NEWS

LIGHTS FC STUN NEW MEXICO UNITED WITH A DOMINANT 5-1 WIN

LAS VEGAS, NV – Lights FC showed how big their home pitch advantage is in USL Championship games, smashing Western Conference leaders New Mexico United 5-1 in front of 7,882 roaring fans at Cashman Field.

Without leading scorer Irvin Parra, Las Vegas resorted to a collective approach with all players pitching in their best to find the back of the net. After a back and forth beginning of the match that saw both teams create good opportunities, it was Javan Torre who opened the scoring. In the 32nd minute, Torre controlled a long clearance by New Mexico, advanced 15 yards to unleash a powerful strike outside the box that went past goalkeeper Cody Mizell.

“I took the ball out of the air, brought it down onto my right foot to try to go up to the middle, and put it back outside my hips on my left, where I feel more confident,” said Javan Torre on the play that concluded in his USL Championship goal of the week contender. “And then I just did what I do in practice, I took a chance and today it paid off”.

6 minutes later, Cristhian Hernandez got tripped by Rashid Tetteh inside the box with referee Farhad Dadkho calling a foul to give Lights FC a golden opportunity to extend their lead with a penalty kick. Hernandez’s shot was blocked by Mizell, but on the rebound “Tripa” was able to redeem himself by scoring his first goal with Las Vegas to give the team a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Lights FC came out of the locker room with an explosive mindset in the second half, with Tabort Etaka Preston taking advantage of a New Mexico turnover in the center circle in the 47th minute. The Cameroon native rushed his way just outside of the box, from where he fired a shot between two players that Cody Mizell just watched go to his right with no chance at stopping it to put Las Vegas up 3-0.

“This is something I’ve been working hard for,” said Preston. “I work hard every week, trying to gain more confidence and make sure I make the first team so I can help in any way that I can”.

New Mexico didn’t go back home without giving their traveling fans a goal celebration. Kevaughn Frater serving a corner kick to the near post, where Danny Estrada’s header cut the possibility of a Thomas Olsen clean sheet.

But, the game was far from over, with two of the three players that were subbed into the game for Lights FC making this game a knockout for Las Vegas over New Mexico United. Similar to the heavyweight boxing championship upset from Andy Ruiz Jr. over heavy favorite Anthony Joshua.

On a breakaway, Junior Sandoval found an open Edwin Rivas who took advantage of the one on one opportunity against Mizell to get his first regular-season score with Las Vegas in the 90th minute. In added time, it was Sandoval’s defensive pressure that got him a steal and he chipped it over United’s goalkeeper to seal the final score at 5-1 for Las Vegas.

“It shows us just a small glimpse of what our potential is,” stated Javan Torre. “But again, it’s something that we have to do day in and day out. One win, it’s great for the morale but we have to continue to build on it and show our professionalism in the coming weeks”.

For the second consecutive week, Lights FC will face a team that has the lead in points in USL Championship’s Western Conference. On Saturday, June 22, Las Vegas will visit El Paso Locomotive, who took advantage of New Mexico’s loss to jump over them in the standings and is now tied for first place with Phoenix Rising.

Afterward, Lights FC will return to Cashman Field for a two-game homestand where they’ll host OKC Energy FC and LA Galaxy II on Saturday, June 29 and Thursday, July 4, respectively. The Summer of Soccer delivered by Zappos continues with these matches, where tickets start off at just $10 thanks to the Terrible’s Herbst Ten Buck Tixs that can be purchased at LightsFC.com/Tix and by calling 702-728-GOAL.

MATCH PREVIEW VS. NEW MEXICO UNITED

Las Vegas, NV – Lights FC continues the “Summer of Soccer” delivered by Zappos with a matchup against New Mexico United. This game represents an opportunity for Las Vegas to show what they’re made of against the team that is currently in first place of USL Championship’s Western Conference.

“It means everything for us,” said Lights FC midfielder Mobi Fehr. “We’re playing at home and it’s time to prove ourselves that we can play and we can beat teams that are in the top half of the table. It’s a great opportunity for us for sure.”

Following recent results, Eric Wynalda promised changes on the team roster and it began with the inclusion of Canadian National Team veteran Dejan Jakovic, who arrived via a loan from MLS side LAFC. Jakovic made his debut last week with Las Vegas in its 1-1 draw against Orange County SC.

