Burke Strikes as Lexington Shows Fight in Narrow Loss at El Paso
April 6, 2025 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Lexington Sporting Club News Release
LEXINGTON, KY - Lexington Sporting Club's USL Championship Men's Team delivered a spirited performance on the road, showing resilience in a narrow 2-1 result against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night.
The visitors nearly opened the scoring early in the 11th minute when defender #24 Kieran Sargeant powered a header toward goal, only for a Locomotive defender to clear it off the line. Just minutes later, #8 Nick Firmino attempted an ambitious overhead kick off a corner, connecting well but sending the ball just wide.
El Paso capitalized on a set piece in the 22nd minute when #16 Gabriel Torres served a pinpoint corner to #25 Palermo Ortiz, who headed home the opening goal. The hosts doubled their lead in the 41st minute as #6 Eric Calvillo slid a perfectly weighted ball through to #13 Andy Cabrera, who finished calmly to make it 2-0.
Lexington responded with urgency after the break. In the 52nd minute, #6 Joe Hafferty delivered a dangerous cross to #10 Sofiane Djeffal, whose first-time strike was met with a solid save by the El Paso keeper.
The breakthrough came in the 68th minute, as veteran striker #99 Corey Burke found space in the box, thanks to a swift assist from #37 Eliot Goldthorp, and slotted home a composed finish to pull one back for Lexington. The goal sparked momentum for the visitors, who pushed forward in search of an equalizer throughout the final stretch.
Lexington Sporting Club returns home next week to take on Las Vegas Lights FC, looking to build on the strong second-half performance and continue their positive progression in their inaugural USL Championship season.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 6, 2025
- Postmatch Reaction: Phoenix Rising 2 - San Antonio FC 1 - Phoenix Rising FC
- San Antonio FC Falls to Phoenix Rising FC 1-2 - San Antonio FC
- Rising Defeat San Antonio FC 2-1 to Secure First Victory - Phoenix Rising FC
- Burke Strikes as Lexington Shows Fight in Narrow Loss at El Paso - Lexington Sporting Club
- Republic FC Draws Louisville City FC, 1-1 - Sacramento Republic FC
- El Paso Locomotive FC Secure Nine Points in Eight Days After 2-1 Home Win Over Lexington SC - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Dia's Late Equalizer Extends LouCity's Unbeaten Run at Sacramento - Louisville City FC
- Orange County SC Falls to Las Vegas Late in a 1-0 Loss in the Death - Orange County SC
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