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Last Saturday night at Cashman Field was a night to remember for several different reasons – from the epic second half comeback, to the celebratory smoke billowing from the Supporters Section, to Chelís watching the final third of the match with the fans from a seat in the front row.
In the final leg of Soccer Spring Training, with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United coming to town, Lights FC players are looking to recreate the magic on the field, which will translate to recreating the energy that came from the party in the stands.
They also want to add a preseason win to their preseason résumé.
“That should be the mentality,” midfielder Alex Mendoza said. “I think we want to show that we can compete with whoever comes in to play.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 8 p.m. at Cashman Field, with tickets still available and starting at just $15. They can be purchased online at LightsFC.com/SingleTix, by phone at 702.728.4625 or by visiting any La Bonita Supermarket location in the Las Vegas Valley. The match will be presented by Plaza Hotel & Casino.
If there was a lesson to be learned from last Saturday’s match, it’s that you will never quite know what to expect from a Lights FC game at Cashman Field. Following Chelís’s send-off, with the team playing a man down following a red card issued to defender and captain Marcelo Alatorre, the team dramatically erased a 2-0 deficit. Juan Jose Calderon scored twice – once on a free kick, once on a penalty kick – five minutes apart, sending the Supporters Section and the Cashman crowd as a whole into hysteria. The reactions of the fans should inspire Lights FC to create even more offensive fireworks Saturday night.
“The fans here are very committed, since the first day I arrived here for training,” Calderon said. “They have always been with us. I felt their support when we’ve been losing, and I felt it when I scored.”
Added Chelís: “Those send-offs helped us, and the personality of the team, helped us. I am happy that the best performance of my team was with me (in the stands). They made everything happen.”
The challenge will again be stiff, as like Montreal and Vancouver before them, D.C. United will bring many of their top players to Las Vegas for their final tune-up ahead of their MLS regular season. Among the players coming to town with D.C. United will be including midfielder Yamil Asad (7 goals and 13 assists last season with Atlanta United) and forward Paul Arriola (16 United States Men’s National Team caps).
HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. D.C. UNITED:
WHEN
- Saturday’s match kicks off at 8 p.m. For on-site ticket purchase, the box office will open at 10 a.m., and Will Call at 4:30 p.m.
- Media credential on-site pick-up and entry begins at 5 p.m. Credentials can be picked up at Media Check-in located at the Zappos Gate.
- The expanded Zappos Tailgate, featuring live music, a variety of food trucks, an experiential beer garden from Motley Brews and tailgate games for both kids and adults begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Cashman parking lot.
- Gates to the general public open at 7 p.m., with three available entrances at Cashman Field: The Main Gate, the Zappos Gate and the Stadium Corner Gate.
WHERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN
- The match will stream live worldwide on multiple digital platforms, including KCLV.TV/Live, on Lights FC’s YouTube Channel and on Twitter at @LVLightsFC.
- The Spanish-language broadcast will take place on ESPN Deportes 1460AM, and can be streamed live at LVSportsNetwork.com.
WHO TO KNOW FOR LIGHTS FC
- Head coach Jose Luis Sánchez Solá – “Chelís” has his team playing with heightened confidence following a much improved offensive performance last Saturday vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- Defender Joel Huiqui (#4), who has 15 career Mexican National Team caps, anchored Lights FC’s back line for the second straight week, and is bringing versatility and leadership to the Lights FC defense.
- Forward Juan Jose Calderon (#10) last Saturday scored the first two goals in Lights FC history just minutes after substituting into the game. He showed exactly why he’s regarded as one of the club’s most dangerous strikers.
- Midfielder Julian Portugal (#26) is becoming a trusted piece in the middle of the Lights FC attack. The former UNLV standout is representing Las Vegas with pride, having started each of the club’s first two Soccer Spring Training matches.
WHO TO KNOW FOR D.C. UNITED
- Midfielder/Forward Yamil Asad (#22) was a key acquisition this offseason for D.C. United, after scoring seven goals and notching 13 assists last season for Atlanta United.
- Midfielder/Forward Paul Arriola (#7) spent the last four seasons with Club Tijuana of LigaMX, and even at just 23 years old, already has 16 career U.S. Men’s National Team caps.
- Midfielder/Forward Zoltán Stieber (#18) is another player with significant international experience, with 25 career caps for the Hungarian National Team.
TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for Lights FC’s final Soccer Spring Training match on Saturday and all USL regular season matches – beginning with the March 24 home opener vs. in-state rival Reno 1868 FC – are now on sale, starting at just $15. Purchase today by visiting LightsFC.com/SingleTix or by calling 702.728.GOAL (4625) during regular business hours. Tickets can also be purchased at all La Bonita Supermarket locations in the Las Vegas valley.
Lights FC 2018 season tickets are also still on sale, starting at just $190 for the 19 remaining home matches. Each season ticket purchased includes a free team jersey (valued at $80). Ticket 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). For more ticketing inquiries, visit LightsFC.com/Tickets.