The Las Vegas Lights are visiting Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday in their first of two meetings on the season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch nationally on the CBS Sports Network, and locally on SSSEN.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Lights: 5-7-6 (21 points, 8th West), Sac Republic: 7-2-7 (28 points, 2nd West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Las Vegas: WDDDW, Sacramento: WDLWL
PREVIOUS MEETING: Sac Republic defeated the Lights 2-0 on Oct. 1, 2023, at Heart Health Park in Sacramento. Keko and Luther Archimede each scored in the second half to give the hosts all three points.
BENNETT ON FIRE: Lights forward Khori Bennett enters this Wednesday in a rich vein of form. He has six goals in his last five matches, including goals in three straight contests.
TOUGH TO BEAT: Las Vegas has now lost just once in its last nine matches and climbed into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
BIG ROAD TRIP BEGINS: The Lights will embark on their first of four consecutive road matches throughout the month of July. They will return to Cashman Field on Aug. 10 for a clash with Detroit City FC.
LEAGUE’S BEST DEFENSE: Sac Republic enters Wednesday’s match with the best defensive record in the USL Championship. They have allowed a league-best 12 goals and have the second-most clean sheets with eight.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Trevor Amman, F
Amman leads Sac Republic with eight goals and is tied for sixth in the league in goals scored. The former Northern Colorado Hailstorm forward scored 26 goals in 34 appearances in USL League One last season.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Lights FC forward Khori Bennett
On his incredible run of form…
It’s something that I’m happy about, but I’m not surprised. I’m someone who does the work, and when I do the work, I expect these results. I’m very confident in myself, I’m very confident in my teammates to put me in positions to succeed as well. I’m happy about it, but I’m not satisfied, and I think I can be even better, score even more and be more consistent.
Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez
On what he expects from Sacramento Republic…
They’re a really well-organized team. They have 12 goals against, which is the least goals conceded within the league, so we know that defensively they’re going to be very organized and high press us. They’re also a team that’s lost a couple of their key, more attack-minded players…but we’re going to respect them.
