Lights FC lose big in South Texas vs. RGVFC

Road woes continue for Las Vegas Lights FC as they lose again away from home.

After a massive win by Las Vegas Lights FC at home vs. Tacoma, they were on the opposite end of a lopsided result last night. Eric Wynalda’s squad was defeated 5-2 by RGVFC Toros in McAllen, Texas. Wilmer Cabrera Jr., Isidro Martinez, Maalique Foster, Carlos Small, and an own goal from Gabe Robinson provided the Toros’ goals. Christian Torres and Sammy Ochoa scored for the visitors from Las Vegas.

Key Stats

🔑 Six saves. The Lights forced Toros keeper Michael Nelson into six saves on the night. On the opposite end, Thomas Olsen finished the match with zero saves and five goals conceded, including the own goal.

🔑 Five chances created. The second-half substitute duo of Pablo Cruz and Tripa Hernandez created five chances in a combined 71 minutes. You have to trust the decision of coach Eric Wynalda, but maybe that kind of playmaking could have helped in a scoreless first half.

🔑 62% possession. Holding that much possession on the road vs. a side that likes to keep the ball is no small feat. There were chunks of the match that the Lights seemed to be dictating the pace, despite trailing.

Three Brightest Lights

💡💡💡 Tripa Hernandez: The former Philadelphia Union homegrown player made a big impact off the bench in the second half. He had three chances created, an assist, and connected on 80% of his 40 passes.

💡💡 Irvin Parra: Danger put two shots on target for the Lights and created three chances. On the night, he completed 86% of his 26 passes.

💡 Sammy Ochoa/Christian Torres: Both players scored a goal for the Lights but had a very little impact elsewhere in the match.

Quick Kicks

⚽ Statistically, this was an odd one. The side that lost by three goals had 62% possession, more than double the shots, double the shots on target, and more than double the crosses.

⚽ I will continue to contend that Pablo Cruz is the most important player for the Lights. When he plays and sees a lot of the ball, the club tends to play well. Last night, he got less than a half-hour of match time. Whether it’s coincidence or not, both Lights goals came when he was on the pitch.

⚽ Clearly, Eric Wynalda and the Lights think highly of Junior Sandoval. After officially announcing his transfer arrival from Memphis 901 FC this week, he started for Las Vegas. He was solid, completing 87% of his 45 passes and tallying four shots.

⚽ Lights FC will struggle to move up the table if they continue to lose every match on the road. They have zero points to show from four roads matches.

Okay, What’s Next?

In eight days, the Lights will take on LA Galaxy II on the road in some Monday Night Futbol action. Los Dos currently sit 3-3-0.