Topsy-turvy: Las Vegas Lights 2, LA Galaxy II 2

LA Galaxy II looked like they had wrapped up a comeback victory against Las Vegas Lights in Nevada on Saturday, but a stoppage-time goal from the home side meant the teams split the points with a 2-2 draw.

The draw, coming the same day Los Dos cut defender Omar Ontiveros for his use of a racial slur in the previous game, and with some uncertainty of the official outcome of that game at this point, helps Los Dos in their quest to make the USL Championship Playoffs, but dropping two points could prove costly in the battle to clinch the final playoff ticket in Group B.

Las Vegas grabbed the lead in the 39th minute, as a high, high looping cross from Jordan Murrell was brought down and calmly struck home by Junior Sandoval.

LA tried to push for an equalizer in the second half, and they finally found the answer in the 71st minute, with Augustine Williams taking a ball down over the top off a save from Los Dos goalkeeper Abraham Romero at the other end, and Williams beating the defender to the ball and getting the edge to score at the far post with a fantastic finish.

And then Jonathan Perez scored the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute, with Las Vegas pushing for another goal themselves. Jorge Hernandez’s speculative square pass along the end line squirted over to Perez, who made no mistake with a shot into the upper part of the net to make it 2-1 for Los Dos.

But the goal wasn’t going to stand up as the winner, with Rashawn Dally scoring in the 93rd minute on a strong run through traffic in the box, for Las Vegas to ensure the teams would split the points on the night.

Once again, LA showed their young roster is absolutely capable of hanging in arguably the toughest group in the league this season, but two costly breakdowns made the difference between a win and a draw. I think the team’s attacking chops are on the level, but the defense breaking down at the end has to be disappointing with three points seemingly wrapped up.

Los Dos are next scheduled to play Wednesday, when they host Orange County SC in a game that could help decide the second playoff qualifier in Group B, with both teams still in the hunt at present. It should be a huge game and a big test for Galaxy II with just two regular season games left.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.