FSM Essential Recap: Lights FC vs Switchbacks FC - Game 7

FSM Essential Recap: Lights FC vs Switchbacks FC – Game 7

Franchise Sports Media

The Las Vegas Lights FC fell short to number one ranked Colorado Switchbacks FC in a close affair at Cashman Field.

The Lights FC faced off against Switchbacks FC in an early 2 PM game this Saturday at Cashman Field. The Lights FC came back from a deficit to lead the game until the Switchbacks continued their undefeated season with a late comeback to send them to their fifth league win in a row with a 3-2 win. 

The Lights FC came out with a completely different lineup since their US Open Cup loss against FC Tucson this past Wednesday, but more similar to the lineup in their last league game win against Charleston Battery. The Lights returned to their 4-4-3 formation, with Abraham Romero keeping his spot as the goalkeeper. Antonio Leone rejoined the squad as a center back alongside Alejandro Lara in place of Dekel Keinen. Mohamed Traore remained as the starting left-back, while Morten Bjorshol kept his spot in the squad at right-back in place of Julian Gaines, who sat this game out due to a minor injury. Captain Daniel Cristosomo, Frank Daroma, and Jorge Almaguer remained the starting three in midfield, while Christian Torres joined starters Daniel Trejo and Cal Jennings as the forwards for this game.   

Despite the five-in-the-back formation being effective against Charleston, the Lights needed to switch back to having more forwards against the best team in the league’s attacking power. This power was shown early from the Switchbacks, as they gained the lead in the 22nd minute with an Elvis Amoh header. 

The Lights FC quickly switched into attacking gears and managed to score just before the end of the first half, when Jennings gained a deflection off a cross that resulted in an own goal to level the game. 

Instead of returning to level play after the first goal, the Lights continued to press and managed to score a second goal. 

A.Romero played a long ball to the Lights FC forward, which resulted in Daniel Trejo assisting a beautiful solo run by Cal Jennings, who buried the ball into the net to give the Lights FC the lead in the 61st minute. 

The Lights FC continued to press and kept possession fairly equal in the second half. Still, ten minutes after they took the lead, a one-two buildup in the Lights FC box from goalscorer Amoh assisted a goal to Zachary Zandi saw the Switchbacks equalize the game. 

In terms of possession and quality of play, this game could’ve easily gone either way for both teams. Both teams played with great attacking and defending opportunities, but individual brilliance is usually the deal-breaker in games like this. We saw this when Cam Lindley scored an insane long shot five minutes after the Switchbacks equalized the game. They would hold on to this lead for an intense 15-minute end to the game and remain undefeated for the season. 

This gives the Lights FC their second loss this week and puts them at ninth place with a 3-3 record. The fans may be unmotivated after two unfortunate 3-2 losses. Still, the team just put up an excellent performance and forced a comeback out of the best team in the league and cemented themselves as a threat to the USL, if they hadn’t already. The performance that this Lights FC team put up against the Switchbacks could’ve easily resulted in a win against the majority of the teams in the league. Let’s just hope the Lights FC keep up this form and return to their winning ways.

The Lights are back in action this upcoming Saturday for another home game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds at 4 PM. Make sure to come out and support or catch this game at ESPN+.

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-Murad Omaish – Franchise Sports Media

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