LAS VEGAS – Valentin Noël scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot as Raiko Arozarena saved three shots in a deciding shootout to lead Las Vegas Lights FC to a 3-2 victory in a penalty shootout against Sacramento Republic FC after the sides had played to a 0-0 draw through extra time in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix.

Arozarena starred as the Lights claimed victory in their first postseason game in club history. The Cuban international made three consecutive saves on Republic FC’s Justin Portillo, Damia Viader and Russell Cicerone, but was matched through the opening two rounds by Sacramento counterpart Danny Vitiello, who denied Khori Bennett and J.C. Ngando for the Lights.

Shooting second in the third round, however, Coleman Gannon converted, and the Lights pushed through. Grayson Doody’s calm shot to the bottom-right corner kept their advantage in the fourth round before Noël clinched a place in the Western Conference Semifinals, where the side will face either No. 1 seed New Mexico United or No. 8 seed Phoenix Rising FC next weekend.

The Lights had set the tempo early, but both sides had early chances off set pieces as Republic FC’s Kieran Phillips couldn’t get full purchase on a header that was saved before Las Vegas’ Charlie Adams forced Vitiello into a tipped save on a long-range free kick. The hosts threatened again just past the half-hour mark as Christian Pinzon created space in the left side of the penalty area but shot over as he went for the near post as the game went to the break scoreless.

The second half opened in similar fashion, but the Lights almost took the lead 10 minutes after the break as Ousman Jabang played a good through-ball into the left channel for Pinzon, whose cross aimed for Khori Bennett at the far post was redirected on target by Republic FC defender Lee Desmond, forcing a point-blank save from Vitiello. The hosts continued to generate more pressure, and with 12 minutes left in regulation a good inside-out move by Ngando set up Gannon for a first-time strike that went high before Gennaro Nigro fired a half-volley from 25 yards after a cross was half-cleared by the visitors that was held by Vitiello in stoppage time, sending the game to extra time.

After the Lights had controlled much of the second half, the hosts continued to press early in extra time, but as the 15-minute period progressed, Sacramento started to come back into the game in terms of possession and territory. It wasn’t until the second period of extra time that Republic FC threatened as Damia Viader stabbed an effort on target from 12 yards off a flick by Trevor Amann. Ngando also had a half-chance as he cut inside from the left only for his effort to be easily gathered by Vitiello.

The Lights then almost grabbed victory in the 119th minute when Gannon received possession in space in the right side of the penalty area, allowing him to fire a near-post shot that Vitiello tipped onto the upright as the carom saw it fly away to safety. The hosts held their nerve from the spot, however, to secure another historic landmark for their season.

Three Things That Mattered

1. RAIKO COMES UP CLUTCH: There’s a history of clutch playoff performances in the Arozarena family – Randy was key at the plate when the Tampa Bay Rays advanced to the World Series in 2020 – but on Friday night his younger brother Raiko stepped up to the mark to make the difference for Las Vegas Lights. The Cuban international had stopped 2 of 4 penalties he’d faced in the regular season this campaign, but his three consecutive stops to open the shootout to keep Sacramento from taking the advantage as it shot first paid off as, eventually, his teammates held their nerve in the final three rounds to clinch a place in the next round.

2. PRESSURE TELLS FOR SACRAMENTO: Overall, this was a cautious game. Neither side wanted to overcommit or make the mistake that their opponent could capitalize on. Where the Lights held the upper hand, however, was in their possession and gradual territorial advantage that had the effect of Sacramento working so hard defensively that by the time the second half drew on, Republic FC couldn’t offer much in attacking threat. Add in Sacramento Head Coach Mark Briggs’ reticence to make changes – the visitors made only two substitutions, one of which was in stoppage time of the second half of extra time, and neither of which was Cristian Parano, the best attacking option on the bench – and the weight of the game seemed to take things out of Republic FC. That weight carried into the shootout, where Republic FC came up short.

3. LIGHTS GAME-MANAGEMENT WORKED: By contrast, Lights Head Coach Dennis Sanchez made the right moves at the right moment. The introduction of Coleman Gannon and Grayson Doody with about 15 minutes to play in regulation – with Doody’s substitution for Shawn Smart one of minor necessity after the right back picked up a knock – made a difference in the game. Gannon almost decided the game in extra time with an effort that was just parried onto the post by Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, and he was the first player to convert from the spot, doing so confidently to close the third round. Doody followed in the fourth as the Lights’ substitutes came through impressively.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Game

Raiko Arozarena, Las Vegas Lights FC – The Cuban international proved the difference in the penalty shootout, making saves on Republic FC’s opening three shots to eventually allow them to take advantage and advance.

Scoring Summary
No Goals

Penalty Shootout
Las Vegas Lights FC – Khori Bennett, saved; J.C Ngando, saved; Coleman Gannon, scored; Grayson Doody, scored; Valentin Noël, scored

Sacramento Republic FC – Justin Portillo, saved; Damia Viader, saved; Russell Cicerone, saved; Nick Ross, scored; Luis Felipe Fernandes, scored

Full Box Score