Las Vegas Lights FC is hosting FC Tulsa this Saturday, March 16, in their 2024 USL Championship home-opener. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday’s home opener kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT at Cashman Field in Las Vegas (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match is available to watch locally on SSSEN and stream nationally on ESPN+ (subscription required).
OPENING MATCHDAY RESULT: Las Vegas fell 2-1 on the road last Saturday, March 9, at Memphis 901 FC, while Tulsa will kick off its 2024 USL Championship campaign this weekend.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Las Vegas and Tulsa played to a 1-1 draw on May 13, 2023, in Nevada. Eric Bird opened the scoring for the visitors in the 61st minute before Pato Botello-Faz equalized from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
NÖEL IMPRESSES: One of a plethora of Lights players who was signed the week leading into the opening match of the season, Valentin Nöel wasted no time acclimating himself to the club. The Frenchman previously played under Head Coach Dennis Sanchez at Austin FC II (MLS NEXT Pro) and scored Las Vegas’s first goal of the campaign – and the first USL Championship goal of 2024 – just 22 minutes in after a beautiful turn and finish.
FELLOW FIRST-YEAR MANAGERS: While Dennis Sanchez is in his first year at the helm in Las Vegas, Mario Sanchez (no relation) took the reins as FC Tulsa’s Head Coach and Technical Director this past offseason. Mario joins Tulsa from Racing Louisville where he previously served as Technical Director and Assistant Coach.
TULSA PLAYER TO WATCH: Phillip Goodrum, F
Goodrum has been a goalscoring machine over the past two seasons, racking up 34 goals including tying for the league-lead with 22 in 2022. Despite a midseason trade last year that sent him from Memphis 901 to Tulsa, he still finished with 12 goals, which tied a Tulsa single-season goalscoring mark.
