NEWS

Younger, faster, high-scoring. Check, check, check. Eric Wynalda delivered in his first official test as Lights FC manager by leading his team to a 5-1 victory against MLS opponent Toronto FC in front of a crowd of 5,232 fans at Cashman Field.

The visiting Canadian side led by head coach Greg Vanney were the aggressors in the first 20 minutes of this matchup, with Lights FC containing them and doing a good job to keep their goal intact.

Once the new members of the Las Vegas lineup got the nerves of debuting in their new home out of the way, they let loose on the pitch and started generating danger. The aggressiveness of fan favorite Alex Harlley paid off when goalkeeper Alex Bono tried to play the ball inside the 18-yard box, but the Togo native known as “Acapulco” stole it and put it in the back of the net to score the first goal of the game in the 38th minute.

Irvin Parra showed off his speed after Cristhian “Tripa” Hernandez set him up with a long ball of over 50 yards that he controlled with his chest to afterwards juke a defender and put it past the keeper to send the Lights in ahead 2-0 into the halftime break.

Toronto cut the home team’s lead in the 64th minute with a Ryan Telfer strike from the penalty arch that Thomas Olsen had no chance of stopping. But instead of defending their 1 goal advantage, the Lights put the pressure on their opponents in their own field and that paid off.

The new Las Vegas coaching staff did a total of 10 substitutions in the second half, with Edwin Rivas making the biggest difference on the field out of the players who weren’t in the starting XI. Two trialists, Jesus Quintero & Miguel Villa, set up Rivas to have a one-on-one shot against the Toronto goalkeeper that he capitalized on in the 67th minute.

Coach Wynalda has said that his team won’t be satisfied if they’re ahead in the score and that was showed off on Saturday afternoon in the final minutes of the game when the Lights stole the ball a couple of feet away from the penalty area twice and made the fans keep the celebration going with a perfectly placed kick by Bryan Arguez and an Edwin Rivas header set up by Las Vegas native Matt Thomas.

Rivas scored a brace against the team that selected him with the 37th overall pick of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, but with which he didn’t receive the opportunity to make his pro debut. “This is a stepping stone to greatness with this new team. We’re all catching rhythm right now, but it’s a good feeling to be on the field against a good team”, said Rivas after making his Lights FC debut.

First impressions are shown to be very hard to change. The one Eric Wynalda and his team left on the Las Vegas crowd will be one they will never forget, “Fall in love with these guys, because they’re worth it. We knew that as a coaching staff coming in, our job is to put them in spots where they can succeed and let them showcase their talents, we saw a lot of that tonight”, stated Wynalda after the 5-1 win.

Lights FC will continue working ahead of their USL Championship regular season debut on March 9 with another Soccer Spring Training match at Cashman Field against an MLS opponent in the Colorado Rapids on February 2. Eric Wynalda wants his fans to know that he’s planning on his team following this presentation with an encore at the same level, “More of the same, we’re a very offensive team. We take risks and I don’t care if Colorado knows that. We’ll improve and we’ll get better in the upcoming days”.

Tickets for the final Soccer Spring Training game of the year against Colorado and season tickets for the 2019 season are available at LightsFC.com/Tickets or calling 702-728-4265.

Las Vegas, NV.- Las Vegas Lights FC announced Thursday the addition of Cameroonian Youth National Team forwards Tabort Etaka Preston and Bin Adolf Enow. Both players signings are pending league and federation approval.

“In this league we need players like them who can really just beat you on pace. The conditions in Vegas won’t affect them, that’s part of the logic on why we brought them here,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda on his newest additions.

Tabort Etaka Preston represented his native country at the prestigious Under-20 African Cup of Nations tournament in 2017 where he was a starter in the Lions’ three group matches. He also has USL Championship experience in his resume having played briefly for the Charlotte Independence between his time playing in Europe.  First for KS Kastrioti in Albania and then most recently for MFK Vyskov of the Czech Republic.

