Las Vegas Lights FC extended the club’s unbeaten streak to eight matches claiming a 3-0 away win over Eastern Conference side Birmingham Legion FC behind goals from forwards Joe Gyau, Coleman Gannon and Christian Pinzón. The victory sees the Lights continue to improve its single-season club points record (50 points) and set a new franchise record for the most wins in a single season (13 wins) with two games remaining in regular season play.
The game began with Las Vegas dominating play and controlling the majority of possession. Lights striker Gyau took advantage of the momentum with the opening goal in the 18th minute finishing a powerful shot inside the box set up by Gannon. Birmingham had a chance to respond immediately in the 20th minute, but Lights goalkeeper George Marks stopped the initial shot that knuckled in from outside of the box and followed it up with a second save on the rebound. Both teams settled in as the defenses held strong entering the break with Gyau’s goal being the difference.
The second half saw both sides come out of the locker room eager to find the back of the net trading shots on goal but both keepers were equal to the task. Defender Shawn Smart provided the best chance after the Lights went on the counter but Birmingham ‘keeper Trevor Spangenberg wrangled in the powerful strike. Smart returned to challenge Birmingham’s defense in the 67th minute off a corner kick with a nice flick over a defender and a volley shot but once again the effort was handled by Spangenberg.
Birmingham’s Tabort Etaka Preston put the Lights defense on notice in the 72nd minute with an effort from 35 yards out but debutante Marks was quick to retreat and tip the shot redirecting the effort off of the crossbar. The crossbar continued to be the Lights’ bestfriend moments later in the 75th minute as Birmingham’s Alex Crognale’s headed effort made contact with the bar and fell safely to Marks.
As the match reached the final minutes, Birmingham continued to push higher leaving their defense exposed. The Lights took advantage on the counter, turning the momentum in the 87th minute with Soloman Asante playing in Gannon who coolly slotted home the insurance goal. Moments later in the third minute of stoppage time, Pinzón added the cherry on top with a beautiful curling effort to cap off the three points on the road and extend the Las Vegas unbeaten streak.
Las Vegas Lights FC will return to Cashman Field this Saturday, October 19, to host Oakland Roots SC in the final home match of the regular season. Tickets to the Fan Appreciation Night celebration start at just $20 for the 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff and are available at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Off and Running: Joe Gyau opened his account with Las Vegas netting his first goal in the 19th minute with a powerful shot in the box.
Keeping it Clean: George Marks had a Las Vegas Lights FC debut to remember, making three saves and keeping a clean sheet. The clean sheet was the first for the Lights since September 14th with the 0-0 meeting with Monterey Bay FC.
Record-Setting Night: With the win, Las Vegas set a new club record for most wins in a season (13 wins) and improved on the record for most points earned in a single season (50 points).
SCORING SUMMARY
LV – Joe Gyau 18’ (Assist: Coleman Gannon)
LV – Coleman Gannon 87’ (Assist: Solomon Asante)
LV – Christian Pinzón 90+3’ (Assist: Valentin Noël)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
BHM – Kobe Hernandez-Foster 5’ (Caution)
BHM – Jake Rufe 45’ (Caution)
BHM – Tabort Etaka Preston 64’ (Caution)
LV – Khori Bennett 73’ (Caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS | USL Championship Match Center
Birmingham Legion FC – Trevor Spangenberg, Derek Dodson, Alex Corgnale, Phanuel Kavita, Mensah Nyarko (Darwin Matheus 83’), Rida Zouhir, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Miguel Perez (Tyler Pasher 45’), Jake Rufe (Tabort Etaka Preston 58’), Enzo Martinez, Diba Nwegbo (Stefano Pinho 79’)
Substitutes not used: Jonathan Paul Philpot, Ramiz Hamouda, Finn Calloway, Matthew Corcoran, Prosper Kassim
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 15
Corner kicks: 4
Offside: 4
Saves: 4
Las Vegas Lights FC – George Marks, Shawn Smart, Joe Hafferty, Ousman Jabang, Grayson Doody, J.C. Ngando (Christian Pinzón 79’), Charlie Adams (Gennaro Nigro 86’), Coleman Gannon, Vaughn Covil (Valentin Noël 69’), Khori Bennett (Solomon Asante 79’), Joe Gyau (Elias Gärtig 69’)
Substitutes not used: Austin Wormell, Ali Gue
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 12
Corner kicks: 8
Offside: 0
Saves: 3