Las Vegas Lights FC is visiting New Mexico United on Saturday in the 2024 USL Championship’s Western Conference Semifinal. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT at Rio Grade Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised locally on SSSEN and streamed nationally on ESPN+ (subscription required).
HOW THEY GOT HERE:
Las Vegas: Defeated Sacramento Republic FC 3-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw in regulation in Round One.
New Mexico: Defeated Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 in Round One.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Lights: 13-10-11 (50 points, 4th West), New Mexico: 18-11-5 (59 points, 1st West)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Las Vegas: WLLWD, New Mexico: WLDDL
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Las Vegas and New Mexico each won one of their two meetings this season with both winning away from home. New Mexico defeated the Lights 2-1 at Cashman Field on May 4 before Las Vegas went into Albuquerque on July 31 and walked away with a 2-1 victory of their own.
HISTORY CONTINUES: Las Vegas continued its incredible season last week by winning its first playoff match in club history.
AROZARENA STANDS ON HEAD: Lights goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena came up clutch in the penalty shootout win over Sacramento in Round One by stopping the first three attempts he faced en route to a Vegas victory.
ROAD WARRIORS: Las Vegas Lights FC was one of only four USL Championship clubs to finish the season with more wins than defeats on the road (7-6-4), with one of those wins already coming at New Mexico United.
REGAINING FORM: New Mexico will look to ride the momentum from its late win against defending champion Phoenix in Round One. New Mexico sputtered down the stretch of the regular season going winless in its last five contests (0-3-2) and being outscored 10-4.
COMEBACK KIDS: New Mexico came from 1-0 down to beat Phoenix in Round One, marking the fifth time it came from behind to win this season. That feat is good for second in the league this year (Louisville City, seven).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Daniel Bruce, M
Bruce only has five goals on the season, but three of them came in two matches against Las Vegas. The English midfielder scored a brace in New Mexico’s away win in May before tallying another goal in a losing effort in July.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Lights FC Defender Gennaro Nigro
On what the Round One win over Sacramento Republic FC meant…
After the first round win, it was unbelievable to see everybody collectively together, especially after the final whistle.
But, even before the game, it was really evident that we were more together than ever. Throughout the game, there was never a point where I felt alone on the pitch, whether it be with my teammates or from the fans.
On the matchup against New Mexico United in the Western Conference Semifinal…
Looking at New Mexico, they’re a top side that we’ve played multiple times this year and we were able to get the advantage over them the last time out.
That being said, they’re a team with lots of attacking quality and fluidity through the last lines. I think, ultimately, our ability to protect the goal and be able to exploit their high offensive line will be what gets us the result.