“There’s multiple teams in Europe that have him on their radar.  We are very fortunate to get him. He’s going to score a lot of goals in this league,” Wynalda stated.

At 18 years old, Bin Adolf Enow’s skills and speed have turned him into one of the most promising young strikers in Cameroon.  Nasir has received multiple invitations to be a part of Cameroon’s famed youth national team camps where he has regularly starred as a goal scoring attacker.

“He has been well versed in big games already, we’ve seen him under pressure and he hasn’t let anybody down,” Wynalda said. “The thinking on bringing him here is ‘let’s see what he has, let’s see how much success he can have in USL at a very young age’.”

Both Preston and Enow will join the team’s training sessions on Thursday afternoon at  2 p.m. ahead of the first 2019 Lights FC Soccer Spring Training match against Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon with a special start time 2 p.m.

Las Vegas, NV — In advance of Las Vegas Lights FC home opener this Saturday February 2, and as part of Cashman Field’s on-going transition from a baseball field to a soccer stadium, Lights FC unveiled a unique opportunity to allow local soccer players to “play where the pros play.” Specifically, Lights FC has converted the grass located in the old baseball outfield into new mini-soccer fields available for a variety of community use.

The transition of the grass area from a baseball outfield into mini-soccer fields is the result of the Las Vegas Aviators baseball team (previously known as the Las Vegas 51s) anticipated move to its new baseball only stadium in downtown Summerlin this spring. As Lights FC is restricted from making any permanent modifications to the stadium prior to the new baseball stadium opening in Summerlin, Lights FC has decided in the interim to provide additional opportunities for local soccer players for the entirety of the 2019 USL Championship season. It will remain a grass surface, available for the community.

“One of the biggest challenges for local soccer players is a lack of grass fields,” said Lights FC Owner & C.E.O. Brett Lashbrook.  “We are proud to find this unique way to provide special one-time experiences for players across the valley.”

Scheduling for the mini-fields will be subject to inclement weather and availability will be limited to one-time opportunities for each group.  The fields will not be regularly assigned to any specific league, clubs or organizations, but rather available for special practices/games, birthday parties, corporate outings, etc. Users of the field will also have access to Lights FC match tickets.

Register below:

LAS VEGAS, NV.- Lights FC is continuing their commitment with the Las Vegas community and is joining forces with elementary & middle schools across the valley to reward students who reach academic objectives related to reading.

“So many kids work hard to score goals on a soccer field, but we know the most important thing is for them to reach their goals in the classroom,” Lights FC owner / CEO Brett Lashbrook said. “We are excited to use our professional athletes to help motivate students across Las Vegas to improve their futures.”

Every student that achieves their reading goal will receive a free ticket to attend a Lights FC home game. In its soft launch phase alone, over 100 schools have already signed up to be a part of this program which features Lights FC players and mascot — ‘Cash The Soccer Rocker’ — attending school assemblies where they speak about the importance of reading.

“It’s honestly one of my favorites parts of being on the team, doing these community outreach events. Especially at schools, because at one point we were all in their shoes.” said Lights FC Goalkeeper Thomas Olsen who grew up in Las Vegas.

Recently, Olsen joined fellow Las Vegas native Angel Alvarez at Lights FC’s first Reading Goals event held at Reynaldo Martinez Elementary School. Both Las Vegas natives spoke to over 400 kids across multiple sessions, where students had the opportunity to hold a Q&A session with the players and held a soccer skill contest on stage.

“Reading Goals is definitely a program that is going to help the youth in our community to read more, learn more and come to watch us play as a reward from reading books,” Alvarez said.

Visit LightsFC.com/ReadingGoals to learn more about how local schools in Las Vegas can sign up for the Reading Goals program or call 702-728-4625.

Edwin Rivas – Forward – 5’11 – 1/8/1992 (27 years old)

Selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2015 MLS Superdraft by Toronto FC, he signed his first professional contract with USL club Toronto FC II where he had 18 appearances.

