The San Diego Loyal SC will be out to get back in the win column when it hosts the Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, July 25, at Torero Stadium. Kick-off is 7 p.m.
The Loyal, undefeated in its opening three matches of the 2020 USL Championship season, suffered its first loss on Sunday, 1-0, to the visiting LA. Galaxy II in a match closed to spectators.
It was Loyal’s first home match in nearly four months due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) schedule pause.
“They dominated the match from start to finish,” Loyal manager Landon Donovan said. “It was disappointing because we wanted to have a good showing.
“We were fortunately, honestly, that (goalkeeper) Jon Kempin played so well. He kept us in the match but sometimes you have a bad night and you find a way to score. That would have helped us a lot. We did create some good chances but not enough to impact the game.”
The Galaxy II, the reserve team for the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, netted the match’s lone goal in the 71st minute by Jesus Vazquez on a play that started on a corner kick. Jorge Hernandez made a cross to the side of the net to Augustine Williams, who then headed the ball in front of the net to Vazquez, who scored on a diving header.
The Loyal’s best chance came on a low laser shot by forward Francis Atuahene that hit the goalpost and bounced harmlessly away.
Despite the loss, the Loyal (2-1-1, seven points) still leads the Galaxy II (2-1-0, six points) by one point in the Group B standings.
Las Vegas enters its upcoming match against the Loyal with a 0-0-1 record, with that tie coming against the San Diego team in the teams’ season opener on March 7.
Bonita Vista High School alumnus Ramon Martin Del Campo is currently rostered on the Las Vegas team.
Martin Del Campo scored the game-winning penalty kick in the Barons’ 6-5 shootout win over the Hilltop Lancers in the 2011 San Diego Section Division II championship game.
Del Campo later played four years at UC Davis before turning professional.
Phoenix Rising FC (2-0-1, seven points) is tied with the Loyal for the Group B lead.
