Lights’ three-match win streak comes to an end in home loss to Sacramento on July 4th.
Las Vegas Lights FC dropped a 2-0 result to Sacramento Republic on Saturday night at Cashman Field.
The first half remained scoreless with the Lights holding firm defensively and goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena making key saves to keep the match even.
Sacramento got their momentum rolling once Aaron Edwards scored in the 50th minute followed by another goal from Russell Cicerone in the 68th minute.
After a series of aggressive, attacking substitutions, the Lights created late opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net.
The team now turns their focus to their back-to-back away games in July before returning to Cashman for three home matches in August.
What They’re Saying
MIDFIELDER VALENTIN NOEL
On what he saw from his teammates…
We wanted to build on the momentum that we created those past 3 games. I think we started the game properly and then, after the first quarter of the first half, the game started to be broken down with fouls and it cut our rhythm. We couldn’t establish the way we wanted to do things and the way we wanted to press, the way we wanted to build up. I mean all credit to Sacramento, they were difficult to play against, but for sure I’m happy with the performance, tonight.
On what he wants to see from the team on the road…
We want build from our mistakes, but we also don’t want to think of them too much because we have another game in 7 days. We just have to try to keep this approach of and this energy going. Now it’s just about starting over again, starting from zero again and have a good week of practice. We have to understand how Tulsa is gonna play – what we wanna do, where they are weak at, where they’re strong at, and go there to get 3 points.
On how this franchise has been supporting the team…
It’s awesome and it makes a a huge difference for us on the field when we hear them ,when we go on the attack when we’re struggling. When we hear them, you know, supporting and cheering – I wish they could feel it, the way we feel it because it’s amazing and having these 12 men to help us in the long run and during the game. Definitely thankful for them and their support tonight.
INTERIM HEAD COACH GIOVANNI TROISE
On his message to the team…
I think that we didn’t deserve to lose tonight, so I think that it’s important that we don’t lose our focus, don’t change our mentality. Just keep going.
We concede a tough, loose game. But, once again, I’m still happy about them and proud about the performance.
Once again, we keep going forward.
On the fans’ support tonight…
It’s better for us that all the people here in the city can come to support us.
For us it’s always good. The guys are doing a good job, so they deserve that the people are here and then we are happy that the city is close to us, and we will wait for them on the next home game.
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Jones, Gartig, Peeters (Pearson, 60′), Boudadi (Gannon, 70′), Leal (Gyau, 70′), Nigro, Noel (c), Smart, Stojanovic (Pickering, 60′), Rodriguez
Sacramento Republic FC Starting XI:
Vitiello (GK), Gurr (Edwards, 31′), Desmond (c), Timmer, Kleemann, Lopez (Felipe, 78′), Herrera (Wanner, 78′), Cicerone (Amann, 83′), Ross (Djedje, 90′), Willey, Benitez (Ukaegbu, 83′)
Goals:
SAC – Aaron Edwards – 50′
SAC – Russell Cicerone – 68’
Discipline:
LV – Yellow, Nate Jones – 4’
LV – Yellow, Younes Boudadi – 21’
SAC – Yellow, Rodrigo Lopez – 22’
LV – Yellow, Patrick Leal – 45+1’
SAC – Freddy Kleemann – 53’
LV – Yellow, Gennaro Nigro – 78’
Next Up
The Las Vegas Lights will be traveling this weekend to face FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field on Saturday, July 12 at 5:30 PM. Lights fans at home can catch the action on ESPN+ and Silver State Sports & Entertainment: Antenna 5.2, Cox 77.