NEWS

Las Vegas, NV — Lights FC and Locomotive FC are fighting to get into a playoff spot with less than two months left in the USL Championship regular season. Their clash at Cashman Field this Saturday will be crucial for the aspirations of both Las Vegas and El Paso to play in postseason action.

“This match is going to be monumental for us, we’re going to bring it to El Paso,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “It has the makings of a fantastic game, we’re looking at this match as a playoff game, the winner will set themselves up in a very good position.”

On Wednesday, Tabort Etaka Preston scored his fifth goal of the season, which was his first since his game-winning goal on the road against El Paso on June 22. For Lights FC being able to have the Cameroonian striker put the ball in the back of the net is key, opening more options for the Las Vegas attack.

“It’s going to be very different from when we played them in El Paso because we are at home, so we’re not going to hold back,” stated Tabort Etaka Preston. “I’m trying to get my groove back and help score as many goals as I can to help the team. We have a big responsibility on our back and we have to deliver.”

Out of the three opponents that Lights FC will host in the next week and a half, Locomotive FC is the only one that Las Vegas was able to get a good result against on the road, but they know it won’t be easy to sweep the season series against El Paso.

“Having already beaten them and having it be our only away victory actually sets them up to be highly motivated to earn back those points”, said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “El Paso is a tricky team. They’ve had some very difficult times in their community and those are things that always remind you life is a heck of a lot bigger than sports or any game. It will be a very good and highly competitive game, we’re going to have to be at our best to get the three points.”

SATURDAY’S OPPONENT: EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC

Locomotive FC has shown that one of their strengths is obtaining positive results away from El Paso, kicking off the season by going undefeated in their first seven road games. Despite losing three out of their last four road matches, only one of those defeats was by multiple goals. El Paso has come out with points in eight out of their 11 road battles, allowing more than one score in just two of those games.

Mark Lowry was appointed manager and technical director of El Paso Locomotive FC on July 25, 2018, after leading NASL’s Jacksonville Armada for 2 years.

Locomotive FC features former U.S. National team member Jerome Kiesewetter, the USL Championship player of the month in May and who is currently tied for sixth-best in the league in goals with 11. Former Lights FC midfielder Omar Salgado has scored 4 goals and delivering 5 assists in 24 games for his hometown team.

Logan Ketterer has starred as El Paso’s starting goalkeeper, racking up nine clean sheets. He has only conceded 23 goals in 22 games, leading the Locomotive FC defense to be the third-best in the Western Conference this season (total of 28 goals allowed).

LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO SATURDAY’S MATCH:

STRONG AT HOME

Lights FC will have to take advantage of their home-field advantage in the final stretch of the season to keep their playoffs aspirations high. Las Vegas has shown their best football while playing in front of their fans, where in twelve games they have 7 wins, 4 draws, and only one loss. The Lights have outscored their opponents at Cashman by a combined 24 goals to 8.

The match against El Paso is the first of a three-game homestand, which will continue by facing defending Western Conference Champions Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, September 11 for Tribute to Local Heroes Night, concluding on Saturday, September 14 Lights FC versus Fresno FC on Hispanic Heritage Night.

PRESTON STRIKES

For a forward, getting out of a slump is very important. After going 8 matches without finding the back of the net, Tabort Etaka Preston was able to get his fifth goal of the season against Real Monarchs SLC.

The “Fresh Prince of Cameroon” is Lights FC’s second-leading goalscorer this season. His speed has been a key component to his game, with two of his goals being created with him taking the ball over 40-yards from the center of the pitch into the opponent’s box.

DEFENSIVE SCORING

Twenty-six games through the 2019 season, Lights FC hasn’t only relied on their strikers and offensive midfielders to find the back of the net, defenders have also delivered by getting goals for Eric Wynalda’s side.

Against Real Monarchs, Christian Torres scored his second goal of the year. He joined Javan Torre (4) and Gabe Robinson (3) as Lights FC’s defenders with multiple goals this season. The 9 goals Lights FC defenders have so far this year surpass the 6 that Las Vegas had in 2018 (4 by Joel Huiqui and 2 by Miguel Garduño).

IRVIN RAUL PARRA

With his diving header game-winning goal against RGV FC, Parra reached 10 goals in the 2019 season, becoming the second Lights FC player with double-digit goals in a single season while being the fastest one to do so in only 18 games.

He is currently tied with Sammy Ochoa and Raul Mendiola as the leading scorers in franchise history with 10 each. Irvin Raul Parra currently leads Las Vegas not only in goals (10) but also in assists with five. With his next goal or assist, he’ll surpass Sammy Ochoa’s 15 combined goals + assists from 2018, which led the team in its inaugural season.

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is tied for third-best in USL Championship with nine clean sheets, which is triple the times (3) Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. Olsen became the eighth goalkeeper in USL Championship’s Western Conference to have at least 9 clean sheets in a season since 2017 (regular season only).

Thomas Olsen tied his season-high with five saves against Portland Timbers 2. His performance earned him his second USL Championship Team of the Week selection. “TKO” is tied for sixth-best in the league with 63 saves.

THE CAPTAIN IS BACK

Slated to be a key component in Eric Wynalda’s Starting XI with Las Vegas, Bryan De La Fuente suffered an ACL tear in Lights FC’s final MLS Soccer Spring Training match back in February. 

After working hard on his recovery for six months, De La Fuente was cleared to play after training for three weeks full force with his squad. He made his 2019 USL Championship debut by being subbed in the 71st minute. Four days later he was a halftime substitution against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, playing the full second half of the match. Versus Real Monarchs he got his first start of the season, playing 68 minutes before being subbed out of the game.

FITOMANIA

Lights FC struck a loan deal with LAFC to add Rodolfo Zelaya to its roster. Zelaya is one of the most decorated players in El Salvador soccer history, earning 44 caps with his national team where his 21 goals have him trailing only Raúl Díaz Arce as his country’s top goalscorer. He played vital roles for El Salvador in the 2011 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cups, where he scored 4 goals in each.

“Fito” has been on the field for 138 minutes while with Las Vegas, leading the team in shots and shots on goal in the two matches as a member with Lights FC. He has played 20 more minutes with Las Vegas than he has with LAFC since the 2019 MLS season kicked off. Zelaya got called up by the El Salvador National Team on Monday, he will be a part of the 23-man roster that will play in Concacaf Nations League action on September 7th and 10th.

INJURY REPORT

Jose Villarreal – QUESTIONABLE – Lower Body Injury

HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC:

** Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in ‘Plaza Bucks’ from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

** Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m., start time for all Lights FC home matches in 2019. For on-site ticket purchase at Cashman Field, both the box office and will call open at 2:00 p.m. on regular-season gameday. Tickets are available at LightsFC.com/Tix and at every La Bonita Supermarket in Las Vegas.

