Super Swirl Summary: LV 0, PHX 2
The four-match home winning streak ends for Lights FC as they drop a result to Rising FC.
Las Vegas Lights FC came out fighting on UFC Night at Cashman Field, but it was Phoenix Rising FC that had their hand raised after the match. The visitors defeated Lights FC 2-0 last night, ending a four-match home winning streak for the hosts.
It was Las Vegas that had the first chance of the match, almost immediately after the opening kickoff. Omar Salgado fired a shot around the 30-second mark and had it knocked away by Rising FC goalkeeper Zac Lubin. That would be arguably the best chance of the match for Lights FC.
Just as the clock arrived at ten minutes, one of the brightest stars in the USL made their mark. Kevaughn Frater found Rising FC’s diminutive star Solomon Asante at the far post. The 5’2” winger had his header denied by Ricardo Ferrino, but he collected the rebound and fired it past the Lights goalkeeper.
With neither club interested in a slow, possession-based attack, the ball was launched back and forth for much of the night. For Las Vegas, there was not enough conviction in their play in the final third. The club started the match with striker Sammy Ochoa on the bench, the typical target man up top for the Lights.
Late in the match, Rising FC would begin to create consistent attacking chances. Frater hit the post on what appeared to be a lofted cross towards Asante, who would force a Ferrino save minutes later. Then, substitute Billy Forbes got Ferrino off his line and was able to draw a penalty after the keeper took him out in the area. Frater would step up and hit a Panenka penalty smoothly down the middle for a 2-0 Phoenix lead.
Now, the Lights will look to start a new winning streak at Cashman Field when they host Fresno FC on Saturday, August 25th.
