Lights announce five players join side as 2024 USL Championship season kicks-off tomorrow on the road
Las Vegas, NV (March 8, 2024) – Las Vegas Lights FC today announced it has added five additional players to its 2024 roster: goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena; defenders Edward “Eddy” Berumen and Maliek Howell; and midfielders Giovanni Aguilar and Alexander Romero. All five transactions are pending league and federation approval.
As a USL Academy signing, Romero will be able to train and compete for the Lights in the USL Championship and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup while maintaining his NCAA eligibility. Arozarena, Aguilar, Berumen, Howell and joined the Lights as free agent signings.
Arozarena, 26, joins the Lights goalkeeping corps after gaining experience with USL-Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2021-2023, including a 2022 loan to USL League One side Forward Madison SC where he made 16 appearances. The Cuban international spent 2018-2020 with Mexican club Venados. After gaining international experience with Cuba’s Under-20 roster, Arozarena made his Senior Roster debut for Cuba in 2022 and has appeared four additional times with the Lions of the Caribbean.
Berumen, 22, previously secured USL Championship experience while on loan with Sacramento Republic FC. The defender most recently completed his collegiate career at the University of California-Irvine. There, he recorded 35 appearances (27 starts) and recorded one goal and three assists,
Howell, 25, completed his NCAA career at Missouri State after recording 34 matches over three previous seasons with the Memphis Tigers. In the 2023 season, Missouri State outscored opponents 23-5 in games Howell played in. The defender joins the Lights with international experience as well, having been a member of Jamaica’s Under-20 and U-23 sides before making his Senior Roster debut for Jamaica in 2022, securing two caps.
Aguilar, who turns 26 today (March 8), spent the 2022 and 2023 campaigns with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, recording 48 regular-season appearances, six goals and five assists. The midfielder made his First Team debut for Whitecaps FC in 2023 as well. The Sacramento Republic Academy product made 72 appearances with Cal State Northridge before being selected 49th overall by Vancouver in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
Romero, 19, makes a return to Vegas after previously making 14 regular-season appearances for the Lights in 2023 while on loan as a member of Major League Soccer’s LAFC’s Academy team. The midfielder has recorded a trio of appearances in U.S. Open Cup action as well. He has also earned seven caps and recorded one goal representing El Salvador’s Under-20 team.
Earlier today, the Lights also announced the acquisition of midfielder Valentin Noel on a transfer from Austin FC II of MLS NEXT Pro as the club finalizes its roster ahead of tomorrow’s season opener.
Las Vegas Lights FC will kick off its new campaign tomorrow Saturday, March 9 when it visits Memphis 901 FC before its home opener against FC Tulsa on Saturday, March 16 at Cashman Field.
Both season tickets and single-match ticket options can be purchased at lasvegaslightsfc.com. Click here to see the Lights’ full 2024 schedule.
