The Lights earned their first three points in the Jägermeister Cup after a convincing win on the road against Orange County SC.
Goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena had a memorable match, making six saves and stopping a penalty in the final moments of the game.
Las Vegas Lights FC secured their first Jägermeister Cup victory after defeating Orange County SC away by a score of 3-1.
The Lights arrived at the Championship Soccer Stadium with the idea of turning things around after a rough couple of weeks. And turn things around they did, fast.
In the fourteenth minute of the match, Rory O’Driscoll received a headed pass from Christian Pinzon, controlled near the edge of the box, and fired an absolute rocket that went past Colin Shutler to give the Lights an early lead. Not satisfied with just assisting, Pinzon would double the lead for the Lights twenty minutes later after soaring above the Orange County defense and heading a cross from Valentin Noël right into the net.
A penalty scored by Cameron Dunbar towards the end of the first half allowed Orange County to halve the deficit. But another penalty, slotted into the net by Lights striker Johnny Rodriguez in the 56th minute, would set the final score in stone: 3-1. ‘
It was an important victory on the road for the Lights that meant more than just three points; it meant regaining confidence and building positive momentum for the games on the horizon.
The Raiko Arozarena Factor
For the first time in the entire season, the Lights managed to score three goals in a single match. And yet, the Man of the Match was Cuban goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena.
Vegas had a strong defensive performance. The team never looked suffocated, undeterred by the looming threat embodied by Orange County’s attack. Much of the credit has to go to the Lights’ solid back four, but Saturday night was undoubtedly Raiko Arozarena’s night.
Arozarena made six saves throughout the match, five more than opposing goalkeeper Colin Shutler, only conceding from the penalty spot in the first half. And then, he went on to have one of his iconic “clutch” moments…
In the seventy-ninth minute, the referee called a penalty for Orange County. With eleven minutes left on the clock, a goal from the opposition would’ve put the Lights’ prospect of victory at risk. But Arozarena did nothing more than continue to cement his reputation as one of the league’s best penalty savers by blocking Lyam MacKinnon’s shot and making sure that the Lights left Irvine, California with three points in the bag.
What They’re Saying
FORWARD CHRISTIAN PINZON
On his goal against Orange County…
The play was on the other side, and I see him going down the line. I knew he was going to cross the ball. I was trying to get there; a perfect ball just for me to compete and get it in.
On how big this victory is for the team…
Huge. We’ve been working hard. These three points are well deserved. We’re hoping this is a chain of events where we just keep winning games.
On how the Jägermeister Cup offering a fresh start helped the squad’s mentality…
Yeah, for sure. It’s our part also to be mature about the situation and realize that game is behind us now, and focus on the weekend. Go game-by-game. Good three points, and looking forward to Wednesday now.
On what allowed the team to get a win…
Defensively, we’re pretty hard to break down, and I think on the attack we were more fluid. You can tell things are starting to click, so that was great.
On all the people coming to the stadium to watch him play…
All fam. All my family. My cousins, aunts, friends. People from high school. A little bit of everything.
On what it means to play in front of his loved ones…
It’s amazing, especially now that I don’t see them too often. So coming here, trying to do my best, getting the three points, and scoring in front of them is a happy feeling.
FORWARD JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ
On how it feels to be back on the score sheet…
It feels amazing. After a hard week last week, it feels good to get a full week of preparation. We came out here and did our game plan, and I think the coaching staff should be very proud of us. We’ve been working hard, so hopefully it’s a step in the right direction.
On his penalty goal…
I was not disappointed but a little bit sad that I didn’t take it [the penalty] last game. Val obviously slotted it. And this game he told me that next one is mine. So, when I saw we got a pen I was like: okay, I need to slot it. Stepping up, I picked my spot, and I was not going to second guess it. I was going to pick my spot, and I went there and luckily it went in.
On the fresh start the squad got thanks to the Jägermeister Cup…
For sure. I think this Cup, like Younes [Boudadi] and Joe Gyau said [earlier this week], is a fresh start for everybody. And obviously, getting the three points on the road to start the tournament is very good. So I think it’s a step in the right direction, and we keep going on Wednesday again.
On how the goal helped his confidence as a striker…
Amazing. It’s huge. Obviously, as a striker you want to score goals in any way possible. Penalty? I’ll take it. Just seeing the ball hit the back of the net… hopefully it’s a step in the right direction, again. I’ll try to keep doing my job.
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Nigro, Gartig, Howell, Boudadi, Gyau (Smart, 71′), Leal, O’Driscoll (Pearson, 16′), Pinzon, Noël (c) (Covil, 77′), Rodriguez
Orange County Starting XI:
Shutler (GK), Guimaraes (Doghman, 46′), Latinovich, Brewitt (c), Santos, Partida (Karam, 90′), Dunbar (Jamison, 57’), Benalcazar, Hegardt (Sylla, 70′), Barjolo (MacKinnon, 58′), War
Goals:
LV – Rory O’Driscoll – 14′
LV – Christian Pinzon – 34’
OC – Cameron Dunbar – 45’
LV – Johnny Rodriguez – 56’
Discipline:
LV – Yellow, Howell – 24’
LV – Yellow, Gyau – 44’
LV – Yellow, Rodriguez – 65’
LV – Yellow, Pinzon – 71’
LV – Yellow, Arozarena – 73’
LV – Yellow, Pearson – 90+1’
Next Up
The Lights will face AV Alta next Wednesday at Cashman Field for matchday two of the Jägermeister Cup group stage. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. You can buy tickets right here!