From roughly 500 players, down to roughly 70 players, down to roughly a handful of players, the Las Vegas Lights FC inaugural 2-day open Player Combine went down this weekend at Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex in Las Vegas.
With players of almost all skill levels participating – from those with college experience, to those who have played professionally, to those simply hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream – everything was left on the field both Saturday and Sunday.
Lights FC head coach José Luis Sánchez Solá – Chelís – and his staff watched the action from all angles as scrimmages filled the afternoon hours both days. More than 500 players showed up for Saturday’s action, with approximately 70 being invited back for a closer look in intense play on Sunday.
From there, a few selected players will take the next step, which involves an invitation to an invite-only training camp the Lights FC staff will hold this week. That camp runs Monday through Wednesday, and will see those selected this weekend mix it up with players with all ranges of professional experience.
This week’s training camp is just one of several events – both before and after the open-to-the-public Player Combine – that the Lights FC staff is attending and scouting in an attempt to build a fast, aggressive, diverse roster with players from all across the globe.
Chelís on Saturday stated that he came in to the open Player Combine hoping to find one player from Las Vegas to help fulfill the club’s promise of a roster spot dedicated to a homegrown talent. But he said those plans had to change quickly, with several players catching his and his staff’s eye over the weekend.
Assisting Chelís and his assistant coach – Isidro Sánchez – in the efforts to build a ready-to-compete roster is Pepe Galvan and his Six Pack Mental agency staff.
Chelís stated on Saturday that his goal is to have a roster in place within the first week of January, as Lights FC would then have more than a month with its full team in place to prepare for the club’s first match – a February 10 home exhibition at Cashman Field vs. MLS club Montreal Impact.
All three of the Lights FC MLS exhibition matches in February are included in all season ticket packages, on sale now starting at just $200, with each season ticket purchased including a free team jersey (valued at $80). Single-game tickets for groups of 10 or more are also now on sale, starting at just $18 per ticket, with each ticket purchased including a free Lights FC scarf (valued at $20).
You can secure your spot in line today for season tickets by making a $20 deposit, plus view all season ticket pricing by visiting www.lightsfc.com/tickets. For more ticketing inquiries, call us at 702.728.GOAL (4625).
