Seattle Sounders Academy product signs first professional contract with the Lights
Las Vegas Lights today announced that the club has signed goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier, pending league and federation approval.
Lanphier is under contract with the Lights through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027.
The 22-year-old played the past two seasons with USL League Two side Ballard FC, winning the Western Conference title in 2025 and helping the Seattle-based team reach the USL League Two Playoffs final as their starting goalkeeper.
“We’re happy to officially welcome Charlie to the Lights after he impressed during preseason camp,” said Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia. “He certainly has the talent and the intangibles to succeed in the professional ranks, and we’re looking forward to supporting his development as a young goalkeeper throughout this season.”
A product of the Seattle Sounders and Crossfire Premier youth setups, Lanphier joined the Seattle University Redhawks in 2021. In 2023, he started in 16 of 18 possible matches, keeping five clean sheets and helping the team win the Western Athletic Conference regular season title, earning First Team All-WAC and WAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
In 2024, he made 19 appearances and kept five clean sheets as the Redhawks’ starting goalkeeper, leading his side as they lifted the WAC Tournament Title, earning himself a spot on the WAC All-Tournament team.
The Sammamish, Washington native spent the past two summers playing for USL League Two club Ballard FC. With Ballard, he made 12 appearances last season, reaching the USL League Two Playoffs Final.
Lanphier also made one U.S. Open Cup appearance for Ballard, playing 120 minutes in a last-minute defeat to USL League One side Spokane Velocity FC.
Las Vegas will kick off the 2026 home schedule on Saturday, March 28 against Monterey Bay FC. Tickets are available now at lasvegaslightsfc.com/tickets.