** The Zappos Tailgate Party begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Cashman Field plaza, where fans can enjoy beer specials, tailgate games for adults and kids, music, the Zappos llamas Dottie and Dollie, Lights FC merchandise, and much more.

** The Pitchside Pool Party will keep rolling in the two weekend home matches Lights FC has in September (9/7 vs El Paso, 9/14 vs Fresno). It features multiple “swimming pools” located pitchside to bring fans as close to the action as possible. Each pool rental is priced at $50 and can be reserved at LightsFC.com/PoolParty, calling 702-728-GOAL or by visiting the Lights FC Guest Services Booth at Cashman Field on match days.

** Media credential on-site pick-up and entry begins at 4:30 p.m. Credentials can be picked up at Media Check-In, located at the Zappos Gate. For all other media-related inquiries, please visit our Media Center.

** The party doesn’t stop at the end of the action on the pitch. After every Lights FC home match, Two Roots Brewing, and Zappos will host the “Happier Hour” post-game party at Cashman Field’s Club Level Restaurant. Team players and manager Eric Wynalda will make an appearance at the party that is open to fans of all ages that are in attendance at Cashman Field.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC VS. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC:

Las Vegas Lights FC fans will be able to follow-up along with every match of the 2019 USL Championship season via national & local media outlets.

Saturday’s game (7:30 p.m. kickoff) will be aired locally on MyLVTV with broadcasters Jeff Radcliffe and Tom Traxler announcing the action.

The match will also be aired on ESPN+, while the Spanish-language radio broadcast with Alvaro Puentes & Alejandro Romo on the call can be listened at ESPN Deportes 1460 AM & online on LVSportsNetwork.com.

Las Vegas, NV — Lights FC and Locomotive FC are fighting to get into a playoff spot with less than two months left in the USL Championship regular season. Their clash at Cashman Field this Saturday will be crucial for the aspirations of both Las Vegas and El Paso to play in postseason action.

“This match is going to be monumental for us, we’re going to bring it to El Paso,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “It has the makings of a fantastic game, we’re looking at this match as a playoff game, the winner will set themselves up in a very good position.”

On Wednesday, Tabort Etaka Preston scored his fifth goal of the season, which was his first since his game-winning goal on the road against El Paso on June 22. For Lights FC being able to have the Cameroonian striker put the ball in the back of the net is key, opening more options for the Las Vegas attack.

“It’s going to be very different from when we played them in El Paso because we are at home, so we’re not going to hold back,” stated Tabort Etaka Preston. “I’m trying to get my groove back and help score as many goals as I can to help the team. We have a big responsibility on our back and we have to deliver.”

Out of the three opponents that Lights FC will host in the next week and a half, Locomotive FC is the only one that Las Vegas was able to get a good result against on the road, but they know it won’t be easy to sweep the season series against El Paso.

“Having already beaten them and having it be our only away victory actually sets them up to be highly motivated to earn back those points”, said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “El Paso is a tricky team. They’ve had some very difficult times in their community and those are things that always remind you life is a heck of a lot bigger than sports or any game. It will be a very good and highly competitive game, we’re going to have to be at our best to get the three points.”

SATURDAY’S OPPONENT: EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC

Locomotive FC has shown that one of their strengths is obtaining positive results away from El Paso, kicking off the season by going undefeated in their first seven road games. Despite losing three out of their last four road matches, only one of those defeats was by multiple goals. El Paso has come out with points in eight out of their 11 road battles, allowing more than one score in just two of those games.

Mark Lowry was appointed manager and technical director of El Paso Locomotive FC on July 25, 2018, after leading NASL’s Jacksonville Armada for 2 years.

Locomotive FC features former U.S. National team member Jerome Kiesewetter, the USL Championship player of the month in May and who is currently tied for sixth-best in the league in goals with 11. Former Lights FC midfielder Omar Salgado has scored 4 goals and delivering 5 assists in 24 games for his hometown team.

Logan Ketterer has starred as El Paso’s starting goalkeeper, racking up nine clean sheets. He has only conceded 23 goals in 22 games, leading the Locomotive FC defense to be the third-best in the Western Conference this season (total of 28 goals allowed).

LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO SATURDAY’S MATCH:

STRONG AT HOME

Lights FC will have to take advantage of their home-field advantage in the final stretch of the season to keep their playoffs aspirations high. Las Vegas has shown their best football while playing in front of their fans, where in twelve games they have 7 wins, 4 draws, and only one loss. The Lights have outscored their opponents at Cashman by a combined 24 goals to 8.

The match against El Paso is the first of a three-game homestand, which will continue by facing defending Western Conference Champions Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, September 11 for Tribute to Local Heroes Night, concluding on Saturday, September 14 Lights FC versus Fresno FC on Hispanic Heritage Night.

PRESTON STRIKES

For a forward, getting out of a slump is very important. After going 8 matches without finding the back of the net, Tabort Etaka Preston was able to get his fifth goal of the season against Real Monarchs SLC.

The “Fresh Prince of Cameroon” is Lights FC’s second-leading goalscorer this season. His speed has been a key component to his game, with two of his goals being created with him taking the ball over 40-yards from the center of the pitch into the opponent’s box.

DEFENSIVE SCORING

Twenty-six games through the 2019 season, Lights FC hasn’t only relied on their strikers and offensive midfielders to find the back of the net, defenders have also delivered by getting goals for Eric Wynalda’s side.

Against Real Monarchs, Christian Torres scored his second goal of the year. He joined Javan Torre (4) and Gabe Robinson (3) as Lights FC’s defenders with multiple goals this season. The 9 goals Lights FC defenders have so far this year surpass the 6 that Las Vegas had in 2018 (4 by Joel Huiqui and 2 by Miguel Garduño).

IRVIN RAUL PARRA

With his diving header game-winning goal against RGV FC, Parra reached 10 goals in the 2019 season, becoming the second Lights FC player with double-digit goals in a single season while being the fastest one to do so in only 18 games.

He is currently tied with Sammy Ochoa and Raul Mendiola as the leading scorers in franchise history with 10 each. Irvin Raul Parra currently leads Las Vegas not only in goals (10) but also in assists with five. With his next goal or assist, he’ll surpass Sammy Ochoa’s 15 combined goals + assists from 2018, which led the team in its inaugural season.

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is tied for third-best in USL Championship with nine clean sheets, which is triple the times (3) Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. Olsen became the eighth goalkeeper in USL Championship’s Western Conference to have at least 9 clean sheets in a season since 2017 (regular season only).

Thomas Olsen tied his season-high with five saves against Portland Timbers 2. His performance earned him his second USL Championship Team of the Week selection. “TKO” is tied for sixth-best in the league with 63 saves.

