BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC’s late rally was not enough Saturday night as the Black and Gold fell 2-1 to Las Vegas Lights FC at Protective Stadium.
Las Vegas struck first in the 15th minute when Oalex Anderson found the back of the net to give the visitors an early advantage. The Lights doubled their lead in the 60th minute as Jonathan Rodriguez finished off a chance created by Christian Pinzón, putting Birmingham in a two-goal hole.
Legion controlled much of the possession throughout the evening, but struggled to convert opportunities against the Las Vegas defense.
Head Coach Jay Heaps turned to his bench in search of a spark, bringing on Samuel McIllhatton, Serge Ngoma, and Sebastián Saucedo during the second half. “I love the way we tried to end the game, passion, fight; I just wish we started the game that way.” Heaps says after a discussion with the team, “We played timmmid.”
The breakthrough finally came in the 89th minute. Tyler Pasher delivered a ball into the box that found Saucedo, who finished from close range for his first USL Championship goal of the season and cut the deficit to one.
Birmingham continued to push forward during stoppage time but could not find an equalizer before the final whistle. ” I thought we defended well, but these games come down to moments.” Defender Keegan Hughes says. “Soccer is played in 90 minutes, but it all comes down to a few key moments. You have to capitalize on those moments.” Defender Keegan Hughes
Legion finished with 13 shots and 29 touches inside the opposition box, while Pasher led the team with three chances created. Samuel Shashoua recorded three shots, while Gevork Diarbian, Ronaldo Damus, and Ngoma each added multiple attempts.
Goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat made two saves for Birmingham. “You go with your instinct and hope for the best,” Koleilat says. “I think we need to feel the emotions of the game a bit more.”
The result snaps the momentum gained from Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Corpus Christi FC and leaves Legion searching for points as the USL Championship schedule continues.
Legion heads to Oakland next week and returns to Protective Stadium on June 20th.
