April 27, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Las Vegas Lights FC News Release
Lights FC hosted Real Salt Lake in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, this match marked the first time Las Vegas faced a Major League Soccer team in an official game.
Despite only having ball possession in 42% of the first half, the Lights’ outshot RSL 6 to 5, with 4 of Las Vegas’ shots being on target against only one from the visiting side.
In a very active second half, both teams had shots in the double-digits, but weren’t able to find the back of the net. Lights FC goalkeeper Leo Diaz registered 3 saves in the final 45 minutes of regulation.
With a scoreless tie, this match required two extra time periods of 15 minutes each. In the final seconds of the first additional period, Real Salt Lake broke the scoreless tie with a Damir Kreilach header off of a corner kick.
Las Vegas made things interesting in the second extra time period with Luke Stauffer’s third goal in three games, but Kreilach scored the game-winner for Real Salt Lake with 5 minutes to go in the match and the MLS side sealed the deal with a 3-1 win by scoring in the final seconds courtesy of Vegas native Danny Musovski.
Lights FC’s Open Cup run came to an end, tying the team’s best performance in this tournament by playing in the third round.
NEXT GAME:
Las Vegas will play their third game in a seven-day span by visiting defending USL Championship title holders San Antonio FC on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
NEXT HOME GAME:
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.
Any Questions? Contact us at Communications@LasVegasLightsFC.com.
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