Las Vegas Lights FC defeated New Mexico United 1-0 at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday in the Western Conference Semifinal. Khori Bennett scored the match’s lone goal in the 86th minute to shock the West’s top seed and send Las Vegas to its first Western Conference Final against the winner of Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Orange County SC.
New Mexico had the first chance in the 16th minute when Marco Micaletto got free after a New Mexico turnover in Las Vegas’s defensive third and fired a shot from 25 yards out that went just wide of Raiko Arozarena’s net.
Four minutes later, New Mexico threatened again when Micaletto whipped in a cross that Mukwelle Akale slid to redirect on goal, but it was right at Arozarena.
Will Seymore unleashed a shot from distance in the 28th minute on a counterattack that forced Arozarena down to his left to parry it out for a corner.
Arozarena made his best save of the half in the 33rd minute when he got low to deny Marlon Vargas on a kick beautiful kick save that deflected wide of the net.
After a scoreless first half, Zico Bailey started the second half strong for New Mexico with a shot from 25 yards out that forced Arozarena to dive to his right and push aside.
Solomon Asante had the first good opportunity for Las Vegas in the 53rd minute when his shot from the top of the box just nearly snuck over the crossbar.
Daniel Bruce appeared to have a breakaway in behind in the 69th minute, but Ousman Jabang made an incredible recovery run to dispossess Bruce in the box and quell the attack.
Bennett stunned The Lab in the 86th minute when Christian Pinzón picked off a pass from Bailey in midfield and sent a wonderful through ball to Bennett on a counterattack. Bennett took a few dribbles toward the left side of the goal before depositing a calm left-footed finish that beat Alex Tambakis for the late lead.
Bennett’s goal was the first and only shot on target for the Lights, who withstood a flurry of New Mexico chances despite winning the possession battle with 66% of the ball.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
There goes that man
Bennett came up huge again to score the first postseason goal in Lights franchise history. The Jamaican had a team-high 14 goals in the regular season, which was tied for fifth in the USL Championship.
Another clean sheet
The Lights continue to ride the back of Arozarena, who had another stellar performance on Saturday to earn his second straight postseason clean sheet. The Cuban international made seven saves against New Mexico a week after stopping three penalties in Las Vegas’s Round One win over Sacramento Republic FC.
Two wins from a title
The Lights’ magical 2024 season continues, as they are now just two wins away from lifting the USL Championship trophy. Las Vegas will await the winner of the other Western Conference Semifinal between Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Orange County SC, who face off in Colorado on Sunday. A Colorado Springs win would send Las Vegas on the road, while an OCSC victory would see Las Vegas host the Western Conference Final at Cashman Field.
SCORING SUMMARY
LV – Khori Bennett 86’ (Assist: Christian Pinzón)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – Joe Hafferty 6’ (caution)
NM – Eric Quill 40’ (caution)
NM – Technical Area 42’ (caution)
LV – Christian Pinzón 54’ (caution)
LV – J.C. Ngando 86’ (caution)
NM – Mukwelle Akale 89’ (caution)
LV – Technical area 90+6’ (ejection)
LINEUPS AND STATS | USL Championship Match Center
Las Vegas Lights FC – Raiko Arozarena; Grayson Doody, Joe Hafferty, Ousman Jabang, Gennaro Nigro; J.C. Ngando (Dre Fortune 90’), Charlie Adams (Elias Gärtig 71’); Solomon Asante (Coleman Gannon 71’), Valentin Noël, Christian Pinzón, (Maliek Howell 90’); Khori Bennett (Joe Gyau 90’)
Substitutes not used: Nicholas Ammeter, Vaughn Covil
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 14
Corner kicks: 4
Offside: 0
Saves: 7
New Mexico United – Alex Tambakis; Will Seymore, Anthony Herbert, Talen Maples, Chris Gloster; Nanan Houssou, Zico Bailey (Harry Swartz 90’); Marlon Vargas (Avionne Flanagan 66’), Marco Micaletto (Nicky Hernandez 85’); Mukwelle Akale (Kalen Ryden 90’); Daniel Bruce (Abu Danladi 85’)
Substitutes not used: Kris Shakes, Abdi Mohamed
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 14
Corner kicks: 8
Offside: 2
Saves: 0
