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Las Vegas Cruises to Victory vs. Switchbacks

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 06/03/18, 1:41AM EDT

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Adu nets first goal for Lights FC in 4-1 victory at Cashman Field


Photo courtesy of Left Eye Images

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC looked to steal Las Vegas Lights FC’s thunder on Saturday, but the home side cruised to its third victory of the season, recording a 4-1 win at Cashman Field. Carlos Alvarez got things going for the home side, netting in the 24th minute. However, Lights FC really took control in the second half, as Freddy Adu, Samuel Ochoa and Matt Thomas scored for Las Vegas. Josh Suggs did net late to put some pressure on the home side down the stretch, but Martin Maybin was shown a red card moments later for violent conduct, swinging momentum back in the direction of Las Vegas. The opening goal of the match was sent into the penalty box as a cross, but Alvarez’s ball sailed over everyone and eventually past Switchbacks goalkeeper Steward Ceus. Adu, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, finished acrobatically from close range two minutes into the second half, while Ochoa headed in his chance after an inch-perfect cross was sent into the box by Raul Mendiola. Suggs pulled one back for the visitors in the 77th minute, but Thomas worked his way into the box down the left wing in stoppage time and curled in a beautiful strike to secure the team’s first win since March. With the result, Las Vegas improves to 3-4-4 on the year, while Colorado Springs falls to 5-7-2 in 2018.

Scoring:
24’ – LV – Carlos Alvarez (Christian Torres)
47’ – LV – Freddy Adu
58’ – LV – Samuel Ochoa (Raul Mendiola)
77’ – COS – Josh Suggs
90+1’ – LV – Matt Thomas (Zach Mathers)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Las Vegas records its first home win since March 31. Lights FC recorded two draws and fell to San Antonio FC and Real Monarchs SLC at Cashman Field from April 14 through May 26, but the team finally put on a show for the Lights FC faithful. Las Vegas scored four goals on Saturday – the most for it in a single game so far this year.
  • 2. Freddy Adu nets his first goal for Lights FC on his 29th birthday. Adu has played six games (four starts), including Saturday’s, for Las Vegas this season. While he has done well distributing the ball for the expansion team in 2018, making four key passes, the midfielder had yet to finish until meeting the Switchbacks. Before Saturday’s acrobatic effort, Adu had only attempted one other shot this campaign.
  • 3. The Switchbacks’ road record falls to 1-5-0 this season. Colorado Springs has fallen to OKC Energy FC, Orange County SC, Sacramento Republic FC, the Swope Park Rangers, Saint Louis FC and Las Vegas this season – three were shutouts. To make matters worse, Martin Maybin, who has appeared in seven games for Colorado Springs in 2018, will miss action after being shown a red card in the 80th minute.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Carlos Alvarez, Las Vegas Lights FC – Alvarez performed well on both sides of the ball to help Lights FC secure a victory on Saturday, scoring a goal while completing 82.9 percent of his passes. He also recorded one chance created, one tackle and one clearance and won three of four duels on the night.

Upcoming Games:

Las Vegas Lights FC at Phoenix Rising FC – June 13, 10:30 p.m. ET, Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Swope Park Rangers – June 9, 8 p.m. ET, Weidner Field

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