THE CAPTAIN IS BACK

Slated to be a key component in Eric Wynalda’s Starting XI with Las Vegas, Bryan De La Fuente suffered an ACL tear in Lights FC’s final MLS Soccer Spring Training match back in February. 

After working hard on his recovery for six months, De La Fuente was cleared to play after training for three weeks full force with his squad. He made his 2019 USL Championship debut by being subbed in the 71st minute. Four days later he was a halftime substitution against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, playing the full second half of the match. Versus Real Monarchs he got his first start of the season, playing 68 minutes before being subbed out of the game.

FITOMANIA

Lights FC struck a loan deal with LAFC to add Rodolfo Zelaya to its roster. Zelaya is one of the most decorated players in El Salvador soccer history, earning 44 caps with his national team where his 21 goals have him trailing only Raúl Díaz Arce as his country’s top goalscorer. He played vital roles for El Salvador in the 2011 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cups, where he scored 4 goals in each.

“Fito” has been on the field for 138 minutes while with Las Vegas, leading the team in shots and shots on goal in the two matches as a member with Lights FC. He has played 20 more minutes with Las Vegas than he has with LAFC since the 2019 MLS season kicked off. Zelaya got called up by the El Salvador National Team on Monday, he will be a part of the 23-man roster that will play in Concacaf Nations League action on September 7th and 10th.

INJURY REPORT

Jose Villarreal – QUESTIONABLE – Lower Body Injury

HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC:

** Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in ‘Plaza Bucks’ from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

** Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m., start time for all Lights FC home matches in 2019. For on-site ticket purchase at Cashman Field, both the box office and will call open at 2:00 p.m. on regular-season gameday. Tickets are available at LightsFC.com/Tix and at every La Bonita Supermarket in Las Vegas.

** The Zappos Tailgate Party begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Cashman Field plaza, where fans can enjoy beer specials, tailgate games for adults and kids, music, the Zappos llamas Dottie and Dollie, Lights FC merchandise, and much more.

** The Pitchside Pool Party will keep rolling in the two weekend home matches Lights FC has in September (9/7 vs El Paso, 9/14 vs Fresno). It features multiple “swimming pools” located pitchside to bring fans as close to the action as possible. Each pool rental is priced at $50 and can be reserved at LightsFC.com/PoolParty, calling 702-728-GOAL or by visiting the Lights FC Guest Services Booth at Cashman Field on match days.

** Media credential on-site pick-up and entry begins at 4:30 p.m. Credentials can be picked up at Media Check-In, located at the Zappos Gate. For all other media-related inquiries, please visit our Media Center.

** The party doesn’t stop at the end of the action on the pitch. After every Lights FC home match, Two Roots Brewing, and Zappos will host the “Happier Hour” post-game party at Cashman Field’s Club Level Restaurant. Team players and manager Eric Wynalda will make an appearance at the party that is open to fans of all ages that are in attendance at Cashman Field.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC VS. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC:

Las Vegas Lights FC fans will be able to follow-up along with every match of the 2019 USL Championship season via national & local media outlets.

Saturday’s game (7:30 p.m. kickoff) will be aired locally on MyLVTV with broadcasters Jeff Radcliffe and Tom Traxler announcing the action.

The match will also be aired on ESPN+, while the Spanish-language radio broadcast with Alvaro Puentes & Alejandro Romo on the call can be listened at ESPN Deportes 1460 AM & online on LVSportsNetwork.com.

HERRIMAN, UT – Lights FC put themselves in a great position to obtain a road win against one of the toughest home teams in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, with less than a minute left in the added time of the second half, a shot from Real Monarchs captain Jack Blake found its way to the back of the net to cut Lights FC’s chances to get the victory. Instead Lights FC head back to Sin City with a 2-2 draw.

“Despite the result, the fight that we demonstrated tonight was amazing,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “We’re gutted that we didn’t get the 3 points tonight because we deserved it. There’s still a lot of positives to get out of this game. It’s the first time this season we have consecutive road matches without a loss and we’re one point closer to a spot in the playoffs.”

Despite playing against a team with three players from MLS side Real Salt Lake in their lineup, Lights FC put a high press on Real Monarchs in the match that ended up paying off. A steal in the final third of the pitch allowed Junior Sandoval to lob a pass to Christian Torres, who struck the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Putna with a left-footed kick inside the box, opening the score for Las Vegas in the ninth minute.

“We’re forcing the opposition to go against a very organized high press,” stated Wynalda. “That’s when people can see that this team is getting better each game when you’re forcing mistakes from good players and it’s reflected by taking the lead”.

After exchanging chances, the home side got a golden opportunity to level the score when the referee called a handball in the box on Las Vegas defender Gabe Robinson. This gave Real Monarchs a penalty kick that Jack Blake capitalized in the 41st minute to send the teams with a 1-1 tie into the halftime break.

Lights FC reinforced their midfield with a pair of substitutions, first with Mobi Fehr at halftime and 13 minutes later with Victor Rojas replacing Cristian Martinez and Panzani Sousa, respectively. This was Fehr’s return to action after being out for over a month with a lower-body injury.

Las Vegas conceded the possession of the ball to the Monarchs, who created opportunities to take the lead, but goalkeeper Adam Hobbs accumulated five saves to tie the season-high for Lights FC’s goalies.

“These last two games afforded Hobbs the opportunity to get minutes with the team,” said Wynalda. “He earned the respect of everybody in our locker room, I needed to be sure that Hobbs is available and I’m so proud of his performance because he delivered on all levels.”

With Real Monarchs pushing their lines aggressively, the Lights took advantage of a counterattack off of a long throw-in by the home side. Javan Torre set up Tabort Etaka Preston for a 50-yard run to the opposing goal, where he ended up in a one-on-one opportunity against Andrew Putna, winning the battle by scoring his fifth goal of the year to give Las Vegas the lead in the 81st minute.

But the match doesn’t end until the referee indicates it, and Real Monarchs capitalized on six minutes of added time being tacked on to the second half. After not being successful in their first three attempts in stoppage time, the fourth time was the one where they finally broke the Las Vegas defense. Kalen Ryden set up Jack Blake in the box, taking a shot that got through five players to tie the game and leave the final score at 2-2. 

After playing five out of their last six matches on the road, Las Vegas returns to Cashman Field for a three-game homestand that kicks off by hosting El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, September 7 for Helicopter Drop 2.0 night. Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in ‘Plaza Bucks’ from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

Four days later, Lights FC will face league-leadingPhoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, September 11. This match is USL’s “ESPN Game of the Week” to be streamed on ESPN3. The homestand will conclude on Saturday, September 14 when Las Vegas faces the Fresno FC Foxes, who are currently second place in USL Championship’s Western Conference.

