Flashlight Findings from LV’s loss to Swope Park

Photo Credit: Swope Park Rangers

Las Vegas Lights FC battled back but still lost to Swope Park Rangers yesterday, 3-2. Flashlight Findings takes a deeper look at the result, including the play everyone is talking about.

Two out of Three Keys Achieved from the match preview’s Three Keys to a Vegas Victory

X Play Direct

For most of the match, Las Vegas’ attack was fragmented. They only completed 66% of their passes, 55% in their attacking half. While they were not bad in the attack, finishing with 12 shots, playing more direct would have been helpful.

✔ Control the Counter

Despite giving up three goals against Swope Park, Lights FC didn’t allow major breakdowns on the counter. Two of the Rangers’ goals came from free kicks and the other was not solely off the counter.

✔ Serve it to Sammy

Sammy Ochoa had a really good match on Sunday and finished with a goal and an assist. He had over 30 touches and put three shots on frame.

Quick Kicks

We have to address the play that is being discussed all over the soccer internet world. In the final moments of stoppage time, Carlos Alvarez was set to take a penalty. Rather than put the effort on frame himself, he touched the ball the his right for Sammy Ochoa to run in and blast the shot home. But, he didn’t. It hit the post and the Lights finished a goal down. While the decision itself was far too risky for my liking, the obstinate response afterwards from Chelis and Isidro Sanchez is what is troubling to me.

Both the suspended technical director and the head coach said they didn’t regret the decision and they were more proud of the bravery than disappointed about dropping the points. That’s a questionable line of thinking if you are a top club on the table, but when you are 13th in your conference, it’s a ridiculous stance to take. Unless you don’t care about making the playoffs in your first season, which I am sure is not the case, just accept it didn’t work and move on. Bragging about how courageous it was in a loss is hard to comprehend.

Angel Alvarez had a much tougher time in his second start than he did his first. I know you stick with the hot hand in goal for the most part, but I would’ve gone back to your proven goalkeeper, Ricardo Ferrino. Nice debut for LAFC loanee James Murphy, who assisted on Ochoa’s goal.

The Brightest Lights

Sammy Ochoa: A solid June continues for the Lights’ striker. He scored another goal and his header to set up Daigo Kobayashi was even more impressive. As the season moves along, we’re being reminded why he’s one of the USL’s most consistent strikers every year, including myself who doubted him for some reason.

Raul Mendiola: The midseason acquisition has added some bite to the club’s play on the outside. He completed 83% of his passes

Daigo Kobayashi: Another goal for the MLS veteran. When he’s involved and playing well, things are usually good for Lights FC.

What’s Next?

Another road match for the club as they travel to Tulsa to face Roughnecks FC on Saturday.

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.