2019 Las Vegas Lights FC season

The 2019 Las Vegas Lights FC season was the club's second season, and their second season in the United Soccer League Championship, the second division of American soccer.

Las Vegas Lights FC
2019 season
General managerBrett Lashbrook
Head coachEric Wynalda
StadiumCashman Field
USLConference: 13th
Overall: 25th
USL Cup PlayoffsDid not qualify
U.S. Open CupSecond Round
Silver State CupRunner-Up
Top goalscorerLeague: Irvin Parra (10)
All: Irvin Parra (10)
Highest home attendanceLeague/All: 10,117
(October 12 vs. Reno
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 6,123
(May 11 vs. Col. Springs)
All: 2,536
(May 14 vs. Cal FC)
Average home league attendance7,711
Biggest win5–0
(April 13 vs. Tacoma)
Biggest defeat0–4
(May 18 vs. Phoenix)

Background

Lights FC finished its inaugural season third-bottom of the Western Conference table, with the fifth worst record in the United Soccer League. Lights FC were able to score 50 goals during the 2018 season, however the defensive record was poor – conceding 74 goals during the game, third most in the league. Lights FC were led by Raúl Mendiola and Sammy Ochoa, whom each scored 10 goals for Lights FC over all competitions. Despite a poor winning record, Lights FC proved to be highly successful off of the field, recording the fifth highest average attendance in the league and the second highest in the Western Conference.

Following the completion of the Light's 2018 campaign, CEO/Owner/General Manager informed manager Isidro Sánchez Macip that he would not be retained for the 2019 season, following his father, Chelís who had resigned less than a month prior.[1] Three days after announcing Sánchez' sacking, Lights FC introduced former United States national team player Eric Wynalda as Head Coach and Technical Director. Prior to accepting Lights FC's offer, Wynalda had been an analyst and color commentator for Fox Sports 1 and had previous coaching stints with L.A. Wolves FC, Atlanta Silverbacks, and Cal FC whom he led to a U.S. Open Cup upset of Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers in 2012.[2]

With the Las Vegas's minor league baseball franchise moving to a new ballpark in Summerlin, Light FC became the primary tenant at Cashman Field.

Summary

Preseason

On December 12, 2018, Lights FC announced two preseason friendlies against MLS sides at Cashman Field in preparations for the 2019 season. The matches were to be on February 2 against Toronto FC and February 12 against Colorado Rapids.[3] A final preseason friendly was added to the schedule for March 2 against USL side Orange County SC for March 2.[4]

Lights FC would begin their preseason with a dominating 5–1 victory over Toronto FC, being led by a brace from former Toronto FC draft pick Edwin Rivas and additional goals from Alex Harlley, Irvin Parra, and Bryan Arguez.[5] In the second preseason friendly, Lights FC and Colorado traded goals through the first and second half, leading to a 2–2 draw between the two clubs. Lights FC would get goals from Cristhian Hernández and Christian Torres, while the Rapids would receive goals from Dillon Serna and Nicolás Mezquida.[6] In Lights FC's final preseason friendly, Irvin Parra netted a brace for the club in a 2–1 victory over Orange County.

Club

As of February 23, 2019[7]
No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Thomas Olsen  United States
3 DF Kevin Garcia-Lopez  United States
4 DF Gabe Robinson  United States
5 DF Javan Torre  United States
6 DF Mobi Fehr  United States
7 MF Pablo Cruz  United States
8 FW Edwin Rivas  United States
9 FW Sammy Ochoa  United States
11 MF Irvin Parra  United States
13 MF Jesus Gonzalez  United States
15 DF Bryan de la Fuente  United States
16 MF Lucas Scaglia  Argentina
18 MF Víctor Rojas  Venezuela
19 FW Tabort Etaka Preston (on loan from MFK Vyškov)  Cameroon
22 GK Angel Alvarez  United States
23 DF Christian Torres  Mexico
24 FW Jose Villarreal  United States
25 DF Panzani Sousa  DR Congo
29 FW Santiago Echavarría  Colombia
32 DF Jonathan Levin  Mexico
88 FW Junior Sandoval  Honduras
MF Vinnie Vermeer (on loan from Nashville SC)  Netherlands