Tickets for all remaining Lights FC home matches are available at LightsFC.com/Tix or by calling 702-728-GOAL.

HERRIMAN, UT – Lights FC put themselves in a great position to obtain a road win against one of the toughest home teams in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, with less than a minute left in the added time of the second half, a shot from Real Monarchs captain Jack Blake found its way to the back of the net to cut Lights FC’s chances to get the victory. Instead Lights FC head back to Sin City with a 2-2 draw.

“Despite the result, the fight that we demonstrated tonight was amazing,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “We’re gutted that we didn’t get the 3 points tonight because we deserved it. There’s still a lot of positives to get out of this game. It’s the first time this season we have consecutive road matches without a loss and we’re one point closer to a spot in the playoffs.”

Despite playing against a team with three players from MLS side Real Salt Lake in their lineup, Lights FC put a high press on Real Monarchs in the match that ended up paying off. A steal in the final third of the pitch allowed Junior Sandoval to lob a pass to Christian Torres, who struck the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Putna with a left-footed kick inside the box, opening the score for Las Vegas in the ninth minute.

“We’re forcing the opposition to go against a very organized high press,” stated Wynalda. “That’s when people can see that this team is getting better each game when you’re forcing mistakes from good players and it’s reflected by taking the lead”.

After exchanging chances, the home side got a golden opportunity to level the score when the referee called a handball in the box on Las Vegas defender Gabe Robinson. This gave Real Monarchs a penalty kick that Jack Blake capitalized in the 41st minute to send the teams with a 1-1 tie into the halftime break.

Lights FC reinforced their midfield with a pair of substitutions, first with Mobi Fehr at halftime and 13 minutes later with Victor Rojas replacing Cristian Martinez and Panzani Sousa, respectively. This was Fehr’s return to action after being out for over a month with a lower-body injury.

Las Vegas conceded the possession of the ball to the Monarchs, who created opportunities to take the lead, but goalkeeper Adam Hobbs accumulated five saves to tie the season-high for Lights FC’s goalies.

“These last two games afforded Hobbs the opportunity to get minutes with the team,” said Wynalda. “He earned the respect of everybody in our locker room, I needed to be sure that Hobbs is available and I’m so proud of his performance because he delivered on all levels.”

With Real Monarchs pushing their lines aggressively, the Lights took advantage of a counterattack off of a long throw-in by the home side. Javan Torre set up Tabort Etaka Preston for a 50-yard run to the opposing goal, where he ended up in a one-on-one opportunity against Andrew Putna, winning the battle by scoring his fifth goal of the year to give Las Vegas the lead in the 81st minute.

But the match doesn’t end until the referee indicates it, and Real Monarchs capitalized on six minutes of added time being tacked on to the second half. After not being successful in their first three attempts in stoppage time, the fourth time was the one where they finally broke the Las Vegas defense. Kalen Ryden set up Jack Blake in the box, taking a shot that got through five players to tie the game and leave the final score at 2-2. 

After playing five out of their last six matches on the road, Las Vegas returns to Cashman Field for a three-game homestand that kicks off by hosting El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, September 7 for Helicopter Drop 2.0 night. Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in ‘Plaza Bucks’ from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

Four days later, Lights FC will face league-leadingPhoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, September 11. This match is USL’s “ESPN Game of the Week” to be streamed on ESPN3. The homestand will conclude on Saturday, September 14 when Las Vegas faces the Fresno FC Foxes, who are currently second place in USL Championship’s Western Conference.

Tickets for all remaining Lights FC home matches are available at LightsFC.com/Tix or by calling 702-728-GOAL.

Las Vegas, NV — Lights FC have nine games remaining in the 2019 USL Championship regular season, with four of them being played in an eleven-day stretch that kicks off Wednesday as Las Vegas visits Real Monarchs SLC in Herriman, Utah.

“This is probably one of the most critical moments in our season,” said Lights FC defender Panzani Sousa. “Everyone has to be engaged day in and day out and take care of their bodies even more because there’s a short amount of time to rest. We have to get back and recover as fast as we can.

Sousa got his first regular-season start of the year on the road last week in Lights FC’s 1-1 draw against Tulsa. His performance earning praise by head coach Eric Wynalda. Just like Sosua, other players might receive these kinds of opportunities with the heavy schedule in the first two weeks of September.

“We have players who will be able to help us. Guys that will contribute a lot coming off the bench or guys getting a shot in the lineup,” stated midfielder Junior Sandoval. “We hope everyone takes advantage of any chance they can because we need the results”.

Sandoval is slated to return to action after missing the last two Lights FC matches. First against Portland Timbers 2 due to yellow card accumulation, and afterward versus Tulsa Roughnecks FC for personal reasons.

“I’m anxious to get back onto the field and be able to help my teammates,” said Sandoval. “We know it will be a really difficult game against Real Monarchs, they will have a slight advantage because it’s on artificial turf, but at the end of the day we’re going in full force and I think we can get a positive result out of this match”.

WEDNESDAY’S OPPONENT: REAL MONARCHS SLC

After losing back-to-back home games in May against Fresno FC and Phoenix Rising, the Monarchs are undefeated in their last six matches at Zions Bank Stadium, including five wins. They have racked up seven victories and two draws in their last eleven matches, improving to sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Jamison Olave took over as interim head coach with Real Monarchs after Martin Vasquez resigned as the team’s manager on July 1st. Under Olave’s management, the Monarchs have a record of 4 wins, 3 draws, and 2 defeats.

Over the last ten games, David Ochoa and Andrew Putna have split the starts as Real Monarchs’ goalkeeper. In 2018 Ochoa became the second-youngest goalie to debut in USL history. In November he got signed to a homegrown talent contract by MLS side Real Salt Lake.

Honduran striker Douglas Martinez leads the team with eleven goals this season. He recorded the first-ever hat trick in Real Monarchs history on July 12th against Tacoma Defiance. Cuban midfielder Mikael Chang follows closely with 9 scores in the 2019 season.

LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO WEDNESDAY’S MATCH:

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is tied for third-best in USL Championship with nine clean sheets, which is triple the times (3) Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. Olsen became the eighth goalkeeper in USL Championship’s Western Conference to have at least 9 clean sheets in a season since 2017 (regular season only).

Thomas Olsen tied his season-high with five saves against Portland Timbers 2. His performance earned him his second USL Championship Team of the Week selection. “TKO” is tied for fifth-best in the league with 63 saves.

DEFENSIVE SCORING

Twenty five games through the 2019 season, Lights FC hasn’t only relied on their strikers and offensive midfielders to find the back of the net, defenders have also delivered by getting goals for Eric Wynalda’s side.

