In a stretch of the 2018 schedule that features at least six matches in a 30-day stretch, a short memory will be a must for the Las Vegas Lights FC players and coaches – following both good and not-so-good results.
The latter came Friday night at home at Cashman Field, when Lights FC (2-1-2, 8 points) suffered its first defeat in USL play, falling 3-1 to visiting San Antonio FC.
Less than 72 hours later, the club turns around for its first away match since a March 17 season-opening victory at Fresno FC, taking on Real Monarchs SLC (4-1-0, 12 points). Tonight’s match – the first played in the brand new Zions Bank Stadium – kicks off at 6 p.m. PST, airing locally in Las Vegas on myLVTV and streaming nationwide on the new ESPN+ app.
“For the kind of players we have, it’s easier to face difficult opportunities,” Lights FC Head Coach Isidro Sánchez said. “I love the quote of (Lights FC Technical Director) Chelís, he’s said all of his life: ‘In professional football, when everything is good, everything is bad.’
“All of the things surrounding this game should turn on our players. I think we can manage.”
The “things” Sánchez referenced include not only the festivities and energy that come with the opening of a new stadium, but also the fact that Real Monarchs SLC is rested, having not played since April 21, and that Lights FC is off of a disappointing result just a couple of days prior.
Despite some positive statistical highlights in Friday’s loss to San Antonio, a risky, offensive-minded game plan backfired in the first half, allowing the visitors to take a 2-0 lead at the half as a result of two turnovers that resulted in open-field attacks that left the Lights FC defense vulnerable.
“If you play a game like that against an angry lion, it’s dangerous,” Sánchez said. “They were playing a very serious game. That’s the teaching of the last game. How do we face it? We take that, recover the body, but the most important part is recovering the mind. The best thing in professional football is that you have revenge continuously. This time, it’s 72 hours later. You face it, digest it and get ready for the next game.”
Monday’s challenge in Utah will certainly require a re-focused effort if Lights FC wants to head back home with points on the USL’s Western Conference table.
Currently sitting in a tie for third on said table is Real Monarchs SLC, who came out of the gates hot, winning its first four matches of 2018 after finishing first in the Western Conference in the 2017 regular season by a 5-point margin.
“If I can describe this team, it’s a typical American team – The most typical quality for an American team is the discipline and the order,” Sánchez said. “They are very solid. What we need to do against a solid team is the opposite, and the opposite of solid is flexible. So, if we challenge them to step out, do rare shifting, they will be uncomfortable.”
According to the players themselves, making the mental reset happen is no problem.
“Because we lost one game, it doesn’t mean it’s not working well,” defender Miguel Garduño said. “This is part of the game. We’re not the best team when we win, we’re not the worst team when we lose. That’s our mentality.”
On the heels of Monday’s match, there’s another quick turnaround, as one of the more anticipated home dates of the 2018 season comes Saturday night. It will be a Cinco de Mayo soccer party at Cashman Field at 8 p.m. vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC, highlighted by Lights FC luchador masks being given away to the first 5,000 fans in attendance. Single-game tickets for Saturday are available and start at just $15. Purchase by calling 702.728.4625 or visit LightsFC.com/SingleTix.
LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO MONDAY NIGHT:
DISCIPLINE UPDATES: Lights FC midfielder/defender Christian Torres, who is one of six players to start each of the club’s five regular season matches to date, will be out Monday night, serving a one-game suspension for a red card taken in the final minutes of Friday’s loss. Meanwhile, defenders Joel Huiqui and Miguel Garduño each have four yellow cards through five matches, meaning they will earn 1-game yellow card accumulation suspensions following their next yellow. Garduño, though, says that won’t change the way they play.
“I think one characteristic of this team is we’re very brave – We want to win every ball,” he said. “It’s part of the game, we’re going to play the same way.”
OFF-FIELD WEEKEND MILESTONES: A couple of Lights FC players enjoyed personal milestones this weekend away from the pitch. Goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño, after starting Friday’s match at Cashman Field, flew Saturday morning to Mexico for his wedding, flying out Sunday morning and joining the team in Utah in time for Monday’s match. Meanwhile, defender Juan Herrera-Perla flew back home to Dallas, Texas, for his college graduation at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, also returning on Sunday.
GUILLEN-TORRES CONFIDENT FOLLOWING DEBUT: Friday’s match marked the Lights FC debut of defender Jorge Guillen-Torres, who suffered a lower body injury before the club’s first preseason match in February. He started the match and was able to shake off any rust that showed early on. His comfort on the attack visibly grew as the game wore on, with Guillen-Torres assisting on Lights FC’s lone goal of the match.
“Just in the beginning, the speed of play was different from training to a real game,” he said. “But I think I handled it pretty well. After the game, I reflected a little bit to see what I needed to improve on.”
INJURY UPDATES: Missing Monday’s match due to injury will be forwardJuan Jose Calderon, who continues to work his way back from a lower body injury suffered in the preseason, and midfielder Alex Mendoza, who also missed Friday’s match with a lower body injury.
WHERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN: Monday’s match will air locally on myLVTV. myLVTV is available locally over the air (Channel 21), on COX (Channel 12, 1012 in HD), on Centurylink (Channel 21) and on DirecTV (Channel 21). It will also stream live wtihin the U.S. on the ESPN+ app.
The Spanish-language radio broadcast takes place on ESPN Deportes 1460 AM, and can be streamed live at LVSportsNetwork.com.
WHO TO KNOW FOR LIGHTS FC
Defenders Joel Huiqui (#3) and Miguel Garduño (#33) continue to anchor a strong back line for Lights FC – the team’s strong suit to this point in the season. Both physical and willing defenders, they are two of five players on the roster to play each minute of the club’s first five regular season matches.
Midfielder Carlos Alvarez (#7) has worn a variety of hats early on within the Lights FC attack, but no matter where he plays, he’s effective. One of the club’s most consistent playmakers to this point, he scored his second goal of the season in Friday’s loss.
Goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño (#1) tamed his play some following an up-and-down preseason showing, and despite some hiccups in Friday’s loss, he continues to be one of the most spectacular players on the field for Lights FC. He seems to deliver a did-you-see-that moment at least once per match so far.
WHO TO KNOW FOR REAL MONARCHS SLC
Midfielder Justin Portillo (#43), Forward Chandler Hoffman (#49), Midfielder Sebastian Velasquez (#55) and Midfielder Ricky Lopez-Espin (#28) all have the attention of the Lights FC coaching staff as crucial members of a Real Monarchs attack that has been consistent to this point, producing 11 goals in 5 games.
Midfielder/Forward Masta Kacher (#46) scored two goals in the club’s last victory, coming on April 11 against Seattle Sounders FC 2, earning him a spot on the USL Team of the Week. He’s one of four Monarchs with two goals so far this season.
Defender Michael Gallagher (#53) is a big, imposing presence on the back line for Real Monarchs SLC, at 6-foot-2. He leads the team this season with 18 defensive clearances, and is second on the club with 23 duels won.
