LAS VEGAS – The LA Galaxy II scored a 90th-minute winner through Remi Cabral a minute after Las Vegas Lights FC had equalized through Nathan Sepulveda as the visitors took a 3-2 victory at Cashman Field on Friday night after a wild ending between the Pacific Division rivals.

Both teams took time to settle into a rhythm in the attacking third with a shot that flew well over the crossbar by the Galaxy II’s Axel Picazo the best chance for either side in the opening 20 minutes. Los Dos went closer in the 24th minute, however, as they turned over possession in the Las Vegas end setting up an initial chance for Taylor Davila that was blocked before he sent the rebound to his left for Preston Judd who fired just over the crossbar.

Returning from making his debut for El Salvador last weekend, Las Vegas’ Roberto Molina had the first big chance for the hosts on the half-hour mark as Bruce El-mesmeri beat his man on the left and centered a low cross that Molina turned on target under pressure only for LA goalkeeper Justin vom Steeg to keep the ball out. But six minutes Lights FC took the lead as Frank Daroma stepped up to intercept a pass in midfield and quickly lifted a pass forward for local product Danny Musovski into the left side of the penalty area for a low finish to the right corner and his fifth goal of the season.

The lead lasted only three minutes for Los Dos to answer as Las Vegas native Judd turned home his ninth goal of the season. A lifted ball down the left flank by Davila allowed Josh Drack to track the ball down in space and the rookie cut back a cross to Judd in the center of the penalty area for a first-time finish to the right corner of the net and his fifth goal against Lights FC this season.

Judd went close to a second in first-half stoppage time as he drifted centrally to the top of the penalty area from the left and curled a shot to the right corner that was turned away by Las Vegas goalkeeper Alex Rando. Jorge Hernandez then hit the right post with a low shot four minutes into the second half for the visitors after he’d been played between defenders by Carlos Harvey.

The Galaxy II hit the woodwork again midway through the second half as Cameron Dunbar clipped the crossbar with a rising shot after he was played into the right side of the penalty area on a counterattack, but Hernandez struck for his eighth goal of the season with 20 minutes to go as the visitors were awarded a penalty kick when Daniel Aguirre was brought down by Daroma in the box. Hernandez stepped up and fired a left-footed shot into the top-right corner of the net past the dive of Rando.

Dunbar continued to be lively after coming on just past the hour-mark for recent Honduras call-up Danilo Acosta and forced a good save from Rando with 10 minutes to go as he cut onto his left foot at the top-right edge of the penalty area and fired a curling shot on target. Lights FC then had a chance to level shortly after as Julian Vazquez created space well on the left flank and delivered a cross that Vom Steeg parried to Las Vegas’ Tony Leone, but his shot went just over the crossbar from 10 yards.

The game ended in wild fashion, however, as Lights FC leveled in the 89th minute as a corner kick from the right came to CC Uche in the left side of the penalty area for a first-time effort that was redirected by Sepulveda at the top of the six-yard area and into the left side of the net. Once more, though, Los Dos responded a minute later from a set piece of its own as a corner from the left was kept alive by Kai Koreniuk on the goal line to the left of the net as he headed back into the six-yard area where first Harvey turned the ball on net before Cabral got the final touch to send it into the net.

Las Vegas was reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as Leone was sent off, but the hosts had one final chance to level after being awarded a free kick outside the top-left edge of the penalty area 25 yards from goal. There was no late-game magic for Lights FC’s Molina and after his curling shot went off target the final whistle blew moments later to end another high-scoring clash between the two sides.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II – Hernandez scored from the penalty spot and had three shots and a 2021 single-game high of 11 key passes as he pulled the strings for Los Dos to send the visitors on their way to victory.

Scoring Summary
LV – Danny Musovski (Frank Daroma) 36’
LA – Preston Judd (Josh Drack) 39’
LA – Jorge Hernandez (Penalty Kick) 70’
LV – Nathan Sepulveda (CC Uche) 89’
LA – Remi Cabral 90’

Full Box Score