The Lights host Western Conference rivals Lexington SC in a must-win showdown on Cashman Field’s final match
Match: Las Vegas Lights FC (10-12-6, 10th in Western Conference) vs Lexington SC (13-10-5, 4th in Western Conference)
When: Saturday, October 17
Where: Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nevada
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT
How to Watch: SSSEN, ESPN+
Saturday’s match is a must-win. For the playoffs. For the fans. For Cashman Field.
The Lights square off against Western Conference rivals Lexington SC as they venture into the final two matchdays of the USL Championship regular season and bid farewell to Cashman Field, the team’s home for the past nine seasons.
A draw or a defeat would eliminate the Lights from playoff contention. A win would keep the team alive through the final matchday.
But it won’t be easy.
The Lights come off a painful defeat at Phoenix Rising FC, losing 3-2 in a last-minute comeback attempt that just didn’t materialize despite the massive display of grit from the team.
Meanwhile, Lexington SC drew 0-0 at home to FC Tulsa and clinched a spot in the playoffs, with their final position still up in the air.
Both teams have plenty to play for. Saturday night is going to be memorable.
Third time this season…
The Lights and Lexington are set to face off for the third time this year.
On May 2, Vegas defeated Lexington 1-0 in their first encounter of the season thanks to a lone Johnny Rodriguez goal.
But Lexington would avenge themselves on August 22, winning 2-0 in Kentucky courtesy of Nicolas Firmino and Marcus Epps. This defeat would end an incredible five-match on-the-road winning streak for the Lights.
Their final duel will take place at Cashman Field this Saturday. With so much at stake, it looks like the most promising showdown of the matchday.
Keys to the Match
Here are the keys to three massive points on our Farewell to Cashman Night.
Blaine Ferri is that guy
Blaine Ferri is, hands down, one of the best players in the USL Championship.
A creative force in Lexington’s double-pivot alongside Championship staple Aaron Molloy, Ferri leads the league in assists (9), chances created (69), and big chances created (15), becoming one of the architects of Lexington’s turnaround in the second half of the season.
Ferri is also important defensively, ranking third in his team for recoveries per 90 and second for possession won in the final third per 90.
The Lights must encase Blaine Ferri and not let him play his game.
Same old Phillip Goodrum, but better
Since last facing Vegas on August 22, Lexington star striker Phillip Goodrum has been on an extraordinary scoring run.
Goodrum has scored eight goals in his last seven games, including impressive hat tricks against Oakland Roots and Orange County.
The experienced forward is another reason why Lexington improved drastically in the second half of the season, clinching their playoff ticket with two games left on the calendar.
If the Lights want to win on Farewell to Cashman Night, they must control Phillip Goodrum and his intelligent movements on and off the ball.
Goalex Anderson is on fire
Speaking of in-form strikers… Oalex Anderson has performed at an incredible level throughout the final stretch of the season.
Anderson has tallied an insane nine goal contributions (eight goals and one assist) in his last five matches for club and country, cementing his reputation as a deadly force up front for any of his teams.
With his 0.6 goals per 90, no other striker on the team matches Anderson’s impact on the attacking front.
Vegas has three great forwards at their disposal, but Anderson’s current form makes him a firm candidate for both starting and guiding the team to victory against Lexington at Cashman Field.
