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.
2019 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
General manager | Brett Lashbrook | ||
Head coach | Eric Wynalda | ||
Stadium | Cashman Field | ||
USL | Conference: 13th Overall: 25th | ||
USL Cup Playoffs | Did Not Qualify | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Second Round | ||
Silver State Cup | Runner-Up | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Irvin Parra (10) All: Irvin Parra (10) | ||
Highest home attendance | League/All: 10,117 (October 12 vs. Reno | ||
Lowest home attendance | League: 6,123 (May 11 vs. Col. Springs) All: 2,536 (May 14 vs. Cal FC) | ||
Average home league attendance | 7,711 | ||
Biggest win | 5–0 (April 13 vs. Tacoma) | ||
Biggest defeat | 0–4 (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 12th against Colorado Rapids.[3] An 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]
Competitions
Exhibitions
All times in Pacific Time
2 February Preseason | Las Vegas Lights FC | 5–1 | Toronto FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Hernández ![]() Harlley ![]() Parra ![]() Rivas ![]() Arguez ![]() |
Report | Telfer ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 5,232 |
16 February Preseason | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–3 | Colorado Rapids | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Report | Gashi ![]() Hundley ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: Closed |
16 February Preseason | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–2 | Colorado Rapids | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Hernández ![]() Torres ![]() |
Report | Serna ![]() Mezquida ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 5,619 |
2 March Preseason | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–1 | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Parra ![]() |
Report | ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field |
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 |
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
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
9 March 1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–0 | Austin Bold FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Parra ![]() Thomas ![]() |
Report | Guadarrama ![]() Lima ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 8,017 Referee: Timothy Ford |
16 March 2 | OKC Energy | 2–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
5:30 PM | Brown ![]() Harris ![]() Ross ![]() Gordon ![]() |
Report | Scaglia ![]() Torre ![]() |
Stadium: Taft Stadium Attendance: 5,544 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
23 March 3 | Portland Timbers 2 | 3–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 PM | Langsdorf ![]() Asprilla ![]() ![]() |
Report | Hernández ![]() Torres ![]() Rivas ![]() Robinson ![]() |
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 2,124 Referee: Farhad Dadkho |
30 March 4 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–0 | Real Monarchs | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Parra ![]() Scaglia ![]() Harlley ![]() Torre ![]() |
Report | Blake ![]() Martínez ![]() Powder ![]() Moberg ![]() Etoundi ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 9,102 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
6 April 5 | San Antonio FC | 2–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | San Antonio, Texas |
7:30 p.m. CDT | Jamieson ![]() Barmby ![]() Guzmán ![]() ![]() Cardone ![]() |
Report | Torres ![]() Torre ![]() Rivas ![]() Parra ![]() |
Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 6,067 Referee: Alan Kelly |
13 April 6 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 5–0 | Tacoma Defiance | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 pm (PDT) | Tabortetaka ![]() ![]() Parra ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Report | Daley ![]() ![]() Campbell ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,805 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
20 April 7 | Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | 5–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Edinburg, Texas |
5:30 PM | Cabrera ![]() Martinez ![]() Robinson ![]() Foster ![]() ![]() Small ![]() Adams ![]() |
Report | Sandoval ![]() Etaka ![]() Torres ![]() Cruz ![]() Ochoa ![]() |
Stadium: H-E-B Park Attendance: 3,483 Referee: Matt Franz |
29 April 8 | LA Galaxy II | 0–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Carson, California |
19:30 | Cuello ![]() Romney ![]() Tchilao ![]() ![]() |
Report | Scaglia ![]() Robinson ![]() |
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park Attendance: 771 Referee: Victor Rivas |
4 May 9 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 4–2 | Sacramento Republic FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Parra ![]() Robinson ![]() Echavarria ![]() Sandoval ![]() |
Report | Partain ![]() Blackwood ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,487 Referee: Malik Badawi |
11 May 10 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 3–0 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | Las Vegas, Nevada |
8:30 PM | Parra ![]() ![]() Fehr ![]() Ochoa ![]() Sandoval ![]() Hernandez ![]() |
Report | Hitzeman ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,023 Referee: Alejandro Aguilera |
