Las Vegas, Nev. (August 20, 2022) – Republic FC fell 2-1 to Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night in a tough match in Sin City. Sacramento had the hosts on their heels throughout the night, but couldn’t find the right final touch to secure a point in a tough contest.
After Sacramento took an early advantage, Las Vegas Pulled even, before pulling ahead in the final moments of first-half stoppage time with another transition score on the run. As time ticked down, patient play and good defending with numbers behind the ball kept Sacramento from equalizing.
Sacramento got to work pushing the envelope right from the start. Throughout the first half, the club moved the ball quickly to take advantage of the short pitch and dominated the possession balance. Their early aggression was rewarded with a penalty in the 8th minute; Douglas Martinez netted the attempt for his fifth score of the season to give the club a 1-0 lead.
Just after Lights FC pulled ahead, Sacramento came inches from punching back. Martinez missed the top corner by inches after receiving the ball from Lacroix on the left wing.
Sacramento did well to create opportunity and advance into the final third throughout the night. But stingy defense from Las Vegas closed down Republic FC’s attacks from the outside. Sacramento finished the night with 15 shots and served in 27 crosses.
Each club was patient throughout the second half, waiting for the right moment to strike in transition. Sacramento found little space to operate as time ticked down and Las Vegas put numbers behind the ball. A pair of chances in the final moments nearly pulled the Quails even, but good goalkeeping and a shot off the post denied Deshorn Brown and Luis Felipe before the final whistle sounded.
The Indomitable club returns to action on Saturday, August 27 for the final regional derby of the season against Oakland Roots SC. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m., from Heart Health Park and the match will be broadcast live on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, and streaming on ESPN+. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 2 Las Vegas Lights FC
USL Championship
Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nevada
August 20, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Douglas Martinez (penalty) 9’, LV – Christian Torres (Alvaro Quezada) 22’, Daron Iskenderian 45+2’
Misconduct Summary: SAC– Jack Gurr (caution) 45’, Duke Lacroix (caution) 90’ LV – Abraham Romero (caution) 7’, Daniel Crisostomo (caution) 36’, Dekel Keinan (caution) 64’,
Sacramento Republic FC: Carlos Saldaña, Josh Bauer, Dan Casey, Tiago Suarez (Damia Viader 63’), Duke Lacroix, Nick Ross, Matt LaGrassa (C) (Luis Felipe 70’), Jack Gurr, Douglas Martinez (Luther Archimede 88’), Keko Gontan (Zeiko Lewis 63’), Maalique Foster (Deshorn Brown 63’)
Unused substitutes: Danny Vitiello, Ferrety Sousa
Stats – Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 3, Fouls: 16, Corner Kicks: 9, Offsides: 1
Las Vegas Lights FC: Abraham Romero, Mohamed Traore, Dekel Keinan, Alejandro Lara, Morten Bjorshol, Jorge Almaguer (Eric Dueñas 79’), Frank Daroma (Rafael Tejada 90+4’), Daniel Crisostomo (C), Alvaro Quezada, Christian Torres (Christopher Jaime 70’), Daron Iskenderian (Chase Bromstedt 79’)
Unused substitutes: Tomas Romero, Nathan Sepulveda
Stats – Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 1, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 2