Three sport athlete in High School (soccer, football & basketball), 4-year starter at Cal State Northridge where he was named to the 2012 1st team All-Conference in the Big West.

Eric Wynalda on Rivas: “I think he is incredibly fast, has a wonderful left foot. I got to know him two years ago through what was then called the UPSL. He was in between teams and needed an opportunity.  I fell in love with him in the UPSL level with the Wolves. This is an opportunity for him to really embrace and I think he will, I think he’ll have great success in USL.”

Javan Torre – Defender – 6’2 – 10/20/1993 (25 years old)

Selected in the 2016 MLS Superdraft by Colorado Rapids with the 56th overall pick, this after playing 4 seasons at UCLA.

Represented the United States in the youth level, seeing action with the national team that in 2013 competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France and the CONCACAF U-20 championship.  He also played briefly in Germany with FSV Frankfurt in the 2017-2018 season.

He’s a player that takes care of the little details, keeps things simple, but at the same time is creative depending on where he’s playing on the field.

Eric Wynalda on Torre: “This country has known him for a long time, he has been a part of our developmental system as far as the national team programs since a very young age. Everyone has always been very impressed with his ability, had a very good career at UCLA. I have no doubt that he will be a leader and a very good component of our team”.

Kevin Garcia Lopez – Defender – 5’6 – 8/29/1992 (26 years old)

Worked himself up from redshirting in his first season with UC-Santa Barbara, to being the Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in his senior year (2014).

Kevin is a soccer lifer, he has been playing since he was 4 years old and says that being with Lights FC is a “once in a lifetime chance” that he fully intends to take advantage of. He describes himself as an attacking minded defender, laid back but basically like a second right mid.

Eric Wynalda on Garcia Lopez: “I remember him from his days in Santa Barbara. I took him on in the Wolves, had great success with him there and very familiar with his performances with Cal United very recently. I think his talent on the right side mixed with his engine certainly gives him the ability to run for 90 minutes, he is a great weapon on the right side.”

Gabriel Robinson – Defender – 6’2 – 2/5/1995 (23 years old)

He can be considered a late bloomer, as he didn’t start playing soccer until he was 16 years old. But once he did, he did it in a very high level as he enjoys the physical play that is required from his position.

Played his 4-year collegiate career with Cal State – Northridge, where he had the opportunity of participating in a pair of NCAA Tournaments (2013 & 2016). As a freshman, he was a part of the # 3 ranked Matador’s team (highest ranking in school history) and as a senior he experienced winning the Big West Southern Division championship and the Conference Tournament title.

He’s a threat with long throw-ins, giving his teammates opportunities to score from them with his ability to get the ball in the box. His track and field background combined with his height, gives him an advantage both when he’s defending his goal and when he’s attacking the opposing team in set pieces, there’s a very good chance he’s going to beat his opponent to the ball if it’s in the air and he’s close to it.

Eric Wynalda on Robinson: “He’s a guy that that had a trial in Germany last year and some interest in the third and second division there. I don’t think he has seen a real opportunity yet, so this will be it. I’m taking a chance with him but I feel that he’s up to the task. One thing you’ll remember after watching Gabe play is he’s great in the air, he’s a very strong incredible athlete … but the throw-in, I’ve never seen anybody throw a ball 60 yards, it’s quite a weapon and we’ll use it.”

Bryan de la Fuente – Defender – 7/1/1992 (26 years old)

Came up through the the famed Chivas youth academies, first in Guadalajara and afterwards in Southern California with Chivas USA, with whom he made his MLS debut in 2010 at the age of 18. He continued his career with Liga MX side Xolos de Tijuana before returning to Chivas USA in 2013.

The following year he accomplished a milestone in his career by getting signed by a team in Europe. He played 2 seasons with FC Ararat Yerevan of the Armenian Premier League, in 2016 he was transferred to league runners-up FC Shirak with which he played for a season.

