Forward Manuel Arteaga scored his third goal of the season to earn the Lights three crucial points against direct rivals San Antonio FC
Las Vegas Lights FC defeated San Antonio FC 1-0 at Cashman Field on Saturday night.
It was a competitive, physical showdown where both sides battled it out on and off the ball throughout the first 45.
Right when everyone thought that the first half would end in a stalemate, Venezuelan striker Manuel Arteaga appeared to score his second goal in three matches and drive the Lights towards victory.
Giorgio Probo, who put on yet another show in midfield, cleverly sent a through ball to Arteaga, who removed his marker with an elegant directional touch and shot past San Antonio FC goalkeeper Joseph Batrouni following a rebound to give the Lights the advantage.
The second half was similar to the first, with the game getting dicey and physical on several occasions. The Lights, however, had superior time management, controlling the flow of the game until the final whistle and earning an extremely valuable victory at Cashman.
The Lights will now prepare for their next match, traveling to the state of Arizona to face Phoenix Rising on Saturday, October 10. From this point on, every single match is a final as the team continues firmly in the race towards playoffs. The battle continues. Three matches remain.
What They’re Saying
HEAD COACH DEVIN RENSING
On how it feels to be back in the playoff conversation…
It feels great. The amount of energy our guys put into the game against Sacramento on Wednesday… to turn around and come back and and get this performance was big time.
So, yeah. Really happy, proud of the guys, happy for our fans.
On how important it is for Manuel Arteaga to get going down the stretch heading into the playoffs…
Yeah, it’s big time. I’ve been saying it all year, he’s got goals in him. He’s a big time player. He’s got personality. So, we need everyone clicking on all cylinders at at the end of the year and yeah, really happy for Manu.
On what’s his message to the fans before the last home match at Cashman Field…
Every game’s so important at this stage of the year, but the fans have been great all year.
We’re excited to play our last game here in front of them at Cashman Stadium and we’re going to need them. We love them and are looking forward to their support.
DEFENDER AARON GUILLEN
On how it feels in the locker room after the match…
It’s amazing. I mean, we knew that it was win or go home. And the effort that the guys put on the field was was unbelievable. And obviously some results went our way as well. So, we’re going to keep going and keep pushing until the end.
On what tonight’s victory says about the team…
We knew what we had to do. It doesn’t matter if you win 1-0 or 5-0 at this point. Three points are important. And obviously it’s good for Manu to get on the score sheet. So, we’re really happy that we’re still in the playoff pursuit and we’re going to keep pushing.
On what’s his message to the fans before the last home match at Cashman Field…
We need that push from the fans more than ever. We need to keep fighting and and pushing for those playoffs and and we know what this team can do away from home as well. So I think we’re we’re confident, but we’re focused game by game.
Summary
Las Vegas Lights FC Starting XI:
Henry (GK), Sessock (Pope, 70′), Ofeimu, Guillen, Antonoglou, Probo, Scott (Ybarra, 60′), Locker, Pinzon (c), Arteaga, Rodriguez (Jones, 85′)
San Antonio FC Starting XI:
Batrouni (GK), Ward, Crognale, Taintor (c), Suarez, Hernandez (Ricol, 25′), Maldonado, Berron (Blanco, 70′), Cuello, Sorto (Paredes, 46′ (Haakenson, 53′)), Parano (Pacheco, 70′)
Goals:
LV – Manuel Arteaga – 45+3′
Discipline:
SA – Yellow, Hernandez – 15’
SA – Yellow, Berron – 45+6’
LV – Yellow, Sessock – 59’
LV – Yellow, Henry – 84’
SA – Yellow, Crognale – 87’
Next Up
The Lights travel to Arizona to face Phoenix Rising on October 10. The team then returns home to Vegas to face Lexington SC for Farewell to Cashman Night on October 17. Get tickets for the last game ever at Cashman Field at lightsfc.com/tickets.
