LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Lights FC answered an early goal by Oakland Roots SC midway through the first half as the sides played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Cashman Field, keeping Lights FC above the playoff line in the Western Conference standings.

Roots SC jumped out to a perfect start as Mikael Johnsen made a surging run through midfield before finding Ottar Magnus Karlsson near the top of the penalty area, where the Icelandic striker took one touch to control and then lashed home a finish from 22 yards. Lights FC answered on its first shot of the game in the 24th minute, however, as Alex Lara rose to head home off a corner kick by Daron Iskenderian from the left to bring the hosts level. Two minutes later, Oakland almost regained the lead as Dariusz Formella dug out a cross from the left byline to find Karlsson, whose header was tipped over the crossbar by Las Vegas’ Tomas Romero, while Roberto Molina also shot just over from 14 yards just past the half-hour mark for Lights FC as the teams went to the break level.

Oakland again almost went back on top just past the hour-mark as Juan Carlos Azocar cut a cross back for Charlie Dennis from the left and the English playmaker’s first-time shot rattled the left post. Las Vegas defender Chase Bromstedt then made a key intervention with seven minutes to go after Oakland’s Jesus Enriquez controlled well in the right side of the penalty area but saw the ball clipped off his foot by Bromstedt and behind for a corner kick before he could shoot. Neither side was able to find a late winner, however, as Oakland was forced to settle for its league-high sixth draw of the season.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Alex Lara, Las Vegas Lights FC – Lara scored the equalizer for the hosts and completed 30 of 35 passes while making nine recoveries and one interception defensively as the game ended all square.

Scoring Summary
OAK – Ottar Magnus Karlsson (Mikael Johnsen) 3’
LV – Alex Lara (Daron Iskenderian) 24’

Full Box Score