Las Vegas Lights FC rode a late Christian Pinzon goal to beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 on Saturday night and take all three points in the Home Opener presented by Ualett.
After reaching the Western Conference Final in 2024, the Lights had high expectations heading into season two of the Jose Bautista ownership project. Under new Head Coach Antonio Nocerino, the pressure was on to deliver a victory in front of the Las Vegas fans on opening night.
The team delivered on those expectations.
After a cagey first half that saw few quality chances for either side, the teams entered the locker rooms knotted at zero. The second half was shaping up to look similar, but then Tampa Bay goalkeeper Dante Campisi fired a clearance straight off his own defender with 15 minutes remaining. The ball ricocheted back towards his own goal, a gift for an onrushing Christian Pinzon to tap into the net.
After a late flurry of action that included a good chance for Rodriguez to double the lead before the Rowdies hit the crossbar with the last play of the match, the Lights ultimately held on for the 1-0 win and all three points.
The Turning Point
How could it be anything else other than the match-winning goal?
It took some fortune, but it also took some hard running from Pinzon to chase down a long ball he had no chance of beating the goalkeeper to. However, his pressing put the pressure on to force the mistake, so he deserves at least some credit for his role beyond simply tapping the ball into the net.
What They’re Saying
FORWARD CHRISTIAN PINZON
On how it feels to be starting the regular season with a win after a long preseason…
Yeah man. I think the hard work shows it pays off. We’ve been working really hard, so getting the dub and starting the season right is important to us, and hopefully we continue with the same intensity and the same drive for each game.
On the next step for this team…
Just building brick by brick. Take it game by game. Good vibes. We needed this win, man. So, this week of training, good vibes, keep working, and next game: New Mexico.
On whether it was the easiest goal he’s ever scored…
Easily. Sports Center Top 10.
HEAD COACH ANTONIO NOCERINO
On how it feels to get his first win as Lights Head Coach…
It’s good. I’m happy, because the team and the players played a good game. Very intense and with attention, discipline, concentration. It is unbelievable, because to play against Tampa Bay is not simple. Because of the experience [they have], they smart players with a lot experience in this league. To play against, compete against, and win against this team. For us, this is a positive.
On whether the intensity improved from last week to this week…
For me, the mentality is everything. The mentality and the approach is everything. When you don’t have a good approach, good mentality, good attention it’s very difficult… The simple win doesn’t exist.
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Ammeter (GK), Singer, Gartig, Jones, Noel (c), Chattha (Pearson 73′), Gyau (Brewer 65′), Nigro, Azcona, Pinzon, Rodriguez
Rowdies Starting XI:
Campisi (GK), Wyke, Castellanos, Guillen, Niyongabire, Bodily, Crisostomo (Moon 78′), MacPherson, Pacius (Hilton 71′), Bassett, Arteaga
Goals:
LV – Christian Pinzon – 74′
Discipline:
TBR – Yellow, Cameron MacPherson – 49′
LV – Yellow, Edison Azcona – 73′
LV – Yellow, Christian Pinzon – 86′
LV – Yellow, Shaft Brewer Jr. – 89′
LV – Yellow, Johnny Rodriguez – 90+1′
Next Up
The Lights are back at home next Saturday, March 15 against New Mexico United. This will be the first matchup between the two teams since Las Vegas eliminated New Mexico in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinal. It will also be the first time that former Head Coach Dennis Sanchez returns to Cashman Field, this time in charge of the opposing team.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Grab your tickets now!