After two wins in a row, the Lights now switch their focus to the USL Jägermeister Cup and their must-win match against Spokane Velocity to stay alive in the competition.
Read on to discover our keys to tonight’s crucial matchup against Spokane Velocity.
Match: Las Vegas Lights FC (2-0-1, 3rd in Jägermeister Cup – Group 1) vs Spokane Velocity (1-1-0, 4th in Jägermeister Cup – Group 1)
When: Saturday, June 28
Where: Cashman Field
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT
How to Watch: SSSEN, ESPN+
Tickets: Buy your tickets now!
We meet again…
Spokane Velocity is no stranger to Cashman Field. Last year, they visited the Lights for the Third Round of U.S. Open Cup competition, narrowly losing 2-1 in extra time and pushing Vegas to the limit. It was a close and competitive match, and this year’s game won’t be any easier for the Lights.
The stakes are high. Tonight, defeat means likely elimination from the Jägermeister Cup for any of the clubs involved. A win is a must, or tragedy will ensue.
The Kings of League One
Spokane is having an extraordinary 2025 USL League One season, standing on top of the table, four points clear of second-placed Charlotte Independence. Their defense is the best in the league alongside One Knoxville SC, and their attack is the third best.
The last time they lost a league match was on March 22 against FC Naples at home. From that point onward they’ve remained undefeated with eight wins and three draws in eleven matches, cementing their position as favorites to crown themselves League One champions.
However, they have struggled in cup competitions. On April 2, Spokane was knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by MLS Next Pro side Tacoma Defiance after losing 2-1 against their state rivals. In the Jägermeister Cup, the Washington side has obtained mixed results: a victory over Oakland Roots at home (2-1) and a defeat away to Monterey Bay FC (1-0).
What Must Happen
The Lights are currently on an excellent run of form. Ever since Interim Head Coach Giovanni Troise took over, they’ve won their two matches and have done so convincingly. But… things are not looking good in the Jägermeister Cup.
After May’s heavy 4-0 defeat at Sacramento Republic, the Lights no longer depend upon themselves to qualify for the knockout stages. A win tonight is imperative alongside a combination of results in the other teams’ remaining matches: it’s in the Lights’ best interest for Sacramento Republic and Monterey Bay (currently in first and second place) to lose their remaining games. A win by a healthy margin over Spokane plus those results would catapult the Lights to the next round in first place.
However, there’s also another way to qualify for the next round. The two best non-group leading teams will also accompany the group leaders to the next round. This gives the Lights a margin of hope: they still have to win against Spokane, but Sacramento and Monterey Bay don’t need to lose all their remaining matches. As long as one of them, and several second- and third- placed teams in other groups, underperform in upcoming matches, the Lights have a path forward to the quarterfinals.
It’s not simple. It won’t be easy. But it’s also not impossible. It all starts with a win.
Keys to the Match
Here are the three keys to look out for tonight as the Lights seek victory over Spokane.
Solid Defending
It’s safe to say the Lights have returned to their shutout ways.
Vegas’ defense was rock-solid vs. Monterey Bay and Indy Eleven, keeping two consecutive clean sheets after a while. And whenever a team managed to run past the Lights’ back line, they would encounter an impassable Raiko Arozarena who keeps widening the gap with his fellow goalkeepers in the USL Championship clean sheet ranking.
But the Lights have not been able to earn a shutout in the Jägermeister Cup this year, conceding at least one goal in every one of their three matches.
It’s necessary for the team’s defensive system to continue performing as it has done so lately tonight, especially against a rival like Spokane who likes to keep results tight and match outcomes open. If the back line puts on a show, then victory is within a hand’s reach for the Lights.
An Attacking Mindset
The Lights’ attack has been on fire lately.
Johnny Rodriguez scored a brace against Monterey Bay, Nighte Pickering did what he always does and scored a last-minute winner at Indy Eleven, and Stefan Stojanovic collaborated with the assist for Nighte’s goal.
It will be very important for the Lights’ strikers to be on fire vs Spokane. Winning by a healthy margin would not only be good for the team mentally, but it would also help in case results in other matches don’t go the Lights’ way and qualification for the next round is determined by the non-group leading team table. The defeat at Sacramento has hurt Vegas’ goal differential, and winning by at least two goals would restore it to positive numbers.
Anuar Pelaez
Spokane has one of the best squads in USL League One, and one of their best players is seasoned striker Anuar Pelaez.
The 32-year-old Colombian striker has been a shining light for the club, leading the league in combined goals and assists with eight. This season he has played 17 matches across all competitions, contributing with eight goals and two assists.
Spokane lead League One in chances generated with 41, eight more than runners-up Charlotte Independence. This means they are extremely dangerous close to the area, with Anuar being the linchpin of their attacking efforts.
If the Lights want to defeat Spokane at Cashman Field and stay alive in the Jägermeister Cup, they must keep Anuar Pelaez and the rest of their attack in check.