Las Vegas Lights FC fell 3-2 to Oakland Roots SC in the club’s regular season home finale at Cashman Field on Saturday night. The Lights remain in second place in the Western Conference standings with 50 points and an opportunity to lock in a Top Four position on the table in the final weekend of the season.
Oakland took an early lead three minutes into the night after Roots forward Johnny Rodriguez capitalized on a diving save by Lights ‘keeper George Marks that spilled to the visitor’s feet for a quick rebounded shot. Las Vegas got back on level terms quickly when forward Christian Pinzón’s cross deflected into the opposing net off Roots defender Neveal Hackshaw in the 12th minute. Both sides continued to test the other’s backline, but neither team could find the go-ahead goal before the halftime whistle.
Oakland hopped back on the front foot in the 61st minute after a strike outside the 18-yard box by forward José Sinisterra bounced underneath Marks’s diving reach. The Roots widened the gap once more in the 72nd minute after a curling pass found Rodriguez again for a low shot in front of the Lights’s goal.
Midfielder Valentin Noël shortened the deficit after scoring spectacular goal from the top of the 18-yard-box to bring the Lights within one, but the final whistle blew before they could find an equalizer.
Las Vegas Lights FC will close out the 2024 regular season next Saturday at 4:00 p.m. PT when they head east to take on North Carolina FC.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Double Digit Club: Valentin Noël’s stoppage-time strike brought his goal count to 10 on the season. The Frenchman is in good company, sitting only three goals behind the Western Conference’s top goalscorer and teammate Khori Bennett.
Late Push: A team known for late-game theatrics couldn’t quite find the equalizer this time. A brilliant stoppage-time goal from Noël brought the Lights within one, but it was too late to secure a comeback.
Playoff Seeding Tightens Up: Las Vegas remain in second place heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The race for playoff hosting priority remains tight as a Lights win at North Carolina FC next weekend would secure the second seed and two potential home matches at Cashman Field.
SCORING SUMMARY
OAK – Johnny Rodirguez 3′
OAK – Neveal Hackshaw 12′ (Own goal)
OAK – José Sinisterra 61′ (Daniel Gómez)
OAK – Johnny Rodirguez 72′ (Irakoze Donasiyano)
LV – Valentin Noël 90+4′ (Grayson Doody)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
OAK – Baboucarr Njie (Caution)
OAK – Guillermo Diaz (Caution)
OAK – Irakoze Donasiyano (Caution)
LINEUPS AND STATS | USL Championship Match Center
Las Vegas Lights FC – George Marks, Shawn Smart, Grayson Doody, Joe Hafferty, Maliek Howell (Charlie Adams 45′), J.C. Ngando (Dre Fortune 76′), Soloman Asante (Khori Bennett 61′), Ousman Jabang, Christian Pinzón (Vaughn Covil 76′), Valentin Noël, Coleman Gannon (Joe Gyau 61′)
Substitutes not used: Raiko Arozarena, Elias Gärtig, Ali Gue, Zander Romero,
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 7
Corner kicks: 7
Offside: 1
Saves: 5
Oakland Roots – Paul Blanchette, Guillermo Diaz, Justin Rasmussen (Trayvon Reid 64′), Gagi Margvelashvili, Neveal Hacksaw, Camden Riley, Rafael Baca (Irakoze Donasiyano 45′), Daniel Gomez (Niall Louge 90+4′), Johnny Rodriguez (Miche-Naider Chery 84′), José Sinisterra (Ilya Reid 64′), Baboucarr Njie
Substitutes not used: Timothy Syrel, Dom Dwyer
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 17
Corner kicks: 7
Offside: 0
Saves: 4
