Anthony Herbert and Nighte Pickering struck for the Lights, but a late equalizer denied Vegas the win.
Las Vegas Lights FC walked away from Albuquerque with a point after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against New Mexico United. Former Lights player Valentin Noel struck early in the 5th minute to give New Mexico the lead, but Vegas answered quickly. Just seven minutes later, Anthony Herbert (who joined the Lights as part of the Noel transfer in late July) headed home the equalizer, sending the match into halftime tied 1-1.
Momentum shifted Vegas’ way in the second half when New Mexico’s Talen Maples received back-to-back yellow cards, leaving New Mexico down to ten men. The Lights capitalized as Nighte Pickering finished off a sharp assist from Johnny Rodriguez in the 74th minute to put Vegas ahead.
Despite controlling the majority of the second half, the Lights couldn’t hold on, as Thomas Amang found the back of the net in the 87th minute to tie the match. The late strike from Amang served as the equalizer, sealing the 2-2 draw at full-time.
What They’re Saying
FORWARD NIGHTE PICKERING
On what he thought of the overall performance…
I thought it was a good performance, but [we’re] definitely disappointed in The locker room right now. With that type of game, we’re up 2-1 with a man up, we can’t give away a goal at the end of a game like that. We have to see that game out. So, overall, [I’m] disappointed, but that’s two solid games in a row for us, so I’m definitely happy with how the team’s playing right now.
On playing from the start under Devin Rensing rather than from the bench…
It’s just extra motivation. You always want to be starting games, because that means you get more time on the field. So, either coming off the bench or starting, I’m always looking to do my best. But, I’m happy to be starting now a little bit more.
On what he saw on the goal…
Yeah, I saw that it went over the top. It was a little bit of a 50/50 ball. Johnny ends up winning it, and from there I tried to move the defender to the near post a little bit and then ran off his shoulder to the left. It was a good ball from Johnny, and I just tapped it in.
DEFENDER ANTHONY HERBERT
On his overall thoughts on the game…
I feel like if the guys give their full [effort] and they fight, I’m okay with the draw. I’m really really proud of the guys today. I feel like in every moment, they were trying to stay switched on and were working hard. So, it’s unlucky that we weren’t able to get the win, but I’m happy with the result.
On his first goal for the Lights and what he saw on the play…
[It was] straight out of the training ground. Straight out of the training ground. We practiced it, and I tried to put as much power behind it [as possible]. I’m happy I got to score my first goal for the Lights.
On what the goal meant to him despite a minimal celebration…
It meant a lot. I feel like the fans that are here always had my back and showed me the love, so I didn’t want to rub it in. I really wanted the win, but at the same time I wanted to pay respect to the guys [here].
On how the team has improved in match two under Rensing…
I feel like with everything it takes time. I feel like we’re getting there and working every day. It’s really important for us to start getting the three points now. That’s what we’ll continue to work on. There’s parts of the games we’ll have to adjust, but we’ll get there. The guys are really bought in and believe in what he’s doing, so it’s going to work out for us as long as we keep working hard and doing what he says.
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On his overall thoughts on the match…
I’m really proud of the effort and of the guys. They worked really, really hard. They were diving in front of shots, blocking crosses, and doing everything they can to get the win. Unfortunately, they scored a late goal. We need to reflect a little bit and not give away soft goals like that. Really, really proud of the effort. I think we’ve gotten better in how we want to play and defend, but I’m a little disappointed in the end to give up a tie.
On what went well tonight…
We were able to possess the ball a little more and got some quality chances in front of goal. I think we were unlucky not to finish them. I think that we have to be a little more confident in front of the goal. What I [also] saw was that we got better defensively. We were able to pick balls off higher up the field, which also resulted in their red card. Gannon was able to pick that off. Like I said, we were able to get to good spots, and I thought we had a couple good looks at goal.
On Anthony Herbert’s goal and the importance of set pieces…
Set pieces are crucial. Everything is crucial at this level. The smallest of
margins matters. I always say that you need your center backs to get two to three set piece or corner kick goals a year, just to ease the burden off the forwards and attacking group. So, Anthony was dialed in all week, he was ready for this game, and I’m really happy for him.
On Nighte Pickering’s performance…
Nighte’s always dangerous in front of goal. I’ve known this for a long time. We need to get him into better spots. Playing on the wing is a little bit different look for him, so he’s still getting used to that. But, we need to get Nighte into good spots, but we also need to continue getting Johnny [Rodriguez] and everyone into good spots.
Summary
Lights Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Herbert, Pearson, Nigro(c), Gartig, Boudadi, Leal, Gannon, Pickering (Gaines, 78′), Rodriguez (Jones, 84′), Stojanovic (McNamara, 59′)
New Mexico United Starting XI:
Shakes (GK), Lindsey, Jabang (Maples, 46′), Seymore, Gloster (Pondeca, 80′), Bailey, Zelalem (Amang, 80′), Akale, Vargas (Rivas, 68′), Noel (Harris, 46′), Hurst (c)
Goals:
NM – Valentin Noel – 5′
LV – Anthony Herbert – 12’
LV – Nighte Pickering – 74’
NM – Thomas Amang – 87′
Discipline:
LV –Yellow, Nigro – 24’
LV –Yellow, Pearson – 44’
NM – Yellow, Gloster – 59’
NM – Yellow, Maples – 64’
NM – Second Yellow — Red, Maples – 66’
NM – Yellow, Shakes – 70’
LV –Yellow, Pickering – 75’
NM – Yellow, Hurst – 90+6’
LV –Yellow, Boudadi – 90+7’