Lights fall to MLS team in U.S. Open Cup — PHOTOS
Las Vegas Lights FC Gennaro Nigro (33) and Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (99) jump for a header during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder J.C. Ngando (26) works the ball away from Los Angeles FC defender Sergi Palencia (14) and forward Mario Gonzalez (9) during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Abraham Romero (22) saves the ball during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC fans cheer for their team during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Leonardo Diaz (1) kicks the ball into play during the first half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC fans greet players as they take the field for a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Timothy Tillman (11) kicks the ball past Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart (20) during a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart (20) celebrates after scoring a goal on Los Angeles FC during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC fans cheer for their team during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Coleman Gannon (8) drives toward the net against Los Angeles FC defender Omar Campos (2) during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC forward Cristian Olivera (13) and forward Denis Bouanga (99) celebrate their goal during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC exchanges handshakes with Las Vegas Lights FC after winning a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart (20) scores a goal on Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Abraham Romero (22) during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart (20) celebrates after scoring a goal on Los Angeles FC during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC defender Shawn Smart (20) celebrates after scoring a goal on Los Angeles FC during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder J.C. Ngando drives toward the net during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Riki Alba (9) reacts after his teammate missed an attempted goal during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Valentin Noël (27) watches the ball head toward the net alongside Los Angeles FC defender Eddie Segura, left, and midfielder Ilie Sánchez (6) during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Los Angeles FC celebrates after scoring during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Solomon Asante (14) works to keep the ball in bounds during a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 soccer match against the Los Angeles FC at Cashman Field on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Updated May 8, 2024 - 10:22 pm
Cristian Olivera had two goals to lift Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC to a 3-1 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday at Cashman Field in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup round of 32.
Olivera broke a 1-1 tie in the 70th minute and added his second goal in injury time.
Shawn Smart headed home the equalizer in the 56th minute for Lights FC after Kei Kamara scored in the 47th minute to put LAFC ahead.
Lights FC fell to 0-2 all time in competitive matches against MLS teams and 4-5 in the U.S. Open Cup.