“Dejan has had enough time to really figure out his surroundings, he knows what’s to the right of him and to the left of him now,” stated Wynalda. “It’s difficult to come into the team on Thursday and then jump right into the starting lineup and play as well as he did on Saturday, I’m really happy with that.”

Lights FC players have a sense of urgency with the season almost being halfway through, especially with how results haven’t come as of late. Making this match against New Mexico an even more important one.

“We all want to show the whole league that we can play because we have a lot of talent here,” said Lights FC midfielder Junior Sandoval. “There are experienced guys, players with talent that are growing as pros and all we have to do is keep improving, the results will come and I think we can get the best out of New Mexico.”

SATURDAY’S OPPONENT: NEW MEXICO UNITED

New Mexico United is one of seven expansion franchises that made their debut in the 2019 USL Championship season, where they’re currently in the top of the Western Conference standings with 25 points. Their match in Las Vegas is their second of a six-game road trip, which began on Wednesday night when they upset MLS side Colorado Rapids in penalty kicks during the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup after finishing regulation and extra time tied 2-2.

United’s Troy Lesesne was voted the USL Championship’s Coach of the Month for May after leading the club to an undefeated month that saw his team win three of its four regular-season games. This is his first job as a head coach after being an assistant with USL squads Charleston Battery and Charlotte Independence.

Kevaughn Frater leads the league with 10 goals, followed closely by his teammate Santi Moar who has scored nine times this year. The 19 combined goals between Frater and Moar match or surpass the number of goals scored by 20 of the other 35 teams in USL Championship besides New Mexico, who is tied with Phoenix Rising for the highest scoring offense in the league with 31 goals.

Cody Mizell has been the starting goalkeeper for New Mexico in each of its games this year, leading the Western Conference by racking up 46 saves. He comes into Cashman Field riding the high of defeating a MLS team in penalty kicks on Wednesday night in Colorado.

LIGHTS FC NOTES HEADING INTO SATURDAY’S MATCH:

HOME DOMINANCE

Lights FC didn’t get their fourth league win at home until their ninth match at Cashman Field in 2018, this year it only took them 5 games to get to that mark. Las Vegas surpassed their longest undefeated streak at Cashman Field from their inaugural year with 7 consecutive USL Championship games without losing at home in 2019.

Las Vegas is one of three Western Conference teams in USL Championship that remain undefeated at home in 2019. Lights FC has the highest efficiency in the West while playing at their stadium with a record of 4 wins, 3 draws and no losses (71.4% efficiency).

THOMAS OLSEN

The Las Vegas-born & raised goalkeeper is tied for second-best in USL Championship with six clean sheets, which is two more than the number of times Lights FC shutout their opponents in a total of 38 games in 2018. ‘TKO’ hasn’t allowed a goal in five of the seven regular-season matches that Las Vegas has hosted in the 2019 season.

Olsen has had streaks of 368 and 180 minutes without conceding a goal at Cashman Field this year.

DEJAN JAKOVIC

Having 41 caps with the Canadian National Team and more than 100 Major League Soccer appearances, Dejan Jakovic brings experience and leadership to Lights FC’s defensive line. He arrived in Las Vegas via a loan from MLS side Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

Dejan made his debut with Lights FC on June 8 against Orange County SC, 2 days after joining the team’s practice sessions. Jakovic was a starter and played the full 90 minutes.

JOSE VILLARREAL

He’s only 25 years old, but Jose Villarreal is an MLS veteran as he made his debut with L.A. Galaxy in July 2012. He signed a Homegrown Player contract with Los Angeles, winning the MLS Cup title twice in his time with them.

Villarreal was traded to Orlando City for the 2018 season and signed with Lights FC as a free agent in the final week of May. Less than 48 hours after his first practice with Las Vegas, “Chepe” made his debut with the team in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where he was used as a substitute and he served an assist against Orange County FC. He has played in both USL Championship matches since, as a starter on the road against Reno and as a substitute at home against Orange County SC.

UNAVAILABLE REPORT

Irvin Parra – OUT – Suspension
Sammy Ochoa – Excused Absence
Bryan de la Fuente – OUT – Lower Body Injury

HERE IS EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S MATCH VS. NEW MEXICO UNITED:

** The “Summer of Soccer” delivered by Zappos continues at Cashman Field, featuring the lowest priced tickets in club history! Tickets for the next 5 home matches up to August 24 starting 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 atLightsFC.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 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.