Competitions

Exhibitions

All times in Pacific Time

February 2 Preseason Las Vegas Lights FC 5–1 Toronto FC Las Vegas, Nevada
Hernández Yellow card 29'
Harlley 38'
Parra 42'
Rivas 67', 90+1'
Arguez 86'
Report Telfer 64' Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 5,232

USL Championship

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 San Antonio FC 34 12 9 13 62 57 +5 45
12 Rio Grande Valley Toros 34 11 8 15 50 58 8 41
13 Las Vegas Lights FC 34 11 8 15 46 56 10 41
14 Portland Timbers 2 34 10 8 16 65 71 6 38
15 OKC Energy FC 34 9 11 14 45 58 13 38
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
StadiumHAAHAHAAHHAHAHHAHHAHAAAHAAHHHAAHHA
ResultDLLWLWLDWW
Updated to match(es) played on April 20, 2019. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Match results

On December 19, 2018, the USL announced their 2019 season schedule.[8]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed   Upcoming fixture

All times in Pacific Time

March 9 1 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–0 Austin Bold FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Parra Yellow card 45+1'
Thomas Yellow card 87'
Report Guadarrama Yellow card 25'
Lima Yellow card 90+2'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 8,017
Referee: Timothy Ford
March 16 2 OKC Energy 2–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
5:30 PM Brown 13'
Harris Yellow card 49'
Ross Yellow card 69'
Gordon 78'
Report Scaglia Yellow card 26'
Torre 58'
Stadium: Taft Stadium
Attendance: 5,544
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
March 23 3 Portland Timbers 2 3–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Portland, Oregon
7:00 PM Langsdorf 10'
Asprilla 44' (pen.), 74'
Report Hernández Yellow card 22'
Torres Yellow card 45+1'
Rivas Yellow card 59'
Robinson 70'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 2,124
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
March 30 4 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 Real Monarchs Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Parra Yellow card 45+3'
Scaglia Yellow card 45+3'
Harlley 49'
Torre Yellow card 90+1'
Report Blake Yellow card 37'
Martínez Yellow card 56'
Powder Yellow card 58'
Moberg Yellow card 74'
Etoundi Yellow card 90+1'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 9,102
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
April 6 5 San Antonio FC 2–1 Las Vegas Lights FC San Antonio, Texas
7:30 p.m. CDT Jamieson 16'
Barmby Yellow card 45'
Guzmán Yellow card 70', 83'
Cardone Yellow card 89'
Report Torres Yellow card 44'
Torre Yellow card 45+1'
Rivas Yellow card 75'
Parra 90+7' (pen.)
Stadium: Toyota Field
Attendance: 6,067
Referee: Alan Kelly
April 13 6 Las Vegas Lights FC 5–0 Tacoma Defiance Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 pm (PDT) Tabortetaka 11', 50'
Parra 23' (pen.), 32', 60', Yellow card 61'
Report Daley Yellow card 28' Yellow-red card 63'
Campbell Yellow card 56'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,805
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
April 20 7 Rio Grande Valley FC Toros 5–2 Las Vegas Lights FC Edinburg, Texas
5:30 PM Cabrera 15' (pen.)
Martinez 19'
Robinson 46' (o.g.)
Foster Yellow card 74', 79'
Small 85'
Adams Yellow card 90'
Report Sandoval Yellow card 35'
Etaka Yellow card 63'
Torres 65'
Cruz Yellow card 86'
Ochoa 90+1'
Stadium: H-E-B Park
Attendance: 3,483
Referee: Matt Franz
April 29 8 LA Galaxy II 0–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Carson, California
19:30 Cuello Yellow card 26'
Romney Yellow card 39'
Tchilao Yellow card 48' Yellow-red card 79'
Report Scaglia Yellow card 45+2'
Robinson Yellow card 52'
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Attendance: 771
Referee: Victor Rivas
May 4 9 Las Vegas Lights FC 4–2 Sacramento Republic FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Parra 67'
Robinson 71'
Echavarria 75'
Sandoval 90'
Report Partain 51'
Blackwood 90+4'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,487
Referee: Malik Badawi
