Lexington Sporting Club defeated CV Fuego FC at Toyota Stadium, earning both revenge and a second consecutive victory after a 3-2 final.
“For us it was a bit of a nail biter, I think I’ve lost a little bit more hair lately, but we’ll take another three points and back-to-back wins, which is huge for us,” Head coach Sam Stockley said. “I think we’re second in the league in creating the biggest chances and now we’re starting to convert them. Scoring goals for us is becoming a little bit easier, but I wouldn’t say it’s easy. We’ve got to continue to work and grow out the moments just after we score and just after halftime.”
The win brings the club’s record to 6-10-6 (24 points), standing at 10th in the league standings. The result also saw Fuego FC fall to 5-12-5 (20 points), remaining at 11th in the league.
Lexington SC entered the match on the back of a 4-3 road win at NC Hailstorm FC, which marked the first road win in club history and saw Ates Diouf score the first hat trick in club history.
The home team wasted no time getting on the board with revenge on their minds when Tate Robertson scored on a free kick in the fourth minute.
Not satisfied with just a one-goal cushion, Robertson sent a ball into the box to Nico Brown, who sent it home for his seventh goal of the season. Robertson earned his seventh assist of the season.
While the home club entered the break up 2-0, Fuego would quickly bounce back in the 53rd minute to get back within one.
It wouldn’t be long after though when Khalid Balogun drew a penalty in the box. Stepping to the spot, Don Smart would send the ball into the net for his fifth penalty goal of the season.
Fuego FC added on more in the 88th minute, but the home side was able to stand tall and maintain its lead until the final whistle would grant Lexington the 3-2 victory.
“I think you can tell by my palms, they’re a bit sweaty, but when we went to Northern Colorado, we were 3-1 down and came back 4-3. Even if you’re 3-1 at this level, it’s never over, that’s the beauty of this game,” Stockley said. “That’s why we love this game because it can go to the 95-96th minute. Obviously when they scored that second goal with five or six minutes to go there was a natural tension and a natural urge to freeze a bit but I’m so proud of this group. It’s never over until it’s over.”
CV Fuego FC controlled the possession in the match, holding the ball 54.4% of the time while Lexington SC won in expected goals, seeing a 1.99 to 0.81 advantage.
Next up for Lexington SC the boys in green will hit the road in the final rivalry match of the season against One Knoxville SC. After that the club will return home on August 26th to face off against Richmond Kickers.
Fans can purchase tickets to the match against Richmond through the link here.
About Lexington Sporting Club
Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer third division men’s professional soccer), and in USL Super League (women’s professional soccer launching in 2024). The two professional teams are the pinnacle of the soccer ecosystem in Lexington that features more than 1,400 players within its youth and academy systems. Lexington SC in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.