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The fans have spoken, and now it is official – Saturday’s in-state showdown between Las Vegas Lights FC and Reno 1868 FC will be the first leg in the competition for the Silver State Cup.
Over the course two weeks, fans of both clubs submitted thousands of votes to name the annual series and its annual trophy. The winner after three 2018 USL regular season meetings between the two teams will take home a traditional soccer “cup” trophy, filled with silver nuggets.
The Silver State Cup series and trophy will be presented by Toro Taxes, with the first leg kicking off at 8 p.m. Saturday night at Cashman Field in Downtown Las Vegas. Tickets for the match can be purchased by calling 702.728.GOAL (4625) or by visiting LightsFC.com/SingleTix.
It adds even more on the line to a series that is already highly anticipated.
“For rivalries to work, you really need both teams to have a continual chance at winning, so our goal is to break their spirit early this season, and turn this into a one-sided competition quickly,” Lights FC Owner & CEO Brett Lashbrook said. “We plan to fully control the series for many years to come. We owe that to our fans.
“That mission starts this Saturday night when we sell out Cashman Field, and send Reno home with a winless record. We then can’t wait to have the Silver State Cup presented to us on the field following our win at Reno this fall.”
Added Lights FC Technical Director Chelís: “I need it full (Saturday Night), I need a sell-out. The team is for the fans. The players have a very big job, and the show is for the people. I have had a dream that Cashman Field, Saturday night, is full.”
The second and third meetings between the two clubs will both take place in Reno, on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 22, respectively.
In the series, the winner of each match-up will receive three points. A draw will earn each side one point. The Cup will be presented to the winning club following the last regular season meeting between the two each year.
“Toro Taxes is as much honored as we are excited to be part of this event,” said Toro Taxes CEO Nick Maldonado. “Though we have grown to be the largest Latino tax prep organization in the country, with well over 100 offices across the U.S., Las Vegas is where it all started, and this is our home.
“The Toro Tax team can’t wait to present the Silver State Cup to our Las Vegas Lights!”
Lights FC enters Saturday’s first meeting off of a thrilling 3-2 victory on the road last Saturday over fellow expansion side Fresno FC. Meanwhile, Reno 1868 FC dropped a 4-3 decision at home on Saturday to Swope Park Rangers.