May 11 10 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks Las Vegas, Nevada
8:30 PM Parra 34', 76' (pen.)
Fehr Yellow card 41'
Ochoa 45+1'
Sandoval Yellow card 65'
Hernandez Yellow card 90+1'
Report Hitzeman Yellow card 87' Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,023
Referee: Alejandro Aguilera
May 18 11 Phoenix Rising FC 4–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Scottsdale, Arizona
7:30pm Lambert 40'
Asante 51'
Bjornethun Yellow card 73'
Jahn 77'
Flemmings 90+2'
Report
Report
Fehr Yellow card 31' Red card 82'
Hernández Yellow card 79'
Ochoa Yellow card 80'
Stadium: Casino Arizona Field
Attendance: 6,474
Referee: Mark Allatin
June 1 13 Reno 1868 FC 4–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Reno, Nevada
7:30 PM Partida Yellow card 23'
Hertzog 41'
Brown 48'
Mendiola Yellow card 64', 79'
Lacroix 86'
Report Cruz Yellow card 58'
Tabortetaka Yellow card 76'
Hernández Yellow card 90'
Stadium: Greater Nevada Field
Attendance: 4,801
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
June 8 14 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–1 Orange County SC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Parra 39'
Torre Yellow card 43'
Villareal Yellow card 76'
Report Amico Red card 45+1'
Seaton Yellow card 45+4'
Leonardo 70'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 6,801
Referee: Dejan Susak
June 15 15 Las Vegas Lights FC 5–1 New Mexico United Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Torre 32', Yellow card 33'
Hernández 40'
Garcia-Lopez Yellow card 45'
Tabortetaka 47'
Robinson Yellow card 69'
Estrada 90'
Sandoval 90+4'
Report Tetteh Yellow card 39'
Estrada 88'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,882
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
June 22 16 El Paso Locomotive FC 0–1 Las Vegas Lights FC El Paso, Texas
7:30 PM Kiesewetter Yellow card 66'
Beckie Yellow card 90+3'
Report Torres Yellow card 27'
Tabortetaka 42'
Robinson Yellow card 70'
Sandoval Yellow card 71'
J. Gonzalez Yellow card 81'
Olsen Yellow card 86'
Fehr Yellow card 90+5'
Stadium: Southwest University Park
Referee: Michael Radchuk
June 29 17 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–1 OKC Energy FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Garcia-Lopez Yellow card 14'
Robinson Yellow card 35'
Report J. Brown Yellow card 66'
Jones Yellow card 69'
Bosetti Yellow card 83'
D.Brown 89'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 9,418
Referee: Victor Rivas
July 4 18 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–2 LA Galaxy II Las Vegas, Nevada
19:30 Gonzalez 18'
Fehr Yellow card 58'
Parra 85' (pen.), Yellow card 87'
Report Harvey 30'
López 47'
Tchilao Yellow card 83'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 8,404
Referee: Elton García
July 24 19 Tacoma Defiance 4–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Tacoma, Washington
7:00 pm (PDT) Dhillon 31'
Ocampo-Chavez 47', 66'
Burke-Gilroy Yellow card 73'
Hopeau 85'
Report Sandoval Yellow card 4'
Torre 36', Red card 75'
Parra Yellow card 45'+2'
Olsen Yellow card 69'
Gonzalez Red card 70'
Ochoa Red card 86'
Preston Yellow card 90'+4'
Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Attendance: 2,208
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
July 27 20 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–1 Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Las Vegas, Nevada
9:30 PM Robinson 10'
Parra 31'
Tabortetaka Yellow card 41'
Rojas Yellow card 88'
Report Small 26'
Bird Yellow card 38'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 8,818
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
August 3 21 Fresno FC 2–1 Las Vegas Lights Fresno, California
8:30 PM Chavez 41', 56' Report Levin Red card 45+3'
Cruz 80'
Stadium: Chukchansi Park
Attendance: 3,413
Referee: Turan Ozdemir
August 7 22 Sacramento Republic FC 0–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Sacramento, California
8:00 PM Alemán Yellow card 32'
Mahoney Yellow card 46'
Barahona Yellow card 87'
Report Torres Yellow card 26'
Parra Yellow card 31'
Tabortetaka Yellow card 70'