** 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. NEW MEXICO UNITED:

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.ï»¿

LIGHTS FC HEAD COACH ERIC WYNALDA UNVEILS NEW "IT" SUMMER REFRESHMENT DRINK — $5 "WALDO'S" FEATURING JARRITOS & TEQUILA

Las Vegas (NV) — Move over Arnold Palmer, there’s a new American sporting hero that has a drink named after him. Introducing for the first time ever, the “Waldo” featuring a refreshing mix of Jarritos flavored cola & tequila. First invented by Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda when he inadvertently mixed the two liquids at a recent team event and discovered its amazing new taste.

“Seriously, so good!,” said Wynalda. “Ever since I first made it I can’t stop drinking it. I’ve been telling the staff how good it is. I’m ecstatic it’s now gonna be shared with the fans at our games.”

Featuring any flavor of Jarritos — Wynalda’s prefers the Mandarina (orange), followed by the Toronja (grapefruit) as a close second favorite — and Los Altos Tequila is what makes an official “Waldo.”

For only $5, the “Waldo” will be available at all Cashman Field bars during Lights FC home matches throughout the summer as part of the “Summer of Soccer” initiatives delivered by Zappos, including this Saturday when Las Vegas hosts USL Championship’s Western Conference leaders New Mexico United. Tickets start at just $10 and can be purchased at LightsFC.com/Tix, by calling 702-728-GOAL and at every La Bonita Supermarket in the Valley.

$1 BEER NIGHT? FORGET IT! LIGHTS FC ANNOUNCE $2 TEQUILA NIGHT!

Las Vegas (NV) — Cashman Field used to be the home of $1 Beer Nights. Now it’s the home of $2 Tequila Nights. Announced today by Lights FC, that as part of its “Summer of Soccer” initiatives delivered by Zappos, all upcoming Lights FC home matches at Cashman Field during the summer months will feature $2 tequila shots at all stadium bars.

The promotion was born when Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda commented online that USL Western Conference rival Phoenix Rising FC’s recent winning streak for hosting dollar beer nights wasn’t really his thing. He was quoted via USLChampionship.com as saying “I think what we need to do is $2 Tequila Night, so that might be something we run up the flagpole, see if it works. I’m a tequila fan!”

And, after taking the idea to Lights FC Owner & C.E.O. Brett Lashbrook, the $2 Tequila promotion was born!

“$1 Beers are a siesta, $2 Tequilas is a fiesta!” said Lashbrook. “Coach Wynalda is an expert on both soccer & tequila so this is a perfect match. Viva $2 Tequila!”

This is the latest unveiling of the “Summer of Soccer” initiatives delivered by Zappos, followed by these previous announcements all summer matches at Cashman Field:

* Terrible Herbst’s $10 Tickets Throughout the Stadium

* New “Swimming Pools” Located Along the Sidelines

*Partnering with Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame to co-provide donation of tickets to charities focused on local youth

Additional initiatives are planned to still be released.

LIGHTS FC START THE SUMMER OF SOCCER WITH A 1-1 DRAW AGAINST OCSC

LAS VEGAS, NV – Lights FC kicked off the Summer of Soccer at Cashman Field by protecting their undefeated home record in league play with a 1-1 draw against Orange County SC.

Las Vegas debuted a new formation with the inclusion of Canadian National Team member Dejan Jakovic, who arrived via loan from MLS side Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Having a five-man backline brought stability for Lights FC during the run of play by leaving Jakovic, Gabe Robinson and Christian Torres in a defensive position while Kevin Garcia Lopez and Javan Torre had the liberty to run the sidelines knowing their teammates had their backs.

With a new approach to the game, Eric Wynalda preached patience from his players to let the game evolve and wait for the perfect moment to strike, and that’s what happened in the 39th minute with a long pass from Javan Torre to Irvin Raul Parra. Parra took advantage of the visiting side waiting for an offsides call, and ran into the box and put the ball in the back of the net with a low shot to the near post. This was Irvin Raul’s eighth goal of the season, with seven of them being scored at Cashman Field.

Before the half ended, Orange County SC was left with a man-down after Joe Amico was sent off with a red card after headbutting Irvin Parra in the third minute of added time.

