Inglewood duo connects, keys Lights’ victory over Portland
By Jonathan Eskin Las Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Jose Villarreal (24, right) sends a kick into the net with Portland Timbers 2 defender Adrian Diz Pe (87, left) arriving too late during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC fans are bathed in confetti as the team scores over the Portland Timbers 2 during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC staffers Lester Izquierdo, left, and Bojo Ackah battle the fans on field during a massive water balloon fight at halftime in a match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC fans enjoy a massive water balloon fight on field at halftime during their match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC hype man Bojo Ackah is pelted as he escapes the fans on field during a massive water balloon fight at halftime in a match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC fans enjoy a massive water balloon fight on field at halftime during their match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC mascot Cash the Soccer Rocker is pelted by fans on field during a massive water balloon fight at halftime in a match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC fans enjoy a massive water balloon fight on field at halftime during their match versus Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Irvin Parra (11, center) is taken down by Portland Timbers 2 forward Ryan Sierakowski (29, left) as his teammate defender Caleb Kiner (88, right) moves in during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Thomas Olsen (1, right) pulls in a header from a Portland Timbers 2 near the goal during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Portland Timbers 2 forward Dairon Asprilla (27) just misses a bicycle kick towards the net with Las Vegas Lights FC defender Kevin Garcia-Lopez (3) just missing a header during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Thomas Olsen (1) yells instructions to his teammates versus Portland Timbers 2 during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC Owner/CEO Brett Lashbrook takes in the match versus Portland Timbers 2 from the upper balcony on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Thomas Olsen (1, right) snatches the ball on a header attempt to the goal by Portland Timbers 2 forward Dairon Asprilla (27) during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC fans are bathed in confetti as they celebrate their 1-0 win over Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Fans cheer for free merchandise during the Las Vegas Lights FC versus Portland Timbers 2 match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC head coach Eric Wynalda emerges from the smoke onto the field to face the Portland Timbers 2 in their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC goalkeeper Thomas Olsen (1) deflects another shot on goal as Portland Timbers 2 forward Ryan Sierakowski (29)and Las Vegas Lights FC defender Kevin Garcia-Lopez (3) near during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Jose Villarreal (24) advances the ball while fighting off Portland Timbers 2 midfielder Eryk Williamson (30) during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Irvin Parra (11, center) heads the ball towards the goal between Portland Timbers 2 defender Adrian Diz Pe (87, left) and teammate defender Caleb Kiner (88, right) during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Irvin Parra (11, right) heads the ball towards a teammate past Portland Timbers 2 defender Caleb Kiner (88, left) to set up a goal during their match on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Irvin Raul Parra assisted on a goal by fellow Inglewood, California, native Jose Villarreal, and Thomas Olsen had five saves in his ninth shutout of the season as Lights FC notched a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers 2 in a United Soccer League match Saturday at Cashman Field.
Villarreal’s goal, his first of the season, came in the 45th minute as the Lights (8-10-6) improved to 7-1-4 at home. The Timbers (8-9-8) controlled possession at 53 percent and had a 13-9 edge in shots, including a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.
On a night recognizing the UNLV men’s and soccer teams, local product Olsen tied his season high in saves.
Parra’s header from close range created a rebound that Villarreal converted from the 6-yard box. The assist was Parra’s team-best fifth of the season.
Lights captain Bryan De La Fuente returned after a six-month absence because of a torn ACL, entering as a substitute in the 71st minute.
The Lights improved to 2-2-0 against Portland dating to last season. They return to action at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Tulsa Roughnecks FC (4-13-7) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
