How it happened
Phoenix Rising FC won 3-2, and the match was settled before the break. Ihsan Sacko, who earned the best match rating on the pitch, scored twice in a first half that ended 3-0.
Sacko opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Six minutes later Studenhofft made it 2-0. Sacko added a penalty in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time to complete the lead.
Las Vegas Lights did not score until the 77th minute, when Leal pulled one back. Anderson added a second in the 85th minute, which left five minutes plus stoppage time to find an equaliser. Phoenix held on. No red cards were shown.
The numbers
Phoenix had only 34% of possession, yet they out-shot Las Vegas 15 to 9 and had five shots on target to three. Their estimated expected goals total of 2.56 compares with 0.65 for the visitors, so the winners created far better chances from far less of the ball. Corners were close at eight for Phoenix and seven for Las Vegas.
Sacko's match rating of 9 was the highest of the three standout performers. He played 83 minutes, had 33 touches and made one key pass. Gunnar Studenhofft scored once, earned a rating of 7.6 and had 10 touches in 64 minutes.
The best rating on the losing side went to Giorgio Probo, who scored 8.2 after 90 minutes and 97 touches, a reflection of how much of the match Las Vegas controlled.
What it means
Phoenix are listed 16th and Las Vegas 17th, both on 36 points from 28 matches. Goal difference separates them, at minus three for Phoenix and minus four for Las Vegas.
Over their last 10 matches Phoenix have four wins, two draws and four defeats. Las Vegas have four wins, one draw and five defeats. Their previous meeting, on 2 August, finished 1-1. This one was decided by three goals before half-time.