After almost a month away from its home pitch, Las Vegas Lights FC feels that the momentum isn’t lost, as it looks to pick up where it left off with its longest home field winning streak of 2018.
A 1-0 victory over Saint Louis FC on July 7 was the club’s third straight win in Downtown Las Vegas, and now the team returns home having outscored its last three visitors to Cashman Field by a combined score of 9-2.
Following a 4-match road trip that saw both highs and lows, Lights FC goes for its fourth consecutive home victory Saturday night, as Rio Grande Valley FC Toros makes its first trip to Las Vegas for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
“Now that we are back at Cashman Field, our confidence grows,” Lights FC Technical Director Chelís said. “For me, it’s a mix between excitement, and also the challenge to return the commitment of our fans now that we’re back at home in front of them.”
Tickets for Lights FC vs. RGVFC are available starting at just $15 at LightsFC.com. Saturday night is also “Backpack Night” at Cashman Field, with the first 2,000 kids 12-and-under receiving a free Lights FC backpack, presented by Boston Dental Group. It will be just the first leg of Lights FC’s special “Saturday Night Lights” schedule, featuring unique themes, promotions and ticket packages throughout the month. Visit LightsFC.com/August for full details.
Saturday’s match will also air locally on myLVTV and stream nationwide on ESPN+.
Aside from being motivated to continue its home winning streak, Lights FC (6-9-5, 23 points) is also out for revenge Saturday night against an RGVFC club that it suffered a 2-0 loss to in the midst of the July road swing.
It was July 14, when Lights FC traveled south for the second leg of a midwest road trip, while battling a bit of fatigue and also a rash of injuries.
“I think we were disappointed after the game there,” midfielder James Murphy said. “We were playing in (windy conditions), and it was a tough trip. I think we’re going to be motivated to come out strong, and hopefully get a good result.”
Another hurdle Lights FC faced in that first meeting was creating chemistry on the fly, as due to the aforementioned injuries, the club’s four midseason transfers – defenders Rodrigo Iñigo and Joseph Patrick Perez, plus forwards Omar Salgado and Daniel Guzmán Jr. – all had to play heavy minutes in their first match eligible to play for the team.
All four continued to get comfortable the more they saw time on the pitch during the remainder of the road trip – which included a huge 2-1 victory over Portland Timbers 2 on July 22 – and with the team’s overall improved health, the coaching staff has more to work with as the team comes back home.
“It was a different, very unique game,” Chelís added. “It was tough to find our best performance with four totally new players in the Starting XI. Still, we were close with them, and we competed the whole way.
“Now, we know (RGVFC) and we’re looking for that good performance. The win Saturday night is mandatory for us.”
The win would be big in many ways.
It would be a perfect catalyst to kick off an August schedule that sees Lights FC play six matches – It’s most in any individual month on the 2018 schedule.
But also, it could help Lights FC gain valuable ground in the chase for a USL Western Conference playoff berth in its inaugural season.
Right now, Lights FC sits eight points outside of the conference’s Top-8, but has several opportunities left not just to gain ground, but to do so against teams currently ahead of them in the standings.
LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO SATURDAY NIGHT:
CHELÍS RETURNS TO THE SIDELINE: With his suspension completed, Technical Director Chelís will return to the sidelines Saturday night, leading the team alongside Head Coach Isidro Sánchez. In Chelís’s last appearance on the sideline, the team took home a 4-1 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday, June 2.
SINCE THE FIRST MEETING WITH LIGHTS FC … : Since a 2-0 victory over Lights FC, RGVFC has turned the corner some more. Now just three points behind Lights FC in the Western Conference standings, RGVFC followed up that big victory by earning a 0-0 road draw against powerhouse Swope Park Rangers, then a 1-0 victory over Colorado Springs. Overall, RGVFC hasn’t allowed a goal since July 7.
HOME DEBUTS GALORE: While several Lights FC midseason transfers got their feet wet with their new club on the road, Saturday will mark the first chance to appear in front of the home fans for five new players. Defenders Rodrigo Iñigo and Joseph Patrick Perez, plus forwards Omar Salgado and Daniel Guzmán Jr. all made multiple appearances during the 4-match away trip. Salgado provided the biggest highlight of the bunch, with a game-winning free kick goal in the 2-1 victory over Portland Timbers 2 on July 22. Also available Saturday night for his Lights FC debut will be defender Carter Manley, a 2018 MLS SuperDraft first round pick who joined the club this week on loan from MLS side Minnesota United FC.
DISCIPLINE UPDATES: Lights FC will be without two key pieces Saturday night due to suspension. Midfielder Carlos Alvarez is suspended for three matches following a red card in last Thursday’s match in Seattle, while Marcelo Alatorre will serve a 1-match suspension after earning two yellow cards in that match. Meanwhile, a duo of defenders each find themselves one yellow card away from an automatic 1-match accumulation suspension – Marco Cesar Jaime Jr. (7) and Miguel Garduño (4).
INJURY UPDATES: Almost fully recovered from lower body injuries, defender Miguel Garduño and midfielder Matt Thomas returned to practice at full speed, though both are still listed as questionable heading into Saturday night. Also questionable are midfielder Raul Mendiola and forward Juan Carlos Garcia, both with lower body injuries.
WHO TO KNOW FOR LIGHTS FC
Midfielder Raul Mendiola (#40) has quickly become a fan favorite with Lights FC as a midseason signee. The former LA Galaxy fixture scored his second goal of the season on Saturday, July 7 – the deciding score in a 1-0 home victory over Saint Louis FC – then followed it up with the first Hat Trick in club history at OKC Energy FC four nights later. He’s proven to be an aggressive, speedy force within the attack, and others are feeding off of his energy and hunger.
Defender Joel Huiqui (#3) has returned from a lower body injury to take his place in the Starting XI as the team’s primary center back. The Liga MX and Mexican National Team veteran has been a steadying presence on the back line all season, and he’s second on the club with 41 interceptions.
Goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño (#1) has recorded two clean sheets in 2018. The aggressive “sweeper keeper” keeps opponents on their toes, and his 54 goalkeeper saves are the 8th-most in the 33-team USL this season.
Forward Sammy Ochoa (#9) will look to once again break through offensively, as he sits tied with Mendiola and Carlos Alvarez for the team lead in goals with 5. During the club’s current 3-match home winning streak, Ochoa’s contributions included two goals in a June 16 victory over Seattle Sounders 2.
HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. RGVFC:
– Saturday’s match kicks off at 8 p.m. For on-site ticket purchase at Cashman Field, the box office will open at 12 p.m., and Will Call opens at 4:30 p.m.
– At Saturday’s Zappos Tailgate Party, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Cashman Field parking lot, Lights FC’s own “Cash the Soccer Rocker” will also have some friends of his joining the party, as the rest of Las Vegas’s mascots will be at the Tailgate Party interacting with fans, including Chance (Golden Knights), Buckets (Aces), Cosmo (51s) and Hey Reb (UNLV). This week’s tailgate party also includes a BBQ picnic, beer selections, new Lights FC merchandise for sale, plus tailgate games for both kids and adults.
– Gates to the stadium for general public entry 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 TO LIGHTS FC VS. RGVFC:
– Saturday’s match will air locally on myLVTV and stream nationwide on ESPN+.
– The Spanish-language radio broadcast takes place on ESPN Deportes 1460 AM, and can be streamed live at LVSportsNetwork.com.