Javan Torre scored his fourth goal of the year with a header off a corner kick against Tulsa. Defenders Gabe Robinson (3) and Christian Torres (1) have also scored for the Lights this season. The 8 goals Lights FC defenders have so far this year surpass the 6 that Las Vegas had in 2018 (4 by Joel Huiqui and 2 by Miguel Garduño).

SOUSA RELISHES OPPORTUNITY

After playing in a total of seven official matches for Lights FC, Panzani “Ferrety” Sousa got his first opportunity to be on the team’s Starting XI against Tulsa last Wednesday and he delivered.

Being on the pitch for 79 minutes before being subbed out, Sousa was key for Lights FC’s efforts both offensively and defensively in a 1-1 road draw, and Las Vegas manager Eric Wynalda raved about Sousa’s performance. “He has worked so hard to get into the lineup, he defines the kind of player that I want on this team. He has that desire in him, he never gives up, and goes all the way until the end,” said Wynalda about the Togo native.

IRVIN RAUL PARRA

With his diving header game-winning goal against RGV FC, Parra reached 10 goals in the 2019 season, becoming the second Lights FC player with double-digit goals in a single season while being the fastest one to do so in only 18 games. The Inglewood native is currently ranked seventh-best in goals scored in USL Championship’s Western Conference.

He is now tied with Sammy Ochoa and Raul Mendiola as the leading scorers in franchise history with 10 each. Irvin Raul Parra currently leads Las Vegas not only in goals (10) but also in assists with five. With his next goal or assist, he’ll surpass Sammy Ochoa’s combined goals + assists from 2018, which led the team in its inaugural season.

“CHEPE” SCORES

MLS veteran Jose Villarreal joined Lights FC as a free agent late in May, and since then he has been featured by Las Vegas in its attack. After providing a pair of assists, “Chepe” scored his first goal with a tap-in against Portland Timbers 2 on August 24th. He became the 14th player to put the ball in the back of the net for Las Vegas in the 2019 USL Championship season.

WELCOME BACK CAPTAIN

Slated to be a key component in Eric Wynalda’s Starting XI with Las Vegas, Bryan De La Fuente suffered an ACL tear in Lights FC’s final MLS Soccer Spring Training match back in February.

After working hard on his recovery for six months, De La Fuente was cleared to play after training for three weeks full force with his squad. He made his 2019 USL Championship debut by being subbed in the 71st minute. Four days later he was a halftime substitution against Tulsa Roughnecks FC, playing the full second half of the match.

INJURY REPORT

Mobi Fehr – QUESTIONABLE – Lower Body Injury
Vinnie Vermeer – QUESTIONABLE – Upper Body Injury

Jose Villarreal – OUT – Lower Body Injury

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC @ REAL MONARCHS:

Las Vegas Lights FC fans will be able to follow-up along with every match of the 2019 USL Championship season via national & local media outlets.

Wednesday’s game (6:00 p.m. kickoff) will be streamed on ESPN+, with the Spanish-language radio broadcast with Alvaro Puentes & Alejandro Romo on the call available on ESPN Deportes 1460 AM & online on LVSportsNetwork.com.

TULSA, OK – Lights FC traveled to Tulsa with the objective of getting closer to a playoff spot in USL Championship’s Western Conference, and they succeeded. After a 1-1 draw, Las Vegas is now only 2 points away from the tenth and final place in the West that gives a ticket to the postseason.

Las Vegas had a total of 5 changes in its Starting XI compared to the lineup used four days ago at home, including goalkeeper Adam Hobbs’ debut with the team and the first starts with Lights FC for Cristian Martinez and Panzani Sousa.

Even though the Lights conceded the possession of the ball for the majority of the first half, it was Las Vegas who had the most shots (4) and shots on target (1) before the halftime break.

Lights FC captain Bryan De La Fuente was the first player to be subbed into the match, with the team immediately feeling his presence on the pitch. He replaced Jesus Gonzalez at halftime, who was playing with a yellow card after being booked in the first half.

“When our captain was on the field we became a better team because we played a smarter, more intelligent brand of soccer,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “It’s a constant reminder of how much pain and suffering this team has had to go through without its captain. He really is a difference-maker for us.”

The match opened up for both sides after Las Vegas opened the second half being more aggressive towards their opponents half of the field, paying off by opening the score in the 62nd minute. Tabort Etaka Preston struck a corner kick into the 6-yard box to Javan Torre, who hammered a header to get the ball past the final line to open the score with his fourth goal this season.

But Tulsa seven minutes later equalized the scoreboard after a long throw-in by Luca Lobo wasn’t cleared in the box and fell in front of Tobenna Uzon who punted it into the back of the net.

Lights FC’s final substitution was one done to replace a player who was hurt on the field. Panzani Sousa, who made his first start with Las Vegas in this match, was cramping and the coaching staff decided to replace him with Vinnie Vermeer. Wynalda praised Sousa for his performance on the pitch. “He has worked so hard to get into the team, he defines the kind of player that I want on this team. He has that desire in him, he never gives up, and goes all the way until the end. Hopefully, he was just cramping and it’s not a pull, because that’s the kind of player that I like.”

Unfortunately, less than a minute after entering the game Vermeer was fouled on a hard challenge. After getting run over by Panin Boakye-Mensa, the Tulsa player landed on top of his shoulder. Even though he returned to the field, he didn’t do so at 100% of his capabilities.

“We had an unfortunate issue with Vinnie, who injured his shoulder and was unable to be very helpful because he was playing hurt,” stated Wynalda. “We practically played with 10 men at the end.  We had to shut it down and get the tie.”

The 1-1 draw leaves Las Vegas only two points away from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and five points away from fourth place in what is sure to be a tight fight to make it to the postseason. Seven of Lights FC’s nine remaining regular-season games are against teams who are currently in a playoff spot.

Lights FC has one more match on the road before returning to Las Vegas for a three-game homestand. On Wednesday, September 4th they will visit Real Monarchs, who currently sit in sixth place 4 points ahead of the Lights.

Lights FC’s homestand kicks off in less than two weeks, where they will play three games in 8 days at Cashman Field. Las Vegas will start it by hosting El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, September 7 for Helicopter Drop 2.0 night. Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in prizes from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

Tickets can be purchased at LightsFC.com/Tix, at any La Bonita Supermarket in Las Vegas, or by calling 702-728-GOAL.

Las Vegas, NV — Even though the USL playoffs don’t begin until October 23rd, for Lights FC every game from now has a postseason-feel. Currently sitting three points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Las Vegas still has their destiny in their hands as the teams who are currently tied for tenth place have played one more match than the Lights. That’s why this road battle on a short week against Tulsa is key.

