The Las Vegas Lights are hosting Memphis 901 FC on Saturday in their second of two meetings this season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Cashman Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch locally on SSSEN and streamed nationally on ESPN+ (subscription required).
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Lights: 4-7-5 (17 points, 9th West), Memphis: 6-6-3 (21 points, 4th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Las Vegas: DDWDL, Memphis: WDDLW
PREVIOUS MEETING: Memphis defeated Las Vegas 2-1 in the 2024 USL Championship season-opener on March 9. Valentin Noël opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Samuel Careaga and Nighte Pickering tallied in the 33rd and 44th minutes, respectively.
YOUTH SOCCER NIGHT PRESENTED BY US BANK: The Lights are welcoming youth soccer players from around Nevada and encourage youngsters to wear their youth soccer jerseys on Saturday night. All ticketed kids 12 and under wearing a youth soccer jersey are able to take a penalty kick on the field post-match at no additional cost.
TOUGH TO BEAT: Las Vegas in unbeaten in six of its last seven matches. The Lights enter the weekend just one point outside playoff contention in the Western Conference.
BENNETT FINDING FORM: Las Vegas Lights forward Khori Bennett has three goals in as many matches including two from the penalty spot. He’s stepped up admirably in attack with the injury absences of Gaoussou Samaké and Riki Alba.
GOALS GALORE: Expect goals on Saturday, as Memphis and Las Vegas are each within the top six in the league in goals scored this season. Memphis has tallied 23, while the Lights have bagged 20.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Marlon, F
The USL Championship just named the Brazilian forward the Player of the Month for May. Marlon had five goals and three assists in four undefeated matches in May for Memphis. Overall, he ranks tied for ninth in goals scored (six), tied for second in assists (five) and tied for fifth in shots (30).
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Lights FC forward Khori Bennett
On being tough to beat…
We have a group of talented players. We have a structure that allows players to really express themselves on the field. When we match up with any team in this league, we always feel that we can get the better of them. The next step for us now is to close out games, to win games.
Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez
On the matchup against Memphis 901 FC…
The first match at the beginning of the season feels like a long time ago. Both groups have evolved a lot. They’re still playing a similar structure that we saw when we played them the first time, however, they’re in good form. They have a really talented group, really organized by Head Coach Stephen Glass. We’re expecting a team that has a lot of attacking power, they’re pretty aggressive with how they press. There will be some small alterations that we’ll make to help our group be successful.
