shot was kept out by a great sliding save from Vitiello.
Arozarena made a massive save in the 71st minute when he dove to his right to parry away a close header from Luis Felipe on a free kick.
Sac Republic had a chance to level the match in the 74th minute when Cristian Parano saw his shot from the 12 yards out soar over the crossbar.
Luis Felipe fired from distance in the 88th minute, but Arozarena got down to his left to swallow up the attempt.
Rafael Jauregui had a final chance to equalize in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but his header was caught by Arozarena.
The win moves the Lights into sixth place in the USL Championship Western Conference with 24 points from 19 matches. Vegas will have this weekend off before visiting El Paso Locomotive on Friday, July 12 in its second of four away games throughout July. Las Vegas will next return to Cashman Field on Aug. 10 against Detroit City FC. Tickets to the next home match are available at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Pinzón opens his account
After battling injuries to start the year, Pinzón got off the mark in 2024 in pretty fashion. He had shown some great attacking promise over the last few matches, which finally matriculated into his name on the score sheet.
Back-to-back clean sheets
In addition to back-to-back wins, the Lights earned consecutive clean sheets, keeping a very good Sac Republic team off the score sheet just four days after recording a shutout against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Climbing the table
The Lights start their first of four straight road matches with a huge result, earning their first ever win in Sacramento. Las Vegas is now unbeaten in seven matches and has lost just once in its last 10.
SCORING SUMMARY
LV – Christian Pinzón 10’ (Assist: Valentin Noël)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – J.C. Ngando 70’ (caution)
LV – Technical area 70’ (caution)
LV – Raiko Arozarena 71’ (caution)
LV – Gennaro Nigro 75’ (caution)
SAC – Kieran Phillips 81’ (caution)
SAC – Justin Portillo 90’+4’ (caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Shawn Smart, Joe Hafferty, Maliek Howell, Gennaro Nigro; Coleman Gannon (Zander Romero 68’), Dre Fortune (Solomon Asante 56’), J.C. Ngando, Christian Pinzón (Emrah Klimenta 68’); Valentin Noël, Khori Bennett
Substitutes not used: Austin Wormell, Sawyer Crisostomo
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Corner kicks:
Offside: 1
Saves: 5
Sacramento Republic FC – Danny Vitiello; Jack Gurr, Jared Timmer, Conor Donovan (Lee Desmond 46’), Shane Wiedt (Jonathan Ricketts 86’), Aldair Sanchez (Damià Viader 46’); Nick Ross (Sebastián Herrera 66’), Luis Felipe, Justin Portillo, Cristian Parano (Rafael Jauregui 89’); Trevor Amann (Kieran Phillips 46’)
Substitutes not used: Jared Mazzola, Chibuike Ukaegbu, Blake Willey
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 13
Corner kicks:
Offside: 1
Saves: 1