“They have some clever players in the midfield, some speed on the edges, certainly an experienced enough back-line that is strong in the air,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “They had a great start of the season, leading the league in almost all categories. They kind of fell off after that and stopped having the confidence, so they were unable to get some results. This is a team that you have to be really careful with, they’re tactically sound and disciplined.”

Lights FC midfielder Jonathan Levin is coming off of his second full-game of the 2019 season, with Las Vegas winning both of those matches. The former Roughnecks FC player wants to follow that performance with another win for his team.

“It was a very important victory for us, we needed those 3 points to stay in playoff contention and to earn more confidence as a team”, stated Levin. “We face every game with the seriousness that it deserves, we’re going to leave everything on the pitch at Tulsa because we want to return to Vegas with a win.”

Eric Wynalda has most of his roster available for this quick turnaround after Saturday’s win, with Mobi Fehr being the only player out with a lower-body injury. This will be the first road match in the 2019 season where Lights FC will have their team captain Bryan De La Fuente on the matchday roster. Against Portland this past Saturday, De La Fuente made his return from an ACL tear he suffered in preseason action against Colorado Rapids in February.

“I’m blessed to be able to come back and play the sport I love and play for the team that I love,” said De La Fuente. “I feel like now that I’m back I can help my teammates more because I’m playing. So I’m really excited about what’s coming up next.”

WEDNESDAY’S OPPONENT: TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC

Tulsa is returning home for the first time in a month after playing three straight games on the road, all against teams in playoff position in the Western Conference. The Roughnecks salvaged a point against OKC Energy FC with a 1-1 tie but were defeated by Real Monarchs and Austin Bold.

Michael Nsien received the vote of confidence from the Roughnecks front office when he was appointed the interim head coach when the team was winless midway through the 2018 season. Despite finishing last place in USL Championship’s Western Conference, Nsien was announced as the team’s permanent manager in December 2018. He has surpassed the number of wins the team had last season and is two points away from matching the team total from last year.

Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Da Costa leads Tulsa with eight goals scored. His countryman Luca Lobo has 7 goals, all of them off of set pieces where they’ve taken advantage of his height (6’5″).

Goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, on loan from MLS side Orlando City SC, has seen the majority of playing time in goal for Tulsa. Stajduhar has 45 saves and has conceded 32 goals in the 15 matches he has played for the Roughnecks.

LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO WEDNESDAY’S MATCH:

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is tied for third-best in USL Championship with nine clean sheets, which is triple the times (3) Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. Olsen became the eighth goalkeeper in USL Championship’s Western Conference to have at least 9 clean sheets in a season since 2017 (regular season only).

Thomas Olsen tied his season-high with five saves against Portland Timbers 2, with his performance earned him his second USL Championship Team of the Week selection. “TKO” is tied for third-best in the league with 63 saves.

THE INGLEWOOD CONNECTION

Irvin Raul Parra and Jose Villarreal were born in the same hospital, only 23 days apart. They’ve been friends since they were kids in Inglewood, shared the same soccer fields in Southern California, and both made their pro debuts in 2012. But their career paths had Irvin doing so in Germany, while Jose did it with MLS side L.A. Galaxy.

Fast forward their careers seven years and both are once again on the same pitch, but this time as teammates with Lights FC. Their first connection in a game happened on July 27th, when a cross by Villarreal was capitalized with a diving header by Parra that ended up being the game-winning goal for Las Vegas 2-1 against RGV FC. A month later, Parra returned the favor by serving an assist on Villarreal’s first goal with Lights FC, which was his team’s game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Timbers 2 on July 24th. “The Inglewood” connection has struck twice and it remains a threat for the teams they’re facing.

IRVIN RAUL PARRA

With his diving header game-winning goal against RGV FC, Parra reached 10 goals in the 2019 season, becoming the second Lights FC player with double-digit goals in a single season while being the fastest one to do so in only 18 games. The Inglewood native is currently ranked seventh-best in goals scored in USL Championship’s Western Conference.

He is now tied with Sammy Ochoa and Raul Mendiola as the leading scorers in franchise history with 10 each. Irvin Raul Parra currently leads Las Vegas not only in goals (10) but also in assists with five. With his next goal or assist, he’ll surpass Sammy Ochoa’s combined goals + assists from 2018, which led the team in its inaugural season.

“CHEPE” SCORES

MLS veteran Jose Villarreal joined Lights FC as a free agent late in May, and since then he has been featured by Las Vegas in its attack. After providing a pair of assists, “Chepe” scored his first goal with a tap-in against Portland Timbers 2 on August 24th. He became the 14th player to put the ball in the back of the net for Las Vegas in the 2019 USL Championship season.

WELCOME BACK CAPTAIN

Slated to be a key component in Eric Wynalda’s Starting XI with Las Vegas, Bryan De La Fuente suffered an ACL tear in Lights FC’s final MLS Soccer Spring Training match back in February.

After working hard on his recovery for six months, De La Fuente was cleared to play after training for three weeks full force with his squad. He made his 2019 USL Championship debut by being subbed in the 71st minute.

FITOMANIA

Lights FC struck a loan deal with LAFC to add Rodolfo Zelaya to its roster. Zelaya is one of the most decorated players in El Salvador soccer history, earning 44 caps with his national team where his 21 goals have him trailing only Raúl Díaz Arce as his country’s top goalscorer. He played vital roles for El Salvador in the 2011 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cups, where he scored 4 goals in each.

In his two matches with Lights FC, Zelaya has been on the field for 138 minutes. He has played 20 more minutes with Las Vegas (in 8 days) than he has with LAFC since the 2019 MLS season kicked off. In both games (against OCSC and Timbers 2), “Fito” has led Las Vegas in shots taken and shots on target.

GABE ROBINSON

Lights FC’s defender Gabe Robinson has been selected twice as part of USL Championship’s Team of the Week. His 121 clearances are third-best in the league, on Wednesday he’ll be facing one of the two players ahead of him: Tulsa’s Cyprian Hedrick who has 124 clearances.

MARTINEZ DEBUTS

Less than a day after arriving in Las Vegas after being loaned out from Chicago Fire, Panamanian midfielder Cristian Martinez made his debut with Lights FC by being used as a substitute against Portland, where he logged a total of 33 minutes.

UNAVAILABLE REPORT

Mobi Fehr – OUT – Lower Body Injury

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC @ TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC:

Las Vegas Lights FC fans will be able to follow-up along with every match of the 2019 USL Championship season via national & local media outlets.

Wednesday’s game (5:30 p.m. kickoff) will be streamed on ESPN+, with the Spanish-language radio broadcast with Alvaro Puentes & Alejandro Romo on the call available on ESPN Deportes 1460 AM & online on LVSportsNetwork.com.

