James Murphy was just one of several midseason additions to the Las Vegas Lights FC roster who added a spark for the club on the pitch over the course of the last two months.
After consistent, strong play in seven appearances for Lights FC, including five starts, the 20-year-old Scotch Plains, N.J. native is headed back to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club. LAFC recalled Murphy from his loan to Lights FC effective immediately.
Murphy joined the club in late June, and made an immediate impact, notching a key assist on a Sammy Ochoa goal just after subbing on for the first time in a June 24 match at Swope Park Rangers. Overall, Murphy logged 488 minutes over the course of his seven appearances.
The move comes a week after Lights FC added another MLS player via loan, with Minnesota United FC rookie defender Carter Manley – A 2018 MLS SuperDraft first round pick – joining the club.
Most recently, Lights FC knocked off Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Saturday night in front of 6,752 fans at Cashman Field. The win was Lights FC’s fourth straight on home turf, improving the club to 7-9-5 (26 points) in its inaugural season.
Coming off Saturday’s win, the team will carry a healthy 22-man roster forward, beginning next Saturday at 5:30 p.m., as it goes for a season sweep of Saint Louis FC. While the team is on the road for the match, Lights FC will host a free poolside watch party at Plaza Hotel & Casino. The night will feature appearances by Lights FC players, Cash the Soccer Rocker, drink specials and raffle prizes throughout the night on the hotel’s iconic rooftop pool deck.
Lights FC returns home looking for its fifth straight victory in DTLV on Saturday, August 18, at 8 p.m., when top USL Western Conference outfit Phoenix Rising FC comes to town. It will be “UFC Night” at Cashman Field, with UFC fighters in attendance both at the match and the Zappos pregame tailgate party to interact with fans of all ages. For a full rundown of special ticket offers and promotions throughout August’s “Saturday Night Lights” schedule, visit LightsFC.com/August.