The match would end up being tied in the 70th minute when a long throw-in by Kevin Alston was flicked and found Leonardo in the six-yard box. Leonardo’s header hit the back of the net, ending Thomas Olsen’s streak of 250 minutes without receiving a goal at Cashman Field.

Two minutes later, Lights FC got back in front on the scoreboard with a strike from Tabort Etaka Preston. But after talking over the play with one of his assistants, referee Dejan Susak waved off the goal.

This match had a thrilling ending, with Las Vegas having two long throw-ins and two corner kicks in added time that threatened Orange County. But after clearing Lights FC’s final opportunity, the visiting OCSC had one more shot on a breakaway when Vinicius set up Liam Trotter for a shot that went high of the crossbar with Thomas Olsen putting pressure on the English midfielder.

“I’m pretty sure that we can walk away with this with some positives, but this has to sting,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “It has to sting a little bit when you don’t get the result you’re looking for at home. All credit to Braeden Cloutier and his team, they’ve got some talented guys out there … but look, we out-soccered them“.

“It was a tough match,” said Lights FC defender Dejan Jakovic, who made his Lights FC debut by playing the full game against Orange County. “I think we were a little bit unfortunate not to come away with three points. We played very well in the first half, we created chances and scored the goal. I think in the second half we got a little bit too much complacent and they’ve got some big boys. And it’s one of those where you can tell they’re dangerous from set pieces and throw-ins and unfortunately, we just fell asleep a little bit on that play they scored on us.”

Las Vegas will close out its two-game homestand on June 15 as they host USL Championship’s Western Conference leaders New Mexico United. This match is the second in the Summer of Soccer delivered by Zappos, where tickets start off at just $10 thanks to the Terrible’s Herbst Ten Buck Tixs that can be purchased at LightsFC.com/Tix and by calling 702-728-GOAL.

MATCH PREVIEW VS. ORANGE COUNTY SC

Las Vegas, NV – After battling out a difficult eight-day stretch in which they played 3 games, it’s time to regroup for Lights FC by facing Orange County SC in the beginning of a two-match homestand.

“Beating teams on the lower half of the table at home is one thing, but being able to stand up against opponents like Orange County, New Mexico and OKC at home is a different equation,“ stated Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “This is a really good test, probably our biggest. I’ve seen a lot of good fight in practice, they are recognizing the situation they’ve put themselves in, and they want to dig their way out of this hole.”

After jumping to fifth place by defeating Colorado Springs on May 11, Las Vegas has gone winless in their last three USL Championship matches in which only one point was earned. Now it’s time to turn the page and focus in the next task at hand, with Lights FC having their next five games against teams who are currently in USL Cup playoffs spots.

“Mentally we do need to be stronger,” stated Wynalda. “We’ve had some bad results, but the one in Reno hurts the most, mainly because in the last part of the game the focus wasn’t there. You go through stretches like this sometimes, whether it’s fatigue or poor form. Good teams dig themselves out of it; they have that opportunity now.”

While the defensive line has continued its stellar performances at home by compiling 5 clean sheets in 6 matches, offensively Lights FC’s attacking unit has been shutout in their last 3 regular season games.

“We’ve had plenty of chances, but we went through a stretch like this earlier in the season where we really struggled to find the back of the net”, said Wynalda. “We have to put the work in this week to get that mentality back that we can score goals, we will score goals, and not go out there and be passive. I think that’s what we saw against Reno, that’s what we saw against Tulsa, and all this stuff is fixable. We have 3 of our 4 next games at home and there is plenty of opportunities for us to jump back up the standings.”

SATURDAY’S OPPONENT: ORANGE COUNTY SC

Orange County is riding a six-match undefeated streak in USL Championship action, including a 2-1 win over RGV Toros in their most recent match.

Braeden Cloutier was named head coach of OCSC ahead of the 2018 season, where he led the team to be the only team in the Western Conference to reach 20 wins. After finishing the regular season as the best team in the conference, Orange County SC was eliminated in the USL Cup playoffs Western Conference Final.

Darwin Jones is the team’s leading scorer with 6 goals, with the Southern California squad having an undefeated record in 2019 when he puts the ball in the back of the net.

MLS veteran Patrick McLain is one of three goalkeepers that has seen action with OCSC this season. He has 22 saves in 7 games, racking up 3 clean sheets so far in 2019.