MORE LIGHTS FC NEWS

MORE NEWS

LAS VEGAS, NV – “The playoffs begin for us NOW. This is a MUST WIN game”, said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda in the week leading up to their matchup against Portland Timbers 2. Fighting to jump into a playoff spot, Las Vegas went out to the pitch with a clear offensive mentality by including five players who are nominally strikers in their starting lineup.

That focus on attack left spaces in the back, but Lights FC’s goalkeeper Thomas Olsen put the team on his back by racking up five saves in the first half, including a pair in the first nine minutes of the match.

While it seemed that the halftime score would be a knotted up scoreless tie, the ‘Inglewood Connection’ of Irvin Raul Parra and Jose Villarreal delivered for Las Vegas. After a long cross from Tabort Etaka Preston, Parra knocked the ball down with a header and left it in the 6-yard box for Villarreal who simply kicked it to the back of the net with the goalkeeper out of position. This was “Chepe” Villarreal’s first goal as a member of Lights FC.

“Irvin knows where I’m going to make a run to and he put the ball in the perfect spot,” stated Villarreal on the play that gave Las Vegas the lead. “We’re just finding each other’s feet, and we’re going to score a lot of goals here for sure.”

Lights FC made their first substitution of the game twelve minutes into the second half by bringing in newcomer Cristian Martinez, a midfielder who is on loan via MLS side Chicago Fire. He replaced Rodolfo Zelaya, who in only eight days has now played in a total of 138 minutes for Las Vegas. That’s 20 minutes more than what he has played with LAFC in the 2019 MLS season.

Substitutions ended up being a big story in this match for Lights FC, as team captain Bryan De La Fuente ended up making his 2019 USL Championship debut by coming in for Irvin Raul Parra in the 71st minute of the match. Parra took the captain armband off to put it around De La Fuente’s arm, and after a big hug, the captain was back. He ended up officially logging in 19 minutes of play, but including added time he was on the field for a total of 25 minutes.

“Our captain has worked harder than any other player I’ve seen coming back from that injury, it’s torn him up inside having to be out because of it,” said Wynalda on De La Fuente. “He has been an inspiration to all of us. It was a tough game to throw him into, but if I didn’t trust him I wouldn’t have done it to him. I don’t think we would have won the game without him, or without his leadership. Him being the man that he is, he pulled through for us.”

De La Fuente was important, but for Las Vegas so was having lady luck on their side. In a 30-second span, Portland had two shots inches away from leveling the scoreboard. First with Giovani Calixtro’s strike being deflected by Javan Torre which sent the ball hitting the crossbar. And the second, a Ryan Sierakowski’s shot that bounced off Thomas Olsen’s right post.

“We need that sometimes, that’s how football works,” said Olsen. “You need some bounces to go your way and then you score. We’ll take this win all day!”

The 1-0 victory put Las Vegas only 3 points out of the final postseason spot in USL Championship’s Western Conference, with Orange County S.C. and L.A. Galaxy II currently tied for it with 33 points. Las Vegas has a game in hand against both teams.

“Massive, it was a massive three points,” stated Wynalda. “There was a good chance it was going to be ugly, Portland is a very good team. Dairon has scored seven goals in seven games and this is the first time we got a chance to shut him out or anybody has shut him out, so we feel good about that. It was one of those games where we had to scrap through it, it wasn’t pretty but three points is massive right now.”

Lights FC’s next two matches will be on the road, with midweek duels against Tulsa Roughnecks on Wednesday, August 28, and versus Real Monarchs on Wednesday, September 4.

Las Vegas will then return home for their next three games, which will be played in an 8-day span. The homestand kicks off on Saturday, September 7 by hosting El Paso Locomotive FC on Helicopter Drop 2.0 night. Doubling in size from last year’s enormously successful event, the Helicopter Cash Drop returns with more prizes and gifts, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in prizes from the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Entry will be limited to 200 participants aged 21 & over.

Tickets can be purchased at LightsFC.com/Tix, at any La Bonita Supermarket in Las Vegas, or by calling 702-728-GOAL.

Las Vegas, NV — After completing a three-game California road trip, Lights FC finally returns home. Las Vegas will play their only match at Cashman Field in the month of August by hosting Portland Timbers II on Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 p.m. In their first meeting this season, Las Vegas was defeated on the road 3-1 by Portland back in March.

“Different team, different part of the season,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “I think it was so far in the past we won’t even look at it as what to expect from Portland, whose coming off of a 4-2 loss at home to OKC. We watched that game, we watched the game previous to that and they have some very talented players. But whoever they put on the field, it’s going to be a long day for them.”

Cashman Field has been Lights FC’s safe haven, losing only one match on their home pitch in the 2019 USL Championship season, outscoring their opponents 23 to 8 in a total of 11 matches.

“This is a must-win game and the energy needs to be there,” stated Wynalda. “We know that our fans will be there for us, and because of them, we play so much better at Cashman. Our focus is clearly on getting 3 points, a good result, and looking into the next game after this one is over.”

This match will mark the return to the field of two of Lights FC’s offensive weapons: leading scorer Irvin Raul Parra and speedster Tabort Etaka Preston. Both were uneligible to play against Orange County SC due to yellow card accumulation. Lights FC team captain Bryan De La Fuente will be available to make his regular-season debut with the team. This will be the first time De La Fuente will be on the gameday roster after recovering from an ACL tear he suffered six months ago in a preseason match against MLS side Colorado Rapids.

“I’m excited to be back and try to help the team in the last part of the season,” said Bryan De La Fuente. “It has been three weeks that I’ve been with the team full time with no restrictions at practice and I’ve felt pretty good. Now it’s a matter of getting playing time and fitness. You can’t get just cleared and go right into playing. You have to get used to the space and contact again. So playing with my teammates and friendly games here and there is helping me get ready for when the coach wants me to play.”

Rodolfo Zelaya, second-highest goalscorer in El Salvador National Team history, has been confirmed to be a part of Lights FC’s gameday roster against Portland Timbers II. ‘Fito’ played his first game for Las Vegas on the road against Orange County SC, playing 81 minutes as a starter where he led the team with 3 shots taken and 2 shots on target. That match marked the return of Canadian National Team veteran Dejan Jakovic to Lights FC, who was recalled by LAFC after being on loan with Las Vegas for three games in June.

“We put Dejan and Fito in a tough spot, coming in as starters without ever training with the team”, said Wynalda. “But both of their performances were pretty good and they’re great additions to help us with our playoffs push.”

SATURDAY’S OPPONENT: PORTLAND TIMBERS II

Portland Timbers II is currently tied for tenth place in USL Championship’s Western Conference with 32 points. This will be their second road game in five weeks, with their most recent one being a 2-2 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

In his first season coaching the team, manager Cameron Knowles led them to the 2018 USL playoffs where they lost 3-0 in the quarterfinals against eventual Western Conference champions Phoenix Rising.

