USL San Diego Loyal

SD Loyal Gets First Three Points of Season in Home Opener

May 30, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


San Diego - Chants, drums, applauses and Torrey Green smoke. Those were some of the sights, sounds and smells at Torero Stadium at USD on Saturday night.

Fútbol was back with fans in the stands, and they got to see SD Loyal earn its first points of the 2021 USL Championship season with a 2-1 win against visiting Las Vegas Lights FC.

It was the first soccer action at home with fans for SD Loyal (1-4-0, 3 points) since its inaugural match March 7, 2020. It played a handful of home matches with closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The vibe was different during the Week 5 match against Pacific Division rival, the same one it faced on that inaugural game. This time, it was a hometown player who sent about 2,100 soccer hungry fans in attendance into frenzy.

Alejandro Guido scored his first goal of the season in the 56th minute. The Chula Vista native took a pass from Jack Blake from the right to near the top of the penalty box. It was there where Guido sent a low-rolling, right-footed shot past Las Vegas Lights goalkeeper Alex Rando. Guido celebrated his third goal in 10 games with SD Loyal since joining the club late last season. He raised his arms and shook them as he looked to the dark skies and then onto the loud stands.

"It just changes the game it changes the momentum," Guido said about having fans in the stands. "It gives you more energy in the 70th minute when your legs are getting tired. Just to hear them it's just inspiring."

And as for getting his goal after a handful of attempts that fell short?

"I said 'oh my God' I couldn't believe it. It just didn't want to go in and look at the kind of luck we're having. We stuck through it. We were patient and we were able to find a goal."

Corey Hertzog also found a goal of his own to celebrate. He sent in the game-winner in the 87th minute. He buried a shot after a series of shot were blocked in the six-yard box.

Hertzog and Guido's scoring plays were part of SD Loyal's attempt to pressure Las Vegas early in the second half. SD Loyal had opportunities but couldn't break through. But things began to change assistant coach Nate Miller, who led the team for suspended manager Landon Donovan, sent in the recently signed striker Miguel Berry in the second half. Berry helped attract two or three defenders at times, allowing more space for others to create chances around a backline that finished without starter Mohamed Traore. That's how the loose ball amid a forest of legs and deflections got to Hertzog who put in the game-winner.

"Everything was about putting pressure on them today," Miller said about the plan against Las Vegas. "I thought our high pressure was good. We were able to settle in and take control. We did a good job sticking to the game plan, plugging away and eventually the moment came. You can see what Miguel Berry can do. He's just a handful. He occupied two, three, four defenders sometimes and really allowed us to come in through the lines."

Las Vegas (0-4-0) had taken a 1-0 lead with a 17th minute goal by Alvaro Quezada. He scored on a quick play seconds after SD Loyal's Blake threatened with dangerous header. Quezada sent in a pass from Caleb Jennings, who steered through two SD Loyal defenders all the way to the end line and rolled a pass back in. Quezada took the pass near the six-yard box, leaving Trey Muse without a chance. It was Las Vegas' third goal of the season.

SD Loyal nearly found the net when Jack Blake headed a ball that looked to be heading just inside the top left corner. But Rando got his hands on it at the final moment. The ball then came off the crossbar in the 17th minute. Las Vegas was saved.

SD Loyal earned its first win after playing its first four matches on the road. It heads back on the road when it visits Phoenix Rising FC for the second time this season June 5.

SD Loyal 2, Las Vegas Lights FC 1

SCORING

0-1 (17') Alvaro Quezada (LV)

1-1 (65') Alejandro Guido (SD)

2-1 (87') Corey Hertzog

LINEUP:

SD Loyal -16. Trey Muse, 29. Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 18. Jack Maher, 4. Jack Metcalf, 6. Charlie Adams, 7. Jack Blake, 17. Collin Martin, 3. Elijah Martin, 10. Alejandro Guido (70'- 21. Corey Hertzog), 24. Miguel Ibarra (70', 11. Tumi Moshobane), 9. Ben Spencer (55', 77. Miguel Berry), Coach: Landon Donovan.

Las Vegas Lights FC - 35. Alex Rando, 2. Julian Gaines, 3. Traore Mohamed (48' -6. Nathan Sepulveda), 28. Antonio Leone, 25. Paul Son, 8. Daniel Criostomo, 20. Frank Daroma, 24. Alvaro Quezada, 19. Bryce Duke, 11. Roberto Molina, 17. Caleb Jennings. Coach: Steve Cherundolo

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