In 2017 he returned to Los Angeles where he was a key contributor with Cal United winning the UPSL national championships both in the spring and fall seasons.

Eric Wynalda on De La Fuente: “I thought somebody would pick him up, I know he had a trial with LAFC. He’s a pro, he’s very good on the left side and brings a lot of consistency. If you look at the trio of Garcia Lopez-Robinson-De La Fuente, those 3 have over 75 games together on the back line so they have a great understanding of each other. As a leader, I think Bryan will recognize that. There’s a lot of consistency already on a team that we’re just formulating right now.”

Cristhian Hernandez – Midfielder – 10/30/93 (25 years old)

A defensive midfielder characterized by his technique, vision and patience on the field of play.

Hernandez is a product of the Liga MX’s Pachuca & MLS’ side LA Galaxy youth academies, making his professional debut with the Philadelphia Union after being signed as the club’s third homegrown player in 2012.

Eric Wynalda on Hernandez: “Some guys when you watch them play, it’s just fun and that’s what happens when you see him. He’s the kind of player that gets you on the edge of your seat and almost subconsciously saying ‘please give him the ball, I want to see what he does next’. I’ve been really impressed with his passing ability, his ability to connect. The reasoning of bringing a guy like him to the team is that he’s going to make the speed guy want to run, he’s the quarterback that will pass you the ball and he has the ability to put it on a dime.”

Pablo Cruz – Midfielder – 12/30/1991 (27 years old)

Represented the U.S. Men’s Youth National Teams with the U17 & U20 categories before receiving his first professional opportunity in 2012 with the Atlanta Silverbacks where he played for three seasons, highlighted by winning the NASL Spring title in 2013.

Made his USL debut with Orange County Blues in 2016 before heading to Europe where he played with Shirak SC for a semester, scoring two goals in his stint in the Armenian Premier League.

“Lito” likes playing simple, but also confronts opposing players both defensively and in attack.

Eric Wynalda on Cruz: “We’re very lucky to get him. He’s very talented with the ball, he’ll be one of the better players in the league and he’s someone that can change the game. Sometimes you gotta wait for it, but I’m a patient manager and those moments of magic when they happen are worth it.”

Eric Gonzalez – Midfielder – 3/24/94 (24 years old)

Was a part of the LA Galaxy Youth Academy, where he won the U16 national title. His abilities took him to represent the United State Men’s National Team in the U-14, U-15 & U-17 categories.

During his senior year in high school, Gonzalez joined the Chivas USA U-18 team, giving him the opportunity to practice with the MLS first team for a full year. Afterwards he accepted a full ride scholarship to UC Riverside, where he played from 2012 thru 2015.

Eric Wynalda on Gonzalez: “He’s had a lot of experience through our USMNT youth programs, he was part of our national team in a very young age, but at some point he just kinda fell off the radar. He’s been waiting for an opportunity to play in the professional level, I don’t feel like I’m taking a chance with him because I know exactly what I’m gonna get. That’s a guy that will do whatever we ask him to, he’ll play multiple positions and he’s capable of doing that at this level. The smile on his face when we told him that he was coming was worth it, let’s hope he continues to smile.”

Irvin Parra – Midfielder – 8/18/1993 (25 years old)

Began his professional career in Germany where he played for 3 clubs in 4 years, setting career highs with 6 goals and 30 appearances during the 2013-2014 season playing with Zweibrücken of the Regionalliga.

Returned to the United States in 2016, where he was a mid-season acquisition for USL side Sounders FC 2. In 2017 he became the first player in USL Championship history to record double-digit goals and assists in the same season. That year he played 20 matches with Seattle, in which he had 6 goals and 6 assists before mutually agreeing with the team to part ways to join Orange County SC for the final 2 months of the season, where he scored 5 goals and recorded 4 assists in 10 matches.