Timbers II ranks as the fifth-best scoring offense in USL Championship with 45 goals, led by Colombia native Dairon Asprilla with 7 scores. Asprilla has only played with the team once in the last two months, as he is a member of MLS side Portland Timbers’ roster. T2 has a total of four more players with at least 5 goals this season: Foster Langsorf (6), Todd Wharton (5), Ryan Sierakowski (5), and Brayan Hurtado (5).

Jake Leeker is the most used goalkeeper by Portland, playing in a total of 12 games where he allowed 19 goals. But he hasn’t seen action since July 13 in a 1-0 road defeat against Sacramento. Slovenian goalie Alijaz Ivacic, who is part of MLS Portland Timbers 30-man Active Roster, allowed 8 goals as the starter for Timbers 2 in their last 3 matches.

Lights FC NOTES heading into saturday’s match

FITOMANIA

Lights FC struck a loan deal with LAFC to add Rodolfo Zelaya to its roster. Zelaya is one of the most decorated players in El Salvador soccer history, earning 44 caps with his national team where his 21 goals have him trailing only Raúl Díaz Arce as his country’s top goalscorer. He played vital roles for El Salvador in the 2011 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cups, where he scored 4 goals in each.

Winner of four championships in the Salvadoran first division with league titans Alianza FC, he scored a total of 126 goals in his time with the club. Zelaya springboarded from his native country to play in Mexico for Club Leon, in Russia with FC Alianza Vladikavkaz and eventually signing in January 2019 with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC. 

STRONG AT HOME

Lights FC is more than happy to return to Cashman Field for what will be their second home match in a two-month span. Las Vegas has shown their best football while playing in front of their fans, where in eleven games they have 6 wins, 4 draws, and only one loss. The Lights have outscored their opponents at Cashman by a combined 23 goals to 8.

Even though after Saturday night Las Vegas will have two consecutive matches on the road, Lights FC has a three-game homestand in the horizon with El Paso Locomotive FC visiting Cashman Field on Saturday, September 7 for Helicopter Money Drop 2.0 Night, defending Western Conference Champions Phoenix Rising FC will be in town on Wednesday, September 11 for Tribute to Local Heroes Night, and on Saturday, September 14 Lights FC will host Fresno FC on Hispanic Heritage Night.

IRVIN RAUL PARRA

With his diving header game-winning goal against RGV FC, Parra reached 10 goals in the 2019 season, becoming the second Lights FC player with double-digit goals in a single season while being the fastest one to do so in only 18 games. The Inglewood native is currently ranked sixth-best in goals scored in USL Championship’s Western Conference.

He is now tied with Sammy Ochoa and Raul Mendiola as the leading scorers in franchise history with 10 each. Irvin Raul Parra currently leads Las Vegas not only in goals (10) but also in assists with four. With his next goal or assist, he’ll tie Sammy Ochoa’s combined goals + assists from 2018, which led the team in its inaugural season.

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is fifth-best in USL Championship with eight clean sheets, which is almost triple the times (3) Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. TKO’s 63 saves are the sixth-best in the Western Conference.

Olsen is the only Lights FC player to have played every minute in USL Championship action this season with 23 full games under his belt in 2019.

THE CAPTAIN IS BACK

Slated to be a key component in Eric Wynalda’s Starting XI with Las Vegas, Bryan De La Fuente suffered an ACL tear in Lights FC’s final MLS Soccer Spring Training match back in February.

After working hard on his recovery for six months, De La Fuente has been cleared to play after training for three weeks full force with his squad. This game marks the first time that he won’t be a part of the UMC Injury Report.

SUPPORTERS WEEK

The United Soccer League and COPA90 teamed up to introduce the inaugural edition of “Supporters Week”, a seven-day celebration of the communities and fanbases across the USL Championship from Saturday, August 17 through Saturday, August 24.

Lights FC received the opportunity to pick the nickname that Thomas Olsen will wear in the back of his jersey against Portland Timbers II, with “TKO” winning the poll with 54% of the votes, surpassing “Mayor of Cashman” with 39%, and “Tommy” with 7%.

UNAVAILABLE REPORT

Junior Sandoval – OUT – Suspension (Yellow Card Accumulation)
Mobi Fehr – OUT – Lower Body Injury

HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS II:

** The “Summer of Soccer” delivered by Zappos ends this Saturday at Cashman Field, featuring the lowest-priced tickets in club history! Tickets for this game start at only $10 courtesy of the Terrible Herbst’s Ten Buck Tixs, giving everyone in the Valley the opportunity to enjoy Lights FC pro soccer in Downtown Las Vegas.

** Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m., start time for all Lights FC home regular-season matches in 2019. For on-site ticket purchase at Cashman Field, both the box office and will call open at 2:00 p.m. on gameday. Tickets are available at LightsFC.com/Tix and at every La Bonita Supermarket in Las Vegas.

** The Zappos Tailgate Party begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Cashman Field plaza, where fans can enjoy beer specials, tailgate games for adults and kids, music, the Zappos llamas Dottie and Dollie, Lights FC merchandise, and much more.

** The Pitchside Pool Party will keep rolling in the two weekend home matches Lights FC has in September (9/7 vs El Paso, 9/14 vs Fresno). It features multiple “swimming pools” located pitchside to bring fans as close to the action as possible. Each pool rental is priced at $50 and can be reserved at LightsFC.com/PoolParty, calling 702-728-GOAL or by visiting the Lights FC Guest Services Booth at Cashman Field on match days.

** Fans in attendance over the age of 21 will have the opportunity to take advantage of new drink specials during the Summer of Soccer. Specially priced $2 Los Altos Tequila shots and $5 Waldo’s will be available at all Cashman Field bars. Invented by Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda, a “Waldo” features any flavor of Jarritos (Wynalda’s preference is Mandarina & Toronja) and Los Altos Tequila.

** The party doesn’t stop at the end of the action on the pitch. After every Lights FC home match, Two Roots Brewing, and Zappos will host the “Happier Hour” post-game party at Cashman Field’s Club Level Restaurant. Team players and manager Eric Wynalda will make an appearance at the party that is open to fans of all ages that are in attendance at Cashman Field.

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN TO LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS II:

Las Vegas Lights FC fans will be able to follow-up along with every match of the 2019 USL Championship season via national & local media outlets.

Saturday’s game (7:30 p.m. kickoff) will be aired locally on MyLVTV with broadcasters Jeff Radcliffe and Devon Kerr announcing the action.

The match will also be aired on ESPN+, while the Spanish-language radio broadcast with Alvaro Puentes & Alejandro Romo on the call can be listened at ESPN Deportes 1460 AM & online on LVSportsNetwork.com.