Bitter ending: Late Las Vegas goal ends United's playoff run

The ending could hardly have been more cruel.

New Mexico United dominated the majority of Saturday night’s USL Championship Western Conference semifinal at Isotopes Park — only to have its record-breaking season come to an end.

Khori Bennett cashed in a transition goal in the 86th minute and lifted Las Vegas Lights FC to a 1-0 victory in front of 10,049 stunned United fans. Las Vegas advanced to next week’s conference final, while United was left to deal with the unique frustration that soccer can deliver.

“It’s heartbreaking,” defender Talen Maples said, “for the fans, the players, the coaching staff, everyone. But that’s the game, sometimes the better team doesn’t win.”

Top-seeded New Mexico outshot the fourth-seeded Lights 19-6 (7-1 in shots on target) but came away empty-handed. Las Vegas had only a handful of scoring chances but made the last one count.

Christian Pinzon slipped a lead pass through NMU’s defensive line near midfield, hitting Bennett in stride. He managed to stay just in front of United defender Tony Herbert and banged a shot from the left wing just inside the near post for the game’s only goal.

United coach Eric Quill credited Las Vegas goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, who made three dazzling saves among his seven, for effectively changing the result. Still, Quill could only shake his head after watching his team significantly outplay the visitors.

“The better team didn’t win,” he said, echoing Maples’ assessment. “(Arozarena) made some great saves but we also didn’t take put away our chances. Las Vegas scored on their one chance and won. That’s the toughest part of our game.”

It was a rough night for top seeds in the USLC playoffs as Eastern Conference No. 1 Louisville City also went down, 3-0, to first-year club Rhode Island. Maples and Quill both said United was gearing up for overtime when Bennett’s sudden breakaway changed everything.

“It’s hard to put into words right now,” Maples said. “This is the worst time for a game like this so it really stings. It’s easier when it happens during the season because you have another game coming up. This will take a while to get over.”

Saturday’s first half ended with no goals on the board but it was nothing like the previous round’s scoreless first half. While United and Phoenix Rising played cautiously, United came out firing in round two of the playoffs.

Las Vegas, as it usually does, held most of the possession but had few scoring chances to show for it. United forced the action, creating several turnovers and went quickly to the attack in transition.

Marlon Vargas came closest to breaking through, redirecting a centering pass from Daniel Bruce on frame in the 33rd minute. Arozarena scrambled to make a sliding kick save to keep things scoreless.

“Special players make special plays,” Quill said. “Their special player tonight was their goalkeeper.”

United outshot Las Vegas 10-2 in the half, 5-0 in shots on target, and the trends would continue in the second half. Arozarena managed to turn away second-half blasts from NMU’s Zico Bailey and Avionne Flanagan. Will Seymore also had a good look at a header off a corner kick but directed it just outside the right post.

Quill shook his head when asked if he could sum up a United season that included a club record for wins, points and its first-ever home playoff win.

“Right now I’m angry, frustrated,” he said. “Reflection will come later. “We’ve been the better team in the majority of our matches and we know we’re close. Now we’ve got to find a way to get to the final and win it.”

United was without top goal scorer Greg Hurst on Saturday. Hurst was held out with a lingering hip injury, Quill said.

New Mexico United falls to Las Vegas Lights during the Western Conference semifinal