18 May 11 | Phoenix Rising FC | 4–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Scottsdale, Arizona |
7:30pm | Lambert ![]() Asante ![]() Bjornethun ![]() Jahn ![]() Flemmings ![]() |
Report Report |
Fehr ![]() ![]() Hernández ![]() Ochoa ![]() |
Stadium: Casino Arizona Field Attendance: 6,474 Referee: Mark Allatin |
25 May 12 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–0 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | Las Vegas, Nevada |
8:30 PM | Garcia-Lopez ![]() Sandoval ![]() Hernández ![]() |
Report | Mompremier ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 6,123 Referee: Kevin Stott |
1 June 13 | Reno 1868 FC | 4–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Reno, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Partida ![]() Hertzog ![]() Brown ![]() Mendiola ![]() ![]() Lacroix ![]() |
Report | Cruz ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() Hernández ![]() |
Stadium: Greater Nevada Field Attendance: 4,801 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
8 June 14 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–1 | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Parra ![]() Torre ![]() Villareal ![]() |
Report | Amico ![]() Seaton ![]() Leonardo ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 6,801 Referee: Dejan Susak |
15 June 15 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 5–1 | New Mexico United | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Torre ![]() ![]() Hernández ![]() Garcia-Lopez ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() Robinson ![]() Estrada ![]() Sandoval ![]() |
Report | Tetteh ![]() Estrada ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,882 Referee: Farhad Dadkho |
22 June 16 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 0–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | El Paso, Texas |
7:30 PM | Kiesewetter ![]() Beckie ![]() |
Report | Torres ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() Robinson ![]() Sandoval ![]() J. Gonzalez ![]() Olsen ![]() Fehr ![]() |
Stadium: Southwest University Park Referee: Michael Radchuk |
29 June 17 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–1 | OKC Energy FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Garcia-Lopez ![]() Robinson ![]() |
Report | J. Brown ![]() Jones ![]() Bosetti ![]() D.Brown ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 9,418 Referee: Victor Rivas |
4 July 18 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–2 | LA Galaxy II | Las Vegas, Nevada |
19:30 | Gonzalez ![]() Fehr ![]() Parra ![]() ![]() |
Report | Harvey ![]() López ![]() Tchilao ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 8,404 Referee: Elton García |
24 July 19 | Tacoma Defiance | 4–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Tacoma, Washington |
7:00 pm (PDT) | Dhillon ![]() Ocampo-Chavez ![]() ![]() Burke-Gilroy ![]() Hopeau ![]() |
Report | Sandoval ![]() Torre ![]() ![]() Parra ![]() Olsen ![]() Gonzalez ![]() Ochoa ![]() Preston ![]() |
Stadium: Cheney Stadium Attendance: 2,208 Referee: Lukasz Szpala |
27 July 20 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–1 | Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | Las Vegas, Nevada |
9:30 PM | Robinson ![]() Parra ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() Rojas ![]() |
Report | Small ![]() Bird ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 8,818 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
3 August 21 | Fresno FC | 2–1 | Las Vegas Lights | Fresno, California |
8:30 PM | Chavez ![]() ![]() |
Report | Levin ![]() Cruz ![]() |
Stadium: Chukchansi Park Attendance: 3,413 Referee: Turan Ozdemir |
7 August 22 | Sacramento Republic FC | 0–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Sacramento, California |
8:00 PM | Alemán ![]() Mahoney ![]() Barahona ![]() |
Report | Torres ![]() Parra ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() |
Stadium: Papa Murphy's Park Attendance: 10,431 Referee: Mark Allatin |
17 August 23 | Orange County SC | 3–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, California |
7:00 PM | Amico ![]() Duke ![]() Forrester ![]() van Ewijk ![]() Quinn ![]() Seaton ![]() |
Report | Sandoval ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,287 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
24 August 24 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–0 | Portland Timbers 2 | Las Vegas, Nevada |
9:30 PM | Villareal ![]() |
Report | Williamson ![]() Smith ![]() Langsdorf ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,686 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
28 August 25 | Tulsa Roughnecks | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
6:00 PM | Mompremier ![]() Uzo ![]() |
Report | Gonzalez ![]() Martínez ![]() Torre ![]() Sousa ![]() |
Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 1,503 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
4 September 26 | Real Monarchs | 2–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Herriman, Utah |
8:00 PM | Blake ![]() ![]() Holt ![]() Martínez ![]() |
Report | Torres ![]() Sousa ![]() Robinson ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() |
Stadium: Zions Bank Stadium Attendance: 1,471 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
7 September 27 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–3 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Torres ![]() Sandoval ![]() ![]() Torre ![]() |
Report | Kiffe ![]() Velásquez ![]() ![]() Gómez ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 6,308 Referee: Farhad Dadkho |
11 September 28 | Las Vegas Lights | 0–1 | Phoenix Rising FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30pm | Tabortetaka ![]() Villarreal ![]() |
Report | Calistri ![]() Jahn ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 5,101 Referee: David Barrie |
14 September 29 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 3–1 | Fresno FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Martínez ![]() Sousa ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() Parra ![]() |
Report | Daly ![]() Cooper ![]() ![]() del Campo ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,228 Referee: Malik Badawi |
22 September 30 | Austin Bold FC | 4–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Austin, Texas |
4:00 PM | Kléber ![]() ![]() ![]() Lima ![]() Báez ![]() |
Report | Sousa ![]() ![]() Sandoval ![]() |
Stadium: Austin Bold Stadium Attendance: 3,004 Referee: Luis Guardia |
28 September 31 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 1–3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
7:00 PM | Malcolm ![]() Rwatubyaye ![]() |
Report | de la Fuente ![]() Parra ![]() ![]() ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() |
Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 4,279 Referee: Mark Allatin |
5 October 32 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 4–2 | San Antonio FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Parra ![]() ![]() ![]() Etaka ![]() Fehr ![]() Garcia-Lopez ![]() Martínez ![]() |
Report | Gómez ![]() López ![]() ![]() Ackon ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 7,765 Referee: Greg Dopka |
12 October 33 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–2 | Reno 1868 FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Villareal ![]() |
Report | Torre ![]() Haji ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 10,117 Referee: Michael Radchuk |
19 October 34 | New Mexico United | 2–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
7:00 PM | Wehan ![]() Tetteh ![]() Hamilton ![]() Sandoval ![]() |
Report | Torre ![]() Torres ![]() |
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 ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 pm | Ochoa ![]() ![]() Torres ![]() Rojas ![]() Sandoval ![]() Cruz ![]() Levin ![]() |
Report | Barrera ![]() Vásquez ![]() ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,536 Referee: Alejandro Aguilera |
May 29 Third Round | Las Vegas Lights FC ![]() | 3–5 | ![]() | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 pm PDT | Echavarría ![]() Sandoval ![]() ![]() Rivas ![]() Torres ![]() |
Report | Shelton ![]() ![]() Fehr ![]() Holland ![]() Collins ![]() Lombardi ![]() Frischknecht ![]() Flores ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2 | DF | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 | DF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
4 | DF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
5 | DF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
8 | FW | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
9 | FW | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
10 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
11 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
14 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
15 | DF | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
17 | MF | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
19 | FW | ![]() |
0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
20 | FW | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
21 | MF | ![]() |
0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
22 | GK | ![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
23 | DF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
25 | MF | ![]() |
0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
28 | MF | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 | ![]() |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
TOTALS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Last updated: March 10, 2019.
Source: Las Vegas Lights FC
References
- Hill, Adam (October 14, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC fire coach Isidro Sanchez". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- Kantowski, Ron (October 17, 2018). "Former US soccer great Eric Wynalda named Lights FC Head Coach". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- Lights FC Communications (December 12, 2018). "Lights FC Soccer Spring Training Returns To Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- 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.
- Lights FC Communications (February 2, 2019). "Lights FC Start Wynalda Era With 5–1 Win". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- Lights FC Communications (February 16, 2019). "Lights FC & Rapids Entertain Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- "Lights FC 2019 Roster". Las Vegas Lights FC. February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
- "2019 USL Championship Schedule Unveiled". Retrieved 23 February 2019.
- "2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Format and Schedule Finalized". Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- "Player Stats". Las Vegas Lights FC. Retrieved May 12, 2018.