SD Loyal SC dominate Las Vegas Lights FC 5-1
Credit: SD Loyal
The San Diego Loyal break their club record with five goals en-route to the 5-1 victory.
It turned into a very special night in San Diego after a thrilling five-goal victory. The Loyal hadn’t scored more than three in any match they have played and finished with five, with four coming in the second half.
San Diego came into the match fourth in the Pacific Division with 24 points but ended the night in third with 27 points after a dominating performance.
The Loyal continue to run up the numbers against Las Vegas, as they have yet to lose to them ever.
Manager Landon Donovan started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Trey Muse returning to goal and Corey Hertzog at forward.
Alejandro Guido returned to the starting XI after coming in as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to the Tacoma Defiance. Charlie Adams once again wore the captain’s armband as he usually does.
16-year-old Ian Mai became the youngest player to ever start a match for the Loyal, Wednesday night. He started at left-back alongside defenders Grant Stoneman, Josh Yaro, and Oliver Larraz. Larraz played very well in his first start of the season last Saturday night.
San Diego connected with a goal very early into the match in the 2nd minute. Hertzog assisted with a cross to Miguel Ibarra from about six yards away.
Drawn up in the locker room. Worked on in training. Executed on match day. ✅
Perfection! 👌#SDvLV pic.twitter.com/zYhDFUAZ9O
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) August 19, 2021
The Loyal continue to be the first team to score first, as that makes three of their last four matches taking the early lead.
The lead would not hold for the Loyal as the half winded down. Las Vegas evened the match at one with an electrifying goal from Cal Jennings. Jennings sprinted ahead of Elijah Martin, stopped, and adjusted his shot to fire it past Muse for the goal.
San Diego and LV went into halftime even at one, with SD controlling possession at around 60%.
The second half of the match turned Torero Stadium into a frenzy. The Loyal scored two goals in under a minute around the 70th-minute mark, taking an impressive 3-1 lead.
Jack Blake scored the first goal, assisted by Ibarra for the easy finish.
Someone say team chemistry? ⚽️🧪
Everyone got in on this one! #SDvLV | 2-1 pic.twitter.com/npppFS0iWg
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) August 19, 2021
The fans weren’t done cheering for the first goal when Tumi Moshobane broke loose for his fourth goal of the season.
It’s Tumi Time, all the time! 🗣#SDvLV pic.twitter.com/B7UN0Yhc5d
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) August 19, 2021
The goals just kept coming! Moshobane would score again just a few minutes later for his fifth of the season.
Another youngster, 17-year-old CJ Fodrey, subbed in late in the match and instantly made his mark. He connected with his first professional goal to take a giant 5-1 lead in the 88th minute.
Mark it down! ✍️
August 18, 2021. The day @CJFodrey subbed on and moments later became a San Diego legend! pic.twitter.com/MFuJxrv0uL
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) August 19, 2021
Fodery couldn’t have been happier about his first goal in a Loyal uniform. Fodrey was born in Coronado.
“When I saw the moment coming, it felt like it was going in slow motion,” Fodrey said. “I received a yellow card for taking my shirt off but, but I don’t care, that was the best yellow I’ve ever gotten. That was one of the best moments of my life.”
The second half was the best soccer the Loyal had played in a really long time, if ever.
Donovan loved what he saw out there but didn’t shy away from the fact they must move on quickly.
“It’s over,” Donovan said about his message to the club after the win. “We gotta get ready for Orange County. Obviously it’s nice to enjoy a big win, but right now it’s done. This is home, we gotta recover well mentally, emotionally, and obviously physically. This is a big game against a rival.”
The next match for the Loyal is Saturday, August 21, at 7:30 pm. They host Orange County SC for their third matchup of the season.
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Additional News
- Stoneman was removed from the match in the 30th minute with a lower-body injury. He also received a yellow card before the injury.
- Muse also seemed to have banged up his hand fight before the Stoneman injury. He stayed in the match.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris is also an athlete and is huge fan of San Diego sports. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and contributes regularly about the Padres.