The Lights were unable to protect their second half lead, conceding three late goals to drop a loss on the road in Rhode Island.
Las Vegas Lights FC lost 3-1 on the road at Rhode Island FC on Sunday afternoon.
After a back-and-forth first half, Head Coach Devin Rensing replaced midfielder Patrick Leal with striker Stefan Stojanovic at halftime in an aggressive move. That move paid off immediately, as Stojanovic scored his first league goal for the Lights just a minute into his appearance.
As the second half progressed, Las Vegas appeared to be on track to secure a momentous three points on the road. However, Hugo Bacharach equalized off a deflection that wrong-footed goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena in the 77th minute to crush the Lights’ momentum.
The hosts found a dramatic winner through Noah Fuson in the 90th minute before JJ Williams sealed the win in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
What They’re Saying
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On his overall thoughts on the match…
“The guys gave it everything, and that’s all that I can ask for.
It’s unfortunate. A little bit the story of the year for us. It’s a game of moments, and we had a couple of moments that we didn’t capitalize [on], and they did. That’s the name of the game.”
On the positives to take from the match…
“The togetherness at the end. We just have to continue that. I think in the last game against Pittsburgh that wasn’t there.
We gave a good effort, so we have to give that effort for the next games. It’s about pride and character at this point. We just have to continue on.”
On how he brings the spirit out of the squad against Oakland in the next match…
“One, they have to find the spirit within themselves. They’re professionals, they get paid to do this, and this is their job.
They have to fight… fight for the club, for the fans, and for each other. That’s what it’s all about.
They have to do that, and I certainly have to drive that going forward.”
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Arozarena (GK), Boudadi, Herbert, Gartig, Nigro (Covil 84′), Probo, O’Driscoll (Gaines 84′), McNamara, Leal (Stojanovic 46′), Pickering (Jones 74′), Rodriguez
Rhode Island FC Starting XI:
Vegas (GK), Diop (Shapiro-Thompson 58′), Stoneman, Bacharach, Yao (Mabika 84′), Holstad, Herivaux (Rodriguez 58′), Fuson, Dikwa (Atkinson 70′), Kwizera (Sanchez 84′), Williams
Goals:
LV – Stojanovic – 46′ (assist: Nigro)
RI – Bacharach – 77′ (assist: Rodriguez)
RI – Fuson – 90′ (assist: Holstad)
RI – Williams – 90+5′ (assist: Fuson)