The Lights face Miami FC at Cashman Field in a crucial cross-conference match to keep playoff aspirations alive.
Match: Las Vegas Lights FC (6-6-11, 10th in Western Conference) vs Miami FC (5-5-13, 12th in Western Conference)
When: Saturday, September 13
Where: Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NV
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT
How to Watch: SSSEN, ESPN+
702 vs. 305
It’s been more than a year since the last time Las Vegas Lights FC and Miami FC faced each other in USL Championship competition. On June 8, 2024, the Lights beat Miami 3-1 thanks to a Khori Bennett double (his first goals for the Lights) and another Valentin Noël goal, ending an eight-match winless streak and setting the stage for what would be a historic second half of the regular season.
After that match, the Lights went on to qualify for playoffs for the first time in their young history, and Miami signed off on one of the worst campaigns in USL Championship history.
Now, both teams are facing scenarios that are far from ideal, and victory is a must to survive.
How We Got Here
While both teams are currently out of playoff positions, their realities are quite different.
The Lights have improved under head coach Devin Rensing, losing only one of their last five matches and putting up good performances at home and away. Despite the progress, however, the Lights haven’t been lucky when it comes to winning, earning only six out of a possible 15 points thanks to a singular win and three draws.
Meanwhile, Miami haven’t won a match since June 18, when they beat Charleston Battery at Pitbull Stadium 1-0. It’s been 13 matches across all competitions since their last victory. Out of those 13 matches, they’ve lost nine and drawn four, conceding 26 goals in the process.
Both teams arrive at this match with the obligation of bagging three points if they want to keep their playoff qualification aspirations alive.
Keys to the Match
Here are the three keys to look out for on Saturday night at Cashman Field.
Gartig + Herbert vs. Bonfiglio
The Lights’ defense has faced many good strikers this season, but none as deadly as Miami’s Francisco Bonfiglio. Bonfiglio is a complete forward, with impressive aerial play, strong finishing with both his right and left foot, and the ability to play with his back to goal to open up space for teammates and, therefore, for himself as he moves back into the box.
The Argentine has scored 16 goals and given out three assists in 29 matches across all competitions this year. He currently stands second in the fight for the Golden Boot for the 2025 USL Championship season with 13 goals, only one behind Charleston Battery’s Cal Jennings. This stat is even more impressive when you consider that he’s only scored one goal from the penalty spot, while six of Jennings’ goals came from penalties.
Miami’s attack is the third worst in the league based on goals scored (22), but that doesn’t mean they don’t generate high-quality opportunities. Miami is seventh overall in the Championship for shots on target per match (4.1), tenth for big chances generated (43), and have the eighth highest xG in the league (1.29). They also have the highest cross success rate in the Championship (32.5%), always aiming to find Bonfiglio in an advantageous position to leverage his aerial play.
Bonfiglio, who plays as Miami’s sole forward in their 4-2-3-1 formation, is without a doubt their biggest threat up front, as he is responsible for more of half of the team’s goals this season. If the Lights want to win this Saturday, center backs Elias Gartig and Anthony Herbert must isolate the Argentine striker to nullify Miami’s attack.
Keep a cool head
Miami FC are a North American team with a very South American attitude. Intensity is the name of the game for them, and it clearly shows in the stats.
Miami is sixth overall in fouls per match (15), fifth in yellow cards (63), and first in both red cards (7) and penalties conceded (7). They’re not afraid to get physical and into their opposition’s head, aiming to distract and throw off their rivals.
The Lights must be cool headed and remain calm in the face of Miami’s vehemence, using their excess emotion against them as they potentially commit self-inflicted damage.
Raiko’s return to form
Goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena’s last two performances have been as solid as they can be. Beyond keeping two clean sheets that have placed him second in the USL Championship clean sheet ranking, Arozarena has been a positive leader for his back line, leading defensive coordination efforts against highly competitive teams.
His four saves against Lexington and Phoenix helped the Lights earn four valuable points that have prolonged the fight for playoffs as the team heads into the last stretch of matches of the regular season.
Now, Arozarena must put on another show against Miami. It won’t be easy, as they have within their ranks many players with powerful shots from mid-range and, of course, Francisco Bonfiglio. But if Arozarena performs as he’s done these past two matchdays, then the Lights can continue to dream with playoffs.