Eric Wynalda on Parra: “He’s a proven goal scorer, at every level he has been at he’s scored goals. He had a trip back to Germany, that’s where I kind of found some tape of his and I was able to track him a bit. He’d rather be here than Germany, we’re very lucky to have him because this is a guy that is really hungry, he wants to prove his worth and I expect him to score a lot this year.”

AlexNyarko Harlley – Midfielder – 6/28/1992 (26 years old)

Born in Togo, where he immediately fell in love with soccer, the only sport that is played in West Africa.

Moved to the United States when he was 18 years old. He went on to star in high school with Rosamond High School (California), winning a state title before moving on to the collegiate level, where he only played for one year in which he scored 22 goals and tallied 17 assists in 23 games for Yavapai College in Arizona.

Eric Wynalda scouted him and gave him an opportunity with Atlanta, where he signed his first pro contract when he was 21. He considers Eric as a mentor – father figure who sees something in him that nobody else saw in him before.

He played one season in the USL with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, his knowledge of the league has him excited of returning to it as he describes it as a “good and competitive league which keeps growing every year.”

He is expected to bring excitement, aggressiveness, speed and skill as a winger.

Eric Wynalda on Harlley: “Alex will really like playing in Las Vegas. His personality is infectious, his talent is many times misunderstood. He’s been likened in a lot of occasions to someone like Mario Balotelli. Alex doesn’t like to be likened to Mario but there are a lot of similarities there in the sense that he has tremendous talent and he’s not afraid to have a funny hair cut either. I think the fans will really gravitate to him, he’s a great human being and I’m looking forward to manage him again.”

Lucas Scaglia – Midfielder – 5/6/1987 (31 years old)

One of the most experienced players to join USL, Scaglia brings experience to Lights FC as he has over a decade playing professional soccer in Europe, South America and the United States.  His career is highlighted by winning the Colombian Superliga with Deportivo Cali (one of South America’s biggest clubs) where he scored 4 goals in 18 appearances.

A orignal product of the Newell’s Old Boys youth academy in his native country of Argentina, where he developed his craft alongside eventual soccer superstar Lionel Messi.

Eric Wynalda on Scaglia: “He is one of the veteran guys, he calms my midfield, he’s incredibly steady. I think he just makes everyone around him better, he understands his role. His influence on the team is vital, because he’s a calming influence, you can give him the ball anywhere and he’ll perform. He has an extremely high soccer IQ.”

The 2019 Lights FC campaign kicks off in February as part of the annual Lights FC Soccer Spring Training featuring matches against Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC (Saturday, February 2nd) and Colorado Rapids (Saturday, February 16th), with both having special start times of 2 p.m.

Lights FC will start its second regular season in team history at Cashman Field on March 9 against expansion franchise Austin Bold FC. The squad representing the capital of Texas is one of three new opponents Las Vegas will face in the upcoming year, as El Paso Locomotive and New Mexico United are also slated to make their debut in 2019.

The Silver State Cup will begin on June 1 in Reno, concluding at Cashman Field on October 12 in what will mark the final Lights FC home game of the regular season. Las Vegas will try to take away the state’s supremacy from their neighbors up north after 1868 FC won the 3-game series in 2018 by an aggregate of 6-5, with the difference being a last second goal in the 2nd of three matchups (1-1 draw in Las Vegas, 2-1 1868 FC win in Reno, 3-3 tie in Reno).

A good rivalry was formed against eventual Western Conference Champions Phoenix Rising FC, both teams are separated by only 300 miles. The first duel between both in 2019 will be played at the Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex on May 18, while the match at Cashman Field will be contested on Wednesday, September 11.

Regular season games at Cashman Field are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than most Lights FC home matches in 2018.

Single game tickets for all 2019 home matches are now on sale at LightsFC.com/SingleTickets starting at just $15. Additionally, all Lights FC preseason, regular season & US Open Cup home matches are included in every Season Ticket Package, which are also available for purchase beginning at just $200 at LightsFC.com/SeasonTickets.

