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USL Las Vegas Lights FC

Lights FC Rise in Added Time for a Thrilling 3-3 Draw against Phoenix

August 23, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Las Vegas Lights FC News Release


Las Vegas Lights FC celebrates a goal against Phoenix Rising
Las Vegas Lights FC celebrates a goal against Phoenix Rising
(Las Vegas Lights FC)

Las Vegas (NV) - Heart, determination and never giving up. That's what Lights FC showed on a hot and humid Saturday night at Cashman Field.

Phoenix Rising is the defending USL Regular Season champions and entered this game as the team with the best point tally in the Western Conference. They kicked off showing that dominance they're characterized for by taking the lead just five minutes into the first half courtesy of a strike from Rufat Dadashow.

Las Vegas had opportunities in the first half, out-shooting Rising FC 12 to 5. But none of those shots were on target.

The second half was a hard fought battle with back and forth actions between these squads, with the visiting side extending their lead courtesy of USL's top scorer Junior Flemmings, who in the 67th minute found the back of the net for the tenth time this season.

Lights FC got one back in the 80th minute with a Yamikani Chester header, this was the first goal for the Malawi National Team member since joining Las Vegas as a free agent in the offseason.

A penalty kick was called in favor of Phoenix in the 90th minute that USL Championship MVP Solomon Asante kicked to his right, Lights FC goalkeeper "Lalo" Delgado deflected the ball, but it still ended up going into the back of the net.

With this being the first time in the 2020 season that Lights FC's defense has allowed multiple goals at Cashman Field, it seemed like it was "Mission Impossible" to get a comeback in added time ... but never tell this team the odds, especially in Las Vegas.

An own-goal from A.J. Cochran in the fourth minute of added time put the Lights' within one score. And when a foul was called in favor of Las Vegas in the 99th minute, the equivalent of a soccer hail-mary happened with Junior Burgos taking a free kick from midfield. Ramon Martin Del Campo knocked it down with his head to Las Vegas native Blake Frischknecht, who hit the ball with his heel back to Martin Del Campo who completed an epic come-from-behind 3-3 draw against the best team in USL Championship's Western Conference.

Lights FC will close this three-game homestand on Tuesday, August 25 with a nationally broadcast match against Orange County SC at 7:30 p.m. The game will be aired live on TV by ESPN Deportes and streamed on ESPN+. Media can CLICK HERE to RSVP and cover the match in-person at Cashman Field.

SCORING SUMMARY

0-1: 5' (PHX) Rufat Dadashov 0-2: 68' (PHX) Junior Flemmings 1-2: 80' (LV) Yamikani Chester 1-3: 90' (PHX) Solomon Asante 2-3: 90+6' (LV) A.J. Cochran - Own Goal 3-3: 90+9' (LV) Ramon Martin Del Campo

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Las Vegas Lights FC celebrates a goal against Phoenix Rising
Las Vegas Lights FC celebrates a goal against Phoenix Rising
   

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 23, 2020


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