SD Loyal SC defeat Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1
Credit: San Diego Loyal
The San Diego Loyal move up to third place in the Pacific Division with a total of 14 points.
The unbeaten streak continues! The Loyal have now gone six straight matches without a loss after starting the season (0-4). San Diego is now just two points away from the first-place Phoenix Rising.
The Loyal record is now (4-4-2), with the two draws coming against Phoenix and Orange County SC. The Lights record becomes (2-6-1) as they continue to struggle early on in the season.
Manager Landon Donovan started out with what looked to be a 4-2-3-1 formation with three attacking midfielders and Miguel Berry as the lone forward. Trey Muse remained in goal, and defender Grant Stoneman returned to the starting XI.
San Diego started off hot and connected with a goal in the 7th minute. Alejandro Guido stole the ball on a pass and dribbled past the defender, where he then smoked a laser to the right of the keeper. The score was 1-0 before some of the fans were even in their seats.
We’re in Vegas but El š isn’t playing games. š¤#LVvSD pic.twitter.com/xZ0ngENbGt
ā San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) June 26, 2021
That marks Guido’s third goal of the 2021 season.
Neither team could figure out a rhythm the remainder of the first half. San Diego managed to get off seven other shot attempts with two on target, but the keeper didn’t have any trouble. The Loyal defense continued to keep the Vegas momentum at a halt, as the Lights only attempted two shots with one on target. San Diego controlled the possession for the majority of the half at 63%.
The second half got a little more competitive. Right when the 62nd minute ticked, Las Vegas scored on a doubleheader to even the game at 1-1. It came off the corner kick and bounced off the crossbar into the net.
In the 74th minute, substitute forward Corey Hertzog tested the keeper but couldn’t get the shot to fall. Luckily Berry positioned himself perfectly and was at the right place at the right time as he drilled the rebound to take the 2-1 lead.
There’s no stopping a @Hertzog_Corey and @MiguelBerry92 attack. š„#LVvSD pic.twitter.com/kRLGGYdWvc
ā San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) June 26, 2021
The USD Alum is taking advantage of his time on loan back home in San Diego.
That goal ended up being the game-winner as San Diego would hold on and win the match pretty easily. Vegas never really threatened as their opportunities were slim, to begin with. The Loyal defenders came to play Friday night and continue to play well like they have all season.
San Diego finished with 21 shot attempts to the Vegas six.
The Loyal will play Vegas two more times this season, one on the road and one home at Torero Stadium.
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The next match for the Loyal is this Tuesday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. in Torero Stadium. They will host the Oakland Roots for the first time as a professional club. The Roots are in their inaugural season but have played in just four matches this season, a huge reason why they are eighth in the division at (1-2-1).
San Diego will look to win their fourth match in a row as they get ready for a four-game home stretch.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.