Las Vegas Lights FC - Post-Match Review - Vancouver Whitecaps

Well, in my last post (a preview of the Vancouver game), I predicted a tight scoreline. While we did get that (there was only a goal between the teams), we didn't exactly get the cagey game I was expecting. Instead, we were treated to five goals, plus a few sendings off for good measure.

It was a pretty wild game. The Whitecaps raced out to a an early lead, highlighted by a great goal from Alphosno Davies. That kid is good. He completely outpaced the entire team in a coast-to-coast effort that really left our defense, and goalkeeper, looking a bit silly. I suppose we should just be glad that we probably won't be facing many teams with Davies' raw talent in the regular season.

Pace for dayyyyssss. #VWFC pic.twitter.com/KH59knriYR

— Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) February 18, 2018

The Whitecaps were pretty much in control of the game, and then our captain Marcelo Alatorre got a straight red card for elbowing Davies in the head on 56 minutes. Just like last game, a real bone-headed move from a Lights player proves costly. There was absolutely no reason to have his arms up in that situation - Davies was yards from goal, and Alatorre was the clear favorite to win the ball. It's the kind of mistake that the coaching staff really needs to eliminate.

Then, to make matters more exciting, our head coach Chelis got into some handbags with the Vancouver assistant coach, and then the Vancouver head coach, which led to bout Chelis and their assistant getting sent to the stands.

Full incident from earlier in #LVvVAN:

-#LightsFC captain Marcelo Alatorre sent off for elbowing Davies in the head.
-Kamara almost gets in a fight with Alatorre
-Chelís confronts #VWFC assistant Martyn Pert
-Chelís confronts Carl Robinson
-Chelís + Pert sent off#Scenes #Vegas pic.twitter.com/PCRAHRA9MX

— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) February 18, 2018

Chelis watched the rest of the game - while smoking a few cigarettes - from the front row of the stands.

That feeling when you get ejected and then watch your team erase a 2-0 deficit. #Vegas #ElChelis #VWFC pic.twitter.com/dyYCjb9erz

— Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) February 18, 2018

Weirdly enough, however, that confrontation proved to be the spark that lifted the Lights into showing some life. Though playing a man down, our No. 10 (Juan Calderon) struck back twice to erase the deficit, first with a quality free kick, and second from the spot.

THE FIRST GOAL IN LIGHTS FC HISTORY!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/kITUdESa7X

— Las Vegas Lights FC (@lvlightsfc) February 18, 2018

Right after Juan José Calderón scored on a free kick, he added another goal for #LightsFC on a penalty to make it 2-2 vs #VWFC! Flares and smoke bombs going off, fans going wild, Chelis in the stands.....this game is LIT!! #LVvVAN #LightItUp #VivaLights #Vegas pic.twitter.com/f4fUA8bwmU

— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) February 18, 2018

That first goal was quite the opening salvo for a new team. It was about as picture perfect as a free kick can be. I think we know who is going to be the taker this season.

A few minutes later, Vancouver restored their lead through another PK, after our center-back Huiqui handled the ball in our box. 

Overall, it was a showing that inspired a bit more confidence than our last friendly. Losing by one goal to a higher-division side is nothing to be ashamed of. And we got our attack off the mark, with two goals. 

That doesn't mean the performance completely eliminated my concerns from last game, however. Actually, if anything, it may have reinforced them. We still saw a few dumb defensive mistakes that led to our team getting punished, both with the red card and the handball. And though we did actually score some goals this game, they both came from set plays. 

We play D.C. United in a few games time, let's hope we can build on this performance by a) cutting out the mistakes, and b) grabbing a goal (or two) from open play.