Las Vegas Lights FC is hosting Oakland Roots SC on Saturday in their second and final meeting of the regular season. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Cashman Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised locally on SSSEN and streamed nationally on ESPN+ (subscription required).
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Lights: 13-8-11 (50 points, 2nd West), Roots: 12-15-5 (41 points, 8th West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Las Vegas: WDWWD, Oakland: LDLLL
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Lights defeated the Roots 3-0 in northern California on March 30 behind goals from Coleman Gannon, Gaoussou Samaké and Valentin Noël.
FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT: Saturday marks the final home match of the 2024 regular season. The club is thanking its supporters by giving away free team posters at the gate, select merchandise discounts, food and beverage deals, in-match honors and more. Learn more about Fan Appreciation Week here.
HOME COOKING: After already clinching the first postseason appearance in team history, the Lights can secure a home playoff berth with a win on Saturday, ensuring at least one playoff match at Cashman Field.
HISTORIC TURNAROUND: A win on Saturday would also tie the Charleston Battery’s USL Championship record for the largest points turnaround in league history, with a chance to break it on the season’s final day.
ONE LOSS IN 20: Las Vegas Lights FC’s incredible streak has reached 20 matches, with the club losing just once since the start of June.
TRENDING DOWNWARD: The Roots, on the other hand, enter this weekend trying to find their footing. They’re winless in six including five losses (0-5-1).
TROUBLE DEFENDING: Part of Oakland’s struggles stems from its defensive output, as the club owns the second-worst defensive record in the league with 50 goals conceded. Only Miami FC has allowed more.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Johnny Rodríguez, F
Rodríguez is the focal point up front for the Roots, having scored 10 goals this season. No one else on Oakland has scored more than twice.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Lights FC forward Coleman Gannon
On being able to clinch a home playoff match with a win this weekend…
This is the first time that the Lights have made the playoffs, so it would be pretty special to get to do it in front of the fans.
Lights FC forward Solomon Asante
On the team’s togetherness to have just one loss in the last 20 matches…
We’re always ready. The love is there, we respect each other, we respect the tactics. We know what we’re doing.
Lights FC Head Coach Dennis Sanchez
On keys to the match against Oakland Roots this weekend…
Our approach to every game is the same. We want to go out and win. Playing in front of our home crowd in the last official home match of the regular season, it’s Fan Appreciation night, so we want to end of a high note here. We know that securing a home playoff game in the future is going to be important to us lifting the trophy, so we’re going to come out and we’re going to approach it the same way. With Oakland, you have a team that has, at different times throughout the year, performed at a really high level. Their backs area against the wall, and we’re expecting a very competitive match.