Breakdown:

AT HOME – 15 Saturday games, and one each on Wednesday and Thursday.

ON THE ROAD – 13 Saturday games, 3 Wednesday games & 1 Sunday game.

MONTH WITH THE MOST LIGHTS FC GAMES –  September with 6

MONTHS WITH THE LEAST LIGHTS FC GAMES – July & October with 3 each

MOST HOME GAMES – May, June and September with 3 each

MOST ROAD GAMES – August with 4

Expanded Format For 2019 USL Cup Playoffs 

The 2019 USL Cup Playoffs will expand to include 10 teams from each conference, with the lowest four seeds in each conference opening the postseason in the Play-In Round, provisionally slated for Wednesday, October 23 with the No. 7 seed hosting the No. 10 seed and the No. 8 seed hosting the No. 9 seed for a place in the
Conference Quarterfinals.

Following the Play-In Round, the two teams to advance will be placed into the main bracket for the Conference Quarterfinals, with the lower remaining seed facing the conference’s No. 1 seed and the higher remaining seed facing the No. 2 seed.

The single-elimination format will then continue for the following four weekends in a fixed-bracket format with the higher seed in each matchup serving as host through the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. The 2019 USL Cup will be held between November 14-18, 2019 and be hosted by the conference champion with the better regular-season record.

2019 USL Cup Playoffs Schedule
Play-In Round – October 23
Conference Quarterfinals – October 25-27
Conference Semifinals – November 1-3
Conference Finals – November 8-10
USL Cup – November 14-18

New Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda led a group of scouts in evaluating talent from soccer players who signed up to be a part of the team’s second ever Open Tryouts.

Over 400 players were split in two early sessions where they played 5 vs 5 with Wynalda, his assistant coach Auggie Rodriguez and World Cup veteran with the U.S. Men’s National team Paul Caligiuri, among other scouts observing the action. When they spotted a player with outstanding technique and ability, they would hand out a green wristband to him that meant they were selected to be a part of the second filter.

“The overall enthusiasm of the players who were at our tryouts proves that we really are a soccer city. I was really impressed by the youth movement that was here, we’ve been trying very diligently to find where these players are and I was very fortunate that they came to the tryouts because now I know who they are and how talented they can be. A lot of positives came out of the tryout”, Lights FC Manager Eric Wynalda said.

The size of the group trimmed down to 102 for the afternoon session, where each player was utilized in their preferred position during 11 vs 11 scrimmages. Lights FC coaching staff continued the selection process by narrowing the pool of players down to 50 to play in a final showcase match.

In the end, there are multiple players from the tryout that will be invited back to the Lights FC’s training camp in January to compete for a final roster spot.

“There is so much talent in Las Vegas, a lot of the players that we were impressed by today are under the age of 17. We have a great future, this just proves that this is a very alive and well soccer community, we got to see it here. As coaches, as a club, I’m very impressed”, Wynalda stated.

Tickets On-Sale Now at LightsFC.com

Season tickets starting at $200 and single match tickets from just $15

LAS VEGAS, NV. –  The United Soccer League released the home-opener schedule for the 2019 USL Championship on Friday. Lights FC will kick off the new season against expansion franchise Austin Bold at Cashman Field on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm. This will be the first of 17 regular season matches that Las Vegas will play at home.  

Tickets for Lights FC’s regular season home opener, as well as for Soccer Spring Training matches against Major League Soccer teams Toronto FC (Feb. 2) & Colorado Rapids (Feb. 16) are on sale now at LightsFC.com/SingleTickets. Season ticket packages that include all 2019 Lights FC preseason, regular season and USL Open Cup home games, are also available for purchase beginning at just $200 at Lights FC.com/SeasonTickets.

Additionally, the League Office announced today that Las Vegas will face a pair of USL Championship teams in their home openers: OKC Energy on March 16 and Portland Timbers 2 on March 23.

