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2024 Las Vegas Lights FC season

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Las Vegas Lights FC
2024 season
Principal OwnerJosé Bautista
Head coachDennis Sanchez
StadiumCashman Field
USLWestern Conference: 4th
USL Cup PlayoffsTBD
U.S. Open CupRound of 32
← 2023
2025 →

The 2024 Las Vegas Lights FC season is the club's seventh, and current, season, and their seventh season in the United Soccer League Championship (USLC), the second division of American soccer.

During the offseason, the Lights underwent some massive changes. On January 16, the Lights were bought out by an ownership group managed by former Major League Baseball player José Bautista.[1][2][3] Additionally, the Lights hired a new head coach less than two weeks later on January 29, hiring Dennis Sanchez,[4] a former assistant coach for MLS Next club Austin FC II.[5][6]

Squad

[edit]

Roster

[edit]
As of July 12, 2024[7]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Switzerland SUI Nicholas Ammeter
3 DF United States USA Hayden Sargis (on loan from D.C. United)
6 MF England ENG Charlie Adams
7 MF United States USA Joe Gyau
9 FW Dominican Republic DOM Riki Alba
10 FW Dominican Republic DOM Edison Azcona
11 MF United States USA Coleman Gannon
13 MF United States USA Giovanni Aguilar
14 FW Ghana GHA Solomon Asante
20 DF United States USA Shawn Smart
21 DF Montenegro MNE Emrah Klimenta
22 DF United States USA Joe Hafferty
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF Jamaica JAM Maliek Howell
26 MF Cameroon CMR J.C. Ngando (on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps)
27 MF France FRA Valentin Noël
29 MF United States USA Christian Pinzón
31 GK United States USA Austin Wormell
33 DF United States USA Gennaro Nigro
56 GK Cuba CUB Raiko Arozarena
72 DF Ivory Coast CIV Gaoussou Samaké
77 MF El Salvador SLV Alexander Romero ([A])
79 MF Haiti HAI All Gue ([A])
90 FW Jamaica JAM Khori Bennett
  1. ^
    USL Academy contract

Staff

[edit]
Title Name Nation
Owner José Bautista  Dominican Republic
Sporting director Gianleonardo Neglia  Italy[8]
Head coach Dennis Sánchez  United States
Assistant coach Gerson Echeverry  Colombia
Assistant coach Ivan Mirkovic  Serbia
Goalkeeping coach Armando Quezada  United States

Competitions

[edit]

USL Championship

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (C) 34 15 12 7 48 40 +8 52 Playoffs
3 Memphis 901 FC 34 14 11 9 52 41 +11 51
4 Las Vegas Lights FC 34 13 10 11 49 46 +3 50
5 Sacramento Republic FC 34 13 11 10 46 34 +12 49
6 Orange County SC 34 13 14 7 38 45 −7 46
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions

Match results

[edit]

On December 18, 2023, the USL Championship released the regular season schedule for all 24 teams.[9]

All times are in Pacific Standard Time.

