Lights FC Remain Undefeated with 2-2 Draw in Memphis

April 16, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Las Vegas Lights FC News Release

Las Vegas Lights FC’s Alejandro Mitrano in action
(Las Vegas Lights FC)

After a 4-0 win in the U.S. Open Cup, Lights FC returned to USL Championship action by visiting Memphis 901 FC with the King’s Cup on the line.

Las Vegas started the game off hot, with multiple opportunities that came close, but the score was opened with a play that caught everyone off guard. Memphis was trying to advance near midfield striking the ball hard and it hitting Luke Stauffer, miraculously finding its way into the back of the net in the 15th minute.

Lights FC tried extending their lead, but their attempts only came close. 901 FC took advantage of a corner kick, with a Jeremy Kelly header putting the game even 1-1 in the 35th minute, stopping the Lights’ streak of 151 minutes without allowing a goal in league play.

Las Vegas goalkeeper Leo Diaz, on-loan from Argentinian titans River Plate, blocked a penalty kick towards the end of the first half, keeping the score 1-1 at the halftime break.

Memphis kept being aggressive once the second half kicked off and were rewarded. Laurent Kissiedou served a perfect cross to Luis Fernando, whose shot went past Leo Diaz with the game winning goal for 901 FC.

Manu Ledesma made his first appearance with Lights FC in a USL Championship by being a halftime substitution and he made an impact. In the 78th minute he curled a spectacular shot past goalkeeper Bill Hamid to tie the game.

Shortly after the game tying goal, the match went into a 4+ hour weather delay and restarted at 1 a.m. CT.

With the 2-2 draw, Lights FC is one of only three undefeated teams after 6 weeks of action in the 2023 USL Championship season.

NEXT GAME:

Lights FC will face their third consecutive Eastern Conference opponent in league play by traveling to South Beach and facing Miami FC on Sunday, April 23rd at 1 p.m. PT.

NEXT HOME GAME:

Lights FC will play in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup by facing Real Salt Lake, this will mark the first time Las Vegas will play against a Major League Soccer team in an official game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26th at Cashman Field in Downtown Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale at LightsFC.com/Tickets

The Lights will play their first two regular season home games of the year on Friday, Cinco de Mayo at 7:30 p.m. against the Charleston Battery and then versus San Antonio FC on Sunday, May 7th at 3 p.m.

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