Stadium: Papa Murphy's Park
Attendance: 10,431
Referee: Mark Allatin
August 17 23 Orange County SC 3–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Amico Yellow card 12'
Duke Yellow card 46'
Forrester Yellow card 56'
van Ewijk 68'
Quinn 76'
Seaton 86'
Report Sandoval Yellow card 49' Yellow-red card 89' Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 3,287
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
August 24 24 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 Portland Timbers 2 Las Vegas, Nevada
9:30 PM Villareal 45' Report Williamson Yellow card 52'
Smith Yellow card 83'
Langsdorf Yellow card 90+5'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,686
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
August 28 25 Tulsa Roughnecks 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Tulsa, Oklahoma
6:00 PM Mompremier Yellow card 33'
Uzo 70'
Report Gonzalez Yellow card 34'
Martínez Yellow card 39'
Torre 62'
Sousa Yellow card 67'
Stadium: ONEOK Field
Attendance: 1,503
Referee: Thomas Snyder
September 4 26 Real Monarchs 2–2 Las Vegas Lights FC Herriman, Utah
8:00 PM Blake 44' (pen.), 90+6'
Holt Yellow card 52'
Martínez Yellow card 90+6'
Report Torres 9'
Sousa Yellow card 15'
Robinson Yellow card 31'
Tabortetaka 81'
Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium
Attendance: 1,471
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
September 7 27 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–3 El Paso Locomotive FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Torres Yellow card 20'
Sandoval Yellow card 29' Yellow-red card 85'
Torre Yellow card 39'
Report Kiffe Yellow card 46'
Velásquez 52' (pen.), Yellow card 68'
Gómez 81', 90'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 6,308
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
September 11 28 Las Vegas Lights 0–1 Phoenix Rising FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30pm Tabortetaka Yellow card 65'
Villarreal Yellow card 88'
Report Calistri Yellow card 49'
Jahn 62'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 5,101
Referee: David Barrie
September 14 29 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–1 Fresno FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Martínez 21'
Sousa Yellow card 54'
Tabortetaka 58'
Parra 71' (pen.)
Report Daly Yellow card 9'
Cooper 17', Yellow card 78'
del Campo Yellow card 52'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,228
Referee: Malik Badawi
September 22 30 Austin Bold FC 4–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Austin, Texas
4:00 PM Kléber 21', 31', 90+1'
Lima 51'
Báez Yellow card 61'
Report Sousa 23', Yellow card 28'
Sandoval Yellow card 45+1'
Stadium: Austin Bold Stadium
Attendance: 3,004
Referee: Luis Guardia
September 28 31 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 1–3 Las Vegas Lights FC Colorado Springs, Colorado
7:00 PM Malcolm Yellow card 25'
Rwatubyaye 90+2'
Report de la Fuente Yellow card 42'
Parra 55', Yellow card 75', 84'
Tabortetaka 81'
Stadium: Weidner Field
Attendance: 4,279
Referee: Mark Allatin
October 5 32 Las Vegas Lights FC 4–2 San Antonio FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Parra 8', Yellow card 19', 45+5'
Etaka 22'
Fehr Yellow card 34'
Garcia-Lopez Yellow card 78'
Martínez 90+8'
Report Gómez 10'
López 70' (pen.), Red card 90+6'
Ackon Yellow card 90'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 7,765
Referee: Greg Dopka
October 12 33 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–2 Reno 1868 FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Villareal Yellow card 90' Report Torre 35' (o.g.)
Haji 76'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 10,117
Referee: Michael Radchuk
October 19 34 New Mexico United 2–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Albuquerque, New Mexico
7:00 PM Wehan 37'
Tetteh Yellow card 75'
Hamilton Yellow card 77'
Sandoval 87'
Report Torre Yellow card 58'
Torres Yellow card 81'
Stadium: Isotopes Park
Attendance: 13,788
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza

U.S. Open Cup

As a member of the USL Championship, Las Vegas Lights entered the tournament in the Second Round.[9]

May 14 Second Round Las Vegas Lights FC Nevada 2–0 California Cal FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 pm Ochoa 13', Yellow card 60'
Torres Yellow card 41'
Rojas 50'
Sandoval Yellow card 62'
Cruz Yellow card 68'
Levin Red card 90+2'
Report Barrera Yellow card 82'
Vásquez Yellow card 87' Red card 90+2'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 2,536
Referee: Alejandro Aguilera
May 29 Third Round Las Vegas Lights FC Nevada 3–5 California Orange County FC (NPSL) Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 pm PDT Echavarría 23' (pen.)
Sandoval Yellow card 32', 85'
Rivas 47'
Torres Red card 74'
Report Shelton 6', Yellow card 74'
Fehr 16' (o.g.)
Holland Yellow card 23'
Collins 35'
Lombardi Yellow card 84'
Frischknecht 89'
Flores 90+1'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 2,378
Referee: Samantha Martinez

Statistics

Appearances

Source:[10]
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad, but only as unused substitutes.
Discipline includes league, playoffs, and Open Cup play.
Key to positions: GK Goalkeeper; DF Defender; MF Midfielder; FW Forward
No. Pos. Name League Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK United States Thomas Olsen 1000001000
2 DF United States Miguel Palafox 0000000000
3 DF United States Kevin Garcia-Lopez 1000001000
4 DF United States Gabe Robinson 1000001000
5 DF United States Javan Torre 1000001000
7 MF United States Pablo Cruz 1000001000
8 FW United States Edwin Rivas 0000000000
9 FW United States Sammy Ochoa 0000000000
10 MF Mexico Cristhian Hernández 1000001000
11 MF United States Irvin Parra 1000001010
14 MF Togo Alex Harlley 1000001000
15 DF United States Bryan de la Fuente 0000000000
16 MF Argentina Lucas Scaglia 1000001000
17 MF United States Bryan Arguez 0000000000
19 FW Cameroon Tabort Etaka Preston 0 (1)000000 (1)000
20 FW Cameroon Bin Adolf Enow 0000000000
21 MF United States Matt Thomas 0 (1)000000 (1)010
22 GK United States Angel Alvarez 0000000000
23 DF Mexico Christian Torres 1000001000
25 MF Democratic Republic of the Congo Panzani Sousa 0 (1)000000 (1)000
28 MF United States Eric Gonzalez 1000001000

Last updated: March 10, 2019.
Source: Las Vegas Lights FC


Clean sheets

The list is sorted by shirt number when total appearances are equal.

Rnk No. Player United Soccer League USL Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
1 1 United States Thomas Olsen 1001
TOTALS 1 0 0 1

Last updated: March 10, 2019.
Source: Las Vegas Lights FC

References

  1. Hill, Adam (October 14, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC fire coach Isidro Sanchez". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  2. Kantowski, Ron (October 17, 2018). "Former US soccer great Eric Wynalda named Lights FC Head Coach". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. Lights FC Communications (December 12, 2018). "Lights FC Soccer Spring Training Returns To Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  4. Lights FC Communications (February 20, 2019). "Final Pre-Season Match Announced As Part Of Special Season Ticket Members Only Event". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  5. Lights FC Communications (February 2, 2019). "Lights FC Start Wynalda Era With 5–1 Win". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  6. Lights FC Communications (February 16, 2019). "Lights FC & Rapids Entertain Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. "Lights FC 2019 Roster". Las Vegas Lights FC. February 23, 2019. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  8. "2019 USL Championship Schedule Unveiled". Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  9. "2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Format and Schedule Finalized". Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  10. "Player Stats". Las Vegas Lights FC. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
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