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Turn off the lights: Las Vegas Lights 1, LAFC 3

Score line flatters LAFC as they do enough to advance to Round of 16
Trebor TracyBy 4 Mins Read
LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman on the ball. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles FC

It’s that time of year once again in the MLS. When the schedules start to clog up, matches come in fast, and the magic of competitions takes over. While not in as many tournaments as they feel they should be in this season, LAFC will have a chance at more than just one piece of silverware this year, and it all starts tonight. The black & gold stay on the road, ready to roll the dice in Las Vegas as they kickoff their U.S. Open Cup journey against their former USL Championship affiliates, Las Vegas Lights. The match also marks the first time LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo faces off against the club he once managed.

Looking to shake off the stink of the weekend after losing on the road to San Jose Earthquakes, the boys start their US Open Cup off with a slightly rotated squad. As usual we see a group of youngsters featured, but we also see players Timothy Tillman and Denis Bouanga getting the start to help ensure the team win and advance. By now we all know the struggles for this group on the road, but with a loss ending their quest for USOC glory, this team can’t afford to be the latest victims of the magic of the cup.

The first half wasn’t much to write about in terms of action. LAFC were all too happy to let the home side control the possession game, finishing the half with nearly 70% of it. LA did finish with more shots at six, but only really threatened the goal once in the first. The most excitement of the half came in the final ten minutes where both sides started getting a lot more physical with each other. The drama hit its peak in the final seconds as LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo was shown a red card for whatever he said in his conversation with the refs.

Lights did well to take the MLS side into the break without scoring a goal, but it whatever was said at halftime worked wonders for LAFC. The team came out flying in the second half, looking like many expected them to from the start. After nearly opening up with a goal in the first minute, the team got a corner kick and scored in the second minute of the second half. The 47′ goal from Kei Kamara was his sixth of the competition in his career, giving LAFC the much needed lead early in the final half.

Just ten minutes later the Lights returned the favor. With LAFC struggling to defend set pieces, Vegas were all too happy to take advantage of those struggles and flick on a ball that eventually found the back of the net on the header equalizer.

After some tense moments, with Vegas gaining confidence as each second ticked by, LA finally got their breakthrough to once again take the lead. The 70th minute goal came as Omar Campos came darting down the sides, looking to put it past the keeper himself, but the initial shot was saved, but bounced right to Cristian OIivera, fresh off the bench and right into the right spot at the right time for the lead.

It looked like it was getting really nervy, with Vegas starting to put on the final push, nearly equalizing again on a few occasions. However, it was the MLS side that flexed the depth with Cristian Olivera this time breaking through, and not needing the benefit of the bounce on this one as he put it over the line himself, sealing the win for LAFC as they advance in the tournament.

The win is one the team should enjoy. While its doubtful this is the game that somehow cures their road woes, it is a win away from home, in a tournament the team will want to win. It could provide just that bit of confidence needed as they push on with their MLS regular season. LAFC will host Loudon United FC in the Round of 16, going up against another USL Championship side.

Thoughts on the win? Leave a comment below!

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