For the second year in a row, Las Vegas Lights FC will test their players against the best opposition by hosting a pair of MLS opponents for preseason matches in the second annual installment of “Soccer Spring Training.”

Toronto FC (February 2nd) and Colorado Rapids (February 16th) will visit Downtown Las Vegas with games that will have a special start time of 2pm. These matchups will mark new Lights FC’s head coach Eric Wynalda’s debut in front of the loyal Las Vegas fanbase.

“Season two can’t start soon enough.  We are ecstatic to bring more MLS Clubs to Cashman Field.  We proved last year we can be a big time soccer market — and now with Cashman Field being a soccer-only venue and U.S. soccer superstar Eric Wynalda as our new coach we are ready to rock n’ roll,” said Lights FC Owner & C.E.O. Brett Lashbrook.  “Our continued thanks to Mayor Goodman for believing in Lights FC’s continual quest to become the next great American soccer success story.”

First on tap is Toronto FC on Saturday February 2, 2019. Winners of the MLS Cup in 2017 and runners-up in the 2018 Concacaf Champions League, the Canadian side is highlighted by two players who represented the U.S. Men’s National Team (“USMNT”) in the 2010 & 2014 FIFA World Cups: midfielder Michael Bradley and striker Jozy Altidore.

Also, in their roster Toronto FC features Sebastian Giovinco, former Juventus and Italy National team member. He is the winner of the 2015 MLS MVP award and was nominated for it again in the 2017 season.

Two weeks later, Colorado Rapids FC’s team headlined by iconic USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard will be at Cashman Field to face off with Lights FC on Saturday February 16, 2019. Howard represented the stars & stripes in three FIFA World Cups and played 13 seasons in the English Premier League with Manchester United and Everton.

Soccer Spring Training will feature multiple American soccer stars across multiple generations.  Only 13 players have more than 105 appearances with the US Men’s National team, with 4 of them being scheduled to be at Cashman Field during Soccer Spring Training: Lights manager Eric Wynalda (106), Toronto striker Jozy Altidore (110), Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard (121) & Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley (142).

Tickets for both matches are included in Season Ticket packages that start at just $200 for all 2019 Lights FC home matches (Soccer Spring Training, USL Championship regular season, U.S. Soccer Open Cup & any additional exhibition matches featuring Lights FC at Cashman Field). Individual game tickets for Soccer Spring Training games are now on sale starting at just $15 at LightsFC.com/SpringTraining.

The search for the “most interesting player in the world” is the latest Lights FC’s initiative to disrupt conventional sports in the most Las Vegas way possible.  In their inaugural season, some of the club’s more outlandish innovations included:

• Featured Dotty and Dolly, two live llamas, as on-field mascots
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• Incorporated a smiley-face emoji on the inside of team jerseys for goal celebrations
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• Dropped $5,000 from a helicopter as a halftime promotion featured on SportsCenter
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• Awarded $100 casino chips on-field to players for big wins
• Debuted new jerseys via body painting players
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• Invited a DJ into the locker room for pre-game inspiration to players
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• Integrated live, in-game sports betting into the stadium and in the groundbreaking #BetCast live television game broadcast

“As part of our goal to become the next great American soccer success story, Lights FC is constantly seeking big ideas with like-minded people.  We live in a one of a kind city — and our team doesn’t do ordinary,” said team owner Brett Lashbrook. “Coach Wynalda wants to find great new players — and we are committed to helping him however needed.   In fact, we’re prepared to break soccer’s gender barrier if Miss Chiquita, Flo from Progressive or the Wendy’s Girl emerges from our tryout. Our club has no boundaries in our thinking. Don’t underestimate our desire to find the most interesting player ever!”

Any individuals who believe they have what it takes to be the “most interesting player in the world” are encouraged to register at LightsFC.com/tryouts or e-mail TalkingSoccer@www.lasvegaslightsfc.com.  To date, more than 150 players have already registered for the tryout.