LAS VEGAS — Cristian Olivera scored two goals to lift the Los Angeles Football Club to a 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Lights FC in a U.S. Open Cup match Wednesday night at Cashman Field.
Olivera broke the 1-1 tie in the 70th minute, then scored an insurance goal in injury time as LAFC avoided an upset and advanced to the round of 16 in the oldest soccer tournament in the world. country.
The 2023 MLS runner-up will host Loudoun United FC, a USL Championship team from Leesburg, Virginia, in the round of 16. Loudoun defeated Orange County SC, 2-1, Tuesday night.
Kei Kamara scored his first goal in an LAFC uniform after a corner kick in the 47th minute to give his team the lead, but Shawn Smart of the Lights equalized with a header in the 56th minute.
Neither team threatened much in the first half, but things got more physical late in the half and LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo was shown a red card in the final minute for everything he said during a conversation with officials.
Olivera’s first goal came on a rebound. Omar Campos’ initial shot from the left of the goal was saved by the Vegas keeper, but the ball bounced straight to OIivera in front of the open net and he converted to take the lead.
LAFC fended off a few Vegas threats before Olivera scored again for the two-goal cushion.
Good place. Good time. 👇
Cristian Olivera is here to give us the lead.#LVvLAFC 1-2 pic.twitter.com/LBnxxfmpka
–LAFC (@LAFC) May 9, 2024
His first goal for the Black & Gold 🫶
Kei Kamara heads up from a cross from Timothy Tillman.#LVvLAFC 0-1 pic.twitter.com/3fFgA2wUWZ
–LAFC (@LAFC) May 9, 2024
First among many to @keikamara
Let’s move on to the next one 💪 pic.twitter.com/9Z0QEyGIRt
–LAFC (@LAFC) May 9, 2024
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