Pinzón assisted the opening goal and scored the match-winner on Saturday in the Lights’ USL Jägermeister Cup debut, a 3-1 victory away at Orange County SC
Las Vegas Lights FC forward Christian Pinzón was named the Player of the Round following the opening round of the USL Jägermeister Cup. The Lights won away at Orange County SC 3-1 behind a goal and an assist from Pinzón, who now leads the team with two goals in all competitions.
Las Vegas blitzed Orange County over the opening 35 minutes of the match to storm out to a 2-0 lead.
First, after a corner kick was cleared to the edge of the box, Pinzón played a cushioned header to Rory O’Driscoll at the top of the box. O’Driscoll skipped past his defender and rifled a volley into the far side netting for the match’s opening goal in the 14th minute.
O’Driscoll’s goal is up for Goal of the Round. Fans can cast their vote here.
Then, in the 34th minute, the Lights doubled their lead at Championship Soccer Stadium. Captain Valentin Noël sprinted down the right sideline and looped in a perfect cross to the back post. Pinzón arrived with pace, towering over the Orange County defender and powering home a header into the back of the net.
After an insurance penalty goal from Johnny Rodriguez and a late penalty save from Raiko Arozarena, the Lights held onto the advantage Pinzón helped create in the first half for a 3-1 victory.
The Bellflower, California native has become a mainstay for Head Coach Antonio Nocerino’s attack. Pinzón has started and played the full 90 minutes in six of the Lights’ eight games across all competitions with two goals and one assist.
In 2024, the forward scored three goals – all match-winners – with three assists across 21 total appearances after missing a major part of the early season with a foot injury.
Pinzón appeared on The Lights Lounge podcast this week following his Player of the Round performance on Saturday. After analyzing the team’s win, the forward also discussed how his winding journey has taken him from a futsal upbringing and high school soccer to D1 college soccer and eventually professional soccer in Las Vegas.
Check out the full episode here!
