Home Grown Players

Blake Frischknecht starred at Centennial High School where he was named first-team All-State, All-Sunset Region and All-Northwest Division.  He initially attended college at Brigham Young University before taking a two-year hiatus to complete a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.  Upon returning to the States he joined the NCAA Division One soccer program at Utah Valley University where he thrived setting numerous school & conference goal scoring records and was named the WAC Offensive Player of Year. During his rookie season in 2020, Frischknecht made an immediate impact scoring three goals (tied for second on the team) and three assists (most on team) in his return from major knee surgery less than one year before.

Thomas Olsen and his family have had roots in Las Vegas for a long time, where he followed his mother’s footsteps by attending Bishop Gorman High School. As part of the Gaels soccer team, “TKO” won a state championship in his senior season. After a standout collegiate career at the University of San Diego, Olsen was selected in the MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids in 2018. Midway through Lights FC’s inaugural season, Olsen joined the team and finished the season as the starting goalkeeper for Las Vegas in its final four matches of the year. He followed it with a strong 2019 where he finished Top-8 in saves (93) and clean sheets (9) in all of USL Championship. 

Julian Portugal moved to Las Vegas at 10 years old after being born in Mexico City. He returned to Mexico at 15, but returned at 18 to play his senior year of high school soccer at Palo Verde, then was a standout at UNLV for four years. He was also inducted into the Nevada Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 2019.

Marco Cesar Jaime was born in Las Vegas, where he lived until he was six before moving with his family to Mexico. He signed with Liga MX club Deportivo Toluca at age 15 and grew in the pro ranks ever since. Jaime debuted in the first division in 2016 and was also named to the Mexican National Team’s preliminary pool roster for the 2015 Under-20 FIFA World Cup.

Matt Thomas was born and raised in Las Vegas, where he graduated from Palo Verde High. During his teenage years, he also spent time with Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake as a member of its prestigious academy residency program based in Casa Grande, Ariz. The program competes in the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Development Academy and has featured multiple current MLS players.

Sebastian Hernandez moved to Las Vegas with his family at six years old and has called the city his home ever since. Following a decorated prep career as a four-year starter at Bonanza High, including All-America honors, he starred at UNLV and helped the Rebels win a conference championship. His early pro ventures took him to

Portland, Ore., Germany and France.

Adolfo Guzman was born and raised in Las Vegas, and in his prep career helped lead Southeast Career and Technical Academy (Tech) to a state championship. He attended Lights FC’s December open Player Combine along with 500-plus roster hopefuls after friends told him to check out the event and his hometown’s new club online.

– Born & raised in Henderson, NV

– Had successful collegiate career at UNLV.

– Drafted by MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes in 2018

– Signed by MLS’ LAFC in 2020 where he started in the 2020-21 CONCACAF Champions League Final.