LAS VEGAS – Steevan Dos Santos scored both goals as the Tampa Bay Rowdies took a 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night at Cashman Field to clinch the best record in the Championship’s regular season and homefield advantage throughout the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires.

The Rowdies took the lead in the 12th minute in a slightly strange sequence that saw Leo Fernandes have a pass partially blocked but still spin toward the left side of the penalty area. Sebastian Guenzatti went in pursuit while Las Vegas goalkeeper Alex Rando came off his line, but the ball eluded both as it hopped between them and ended up with Dos Santos, who finished into the open net.

Guenzatti almost added a second in more conventional manner 10 minutes later as Fernandes found space on the left to deliver a cross the Rowdies’ captain caught on the half-volley to force a sharp save by Rando. Two minutes later, however, Lights FC pulled level when a long ball forward by Mohamed Traore found the run of Danny Trejo into the left channel, and the first-year pro delivered an outstanding first-time finish that lifted over Rowdies goalkeeper Evan Louro into the top-right corner of the net.

Las Vegas went close again a minute before halftime when Julian Vazquez fired wide of the right post from 25 yards, while early in the second half Cal Jennings drove into the right side of the penalty area for the hosts and had his shot parried away by Louro. Lights FC then might have taken the lead in the 56th minute when Jennings again cut into the right side of the penalty and drew Louro off his line before cutting a pass back for a first-time shot by Trejo that was cleared off the line by Rowdies defender Jordan Scarlett, who then recovered to win the header and help the visitors clear to safety.

Tampa Bay regained the lead five minutes later, however, as Lewis Hilton and Laurence Wyke manufactured a move in the left channel that resulted in Wyke delivering a pass to Dos Santos in the center of the penalty area for a turning shot that picked out the bottom-left corner of the net.

From there, Tampa Bay was able to see out the game as the hosts were unable to find a decisive move in the final third that challenged Louro in the final 20 minutes, allowing the Rowdies to clinch the best record in the Championship and homefield advantage throughout the postseason.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Steevan Dos Santos, Tampa Bay Rowdies – The Cape Verde forward notched both goals for the visitors on his two shots for the game and also recorded four key passes while winning 8 of 12 duels leading the forward line.

Scoring Summary
TBR – Steevan Dos Santos 12’
LV – Danny Trejo (Mohamed Traore) 24’
TBR – Steevan Dos Santos (Laurence Wyke) 61’

Full Box Score