March
[edit]
March 9 1 Memphis 901 FC 2–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Memphis, Tennessee
1:00 PM Careaga 33'
Pickering 44'
Duncan Yellow card 46'
Ward Yellow card 80'
Report Noël 22'
Azcona Yellow card 40'
Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 3,290
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
March 16 2 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–3 FC Tulsa Las Vegas, Nevada
5:00 PM Alba 60'
Smart Yellow card 85'
Berumen Yellow card 90'+5'
Report Stojanovic 11' Yellow card 14'
Goodrum 25'
Yosef 56'
Worth Yellow card 90'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,675
Referee: Brandon Stevis
March 23 3 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 El Paso Locomotive FC Las Vegas, Nevada
5:00 PM Garcia 33' (o.g.)
Ngando Yellow card 36'
Smart Yellow card 77'
Gue Yellow card 90'+7'
Report Hinds Yellow card 32'
Stauffer Yellow card 65'
Akinyode Yellow card 67'
Dollenmayer Yellow card 72'
Alfaro Yellow card 78'
Zacarias Yellow card 84'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,070
Referee: Thomas Snyder
March 30 4 Oakland Roots SC 0–3 Las Vegas Lights FC Hayward, California
7:00 PM Nije Yellow card 20' Report Klimenta Yellow card 30'
Gannon 46'
Samake 50'
Azcona Yellow card 63'
Noël 66' Yellow card 69'
Smart Yellow card 76'
Nigro Yellow card 90'+2'
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium
Attendance: 2,812
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
April
[edit]
April 6 5 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–0 San Antonio FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Azcona Yellow card 17'
Garcia Yellow card 54'
Smart 56'
Report Haakenson Yellow card 38'
Silva Yellow card 50'
Lambert Yellow card 55'
Agudelo Yellow card 76'
Taintor Yellow card 77'
Lacey Yellow card 90+6'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,436
Referee: Greg Dopka
April 13 6 Monterey Bay FC 3–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Seaside, California
7:00 PM
Report Samaké 45+1' Stadium: Cardinale Stadium
Attendance: 3,524
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
April 20 7 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–2 Rhode Island FC Las Vegas, NV
8:00 PM
Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,943
Referee: Benjamin Meyer
April 27 8 Charleston Battery 6–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
1:00 PM Markanich 4' 30' 37' (pen.) 49'
Myers 22'
Molloy 81'
Report Arozarena Yellow card 24'
Adams Yellow card 45'+5'
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Attendance: 4,520
Referee: Joe Surgan
May
[edit]
May 4 9 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–2 New Mexico United Las Vegas, Nevada
6:30 PM Adams Yellow card 23'
Samake 44' Yellow card 72'
Gannon Yellow card 65'
Kimenta Yellow card 72'
Report Bruce 13' 30'
Herbert Yellow card 39'
Astorga Yellow card 82'
Tabakis Yellow card 89'
Dubois Yellow card 90'+4'
Bailey Yellow card 90'+4'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,061
Referee: Brad Jensen
May 11 10 San Antonio FC 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC San Antonio, Texas
6:00 PM Burks Yellow card 38'
Marcina Yellow card 45'
Chol 45+2'
Hernández Yellow card 47' Yellow-red card 48'
Lambert Yellow card 82'
Report Klimenta Yellow card 13'
Nigro Yellow card 45'
Noël 59'
Stadium: Toyota Field
Attendance: 7,218
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
May 18 11 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–2 Louisville City FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Noël 16'
Adams 36'
Smart Yellow card 55'
Report Davila 7'
Harris Yellow card 48'
Adams Yellow card 62'
Serrano 70'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,048
Referee: Joshua Encarnacion
Assistant referees: Stephen McGonagle
Assistant referees: William Aten
Fourth official: Pavel Georgiev
May 25 12 Tampa Bay Rowdies 1–0 Las Vegas Lights FC St. Petersburg, Florida
4:30 PM Munjoma Yellow card 56'
Worth Yellow card 81'
Jennings 85'
Report Nigro Yellow card 31'
Smart Yellow card 68'
Azcona Yellow card 71'
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 5,753
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
June
[edit]
June 1 13 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–0 Phoenix Rising FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM
PHX Report
LVL Result
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,720
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
June 8 14 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–1 Miami FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM
Report
  • López 25'
  • Mujeeb Murana Yellow card 65'
  • Michael Lawrence Yellow card 87'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,748
Referee: United States Lorenzo Hernandez
June 14 15 Loudoun United FC 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Leesburg, Virginia
7:00 PM McCabe Yellow card 24' 52'
Ryan Yellow card 45'+6'
Report Gannon 2'
Bennett Yellow card 36'
Howell Yellow card 43'
Stadium: Segra Field
Attendance: 3,580
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
June 18 16 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–3 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Las Vegas, Nevada
6:30 PM
Report Huerman 6' Yellow card 22'
Santos Yellow card 8'
Henríquez 31'
Lacroix Yellow card 53'
Damus 89'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,339
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
June 22 17 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–1 Memphis 901 FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Adams Yellow card 54'
Howell Yellow card 74'
Bennett 80' (pen.)
Azcona Yellow card 83'
Bennett Yellow card 90'
Report Lapa 43' Yellow card 90'+3'
Hyndman Yellow card 62'
Paul Yellow card 63'
Fernando Yellow card 69'
Careaga Yellow card 72'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,657
Referee: Trevor Wiseman
June 29 18 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Las Vegas, NV
7:30 PM Bennett Yellow card 26' 40' 87'
Romero Yellow card 90'+1'
Report Osumanu Yellow card 14' Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,893
Referee: John Griggs
July
[edit]
July 3 19 Sacramento Republic FC 0–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Sacramento, California
7:30 PM Phillips Yellow card 80'
Portillo Yellow card 90'+4'
Report Pinzon 10'
Ngando Yellow card 70'
Arozarena Yellow card 71'
Nigro Yellow card 75'
Stadium: Heart Health Park
Attendance: 8,988
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
July 12 20 El Paso Locomotive FC 0–2 Las Vegas Lights FC El Paso, Texas
7:30 PM Craig Yellow card 2'
Borelli Yellow card 59'
Report Gannon 64'