Las Vegas Lights FC takes a point back home after an intense 0-0 draw against the Oakland Roots in the Bay Area.
After two matches at home and a bye week, the Lights entered Week 4 with the intention of earning three points in their first away match of the season. The opponent? Oakland Roots, who are last in the Western Conference, but have been emboldened by the huge support of their fans at the Oakland Coliseum.
It was not going to be easy, and the first 45 minutes was clear evidence of that.
The first half was very physical, with both teams fighting it out in midfield and creating few quality chances. The second half was more dynamic, with the Roots having the best opportunity of the match when an acrobatic shot by their forward hit the woodwork. The Lights were consistently pressing around the opponent’s box, trying to open the Roots’ defensive setup, but were unsuccessful in all their efforts.
After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle to leave the score right where it started: 0-0.
The Turning Point
The turning point of the game must be Nocerino’s halftime tactical transformation of the team.
The Lights’ starting lineup formed a typical 3-4-2-1 formation, with two wingbacks who take over the wings and two inside forwards who attempt to attack half-spaces and assist the striker.
Given that the team couldn’t penetrate Oakland’s defense, Nocerino changed the team to a 4-3-3 formation, with Valentin Noel taking the role of the #10 and the inside forwards becoming wingers. Both Maliek Howell and Rory O’Driscoll entered as substitutes to facilitate the change.
This allowed the team to be more fluid and connected in attack, and this led to a more dynamic attack throughout the second half.
Despite a few quality chances, the Lights always seemed to miss that final puzzle piece with the wrong decision, cross, or shot at the crucial moment, leaving them unable to unlock the Roots’ defense.
What They’re Saying
Head Coach Antonio Nocerino
On his overall thoughts on the match…
“It’s a good game because the team doesn’t risk anything [unnecessarily] in the first half. In the second half, they also didn’t risk anything.
Of course, we created three or four [dangerous] situations, but when we created the situations, we made a mistake in the last pass or the decision, cross, or shot.
I am happy for the performance, though, because the players played well with good quality and intensity.
For us, it’s important to continue in this way to create chances, work hard, and look forward to the next game.”
On whether he was satisfied with the team taking his “if you don’t win the game, don’t lose the game” advice after the loss to New Mexico…
“Exactly, exactly. The point is a point. At the end, you work and you train for the Saturday. The Saturday for me is important. You don’t lose. When you have an opportunity to win, of course you win.
But, when you don’t have the opportunity to win, it is important that you don’t lose.
The New Mexico match taught us a lot, and for us it’s important to not lose the point and create the continuity of results.
It’s important to move up the table, collect more points, and continue to play much better. I know we can as the training has been great as the players are happy and enjoying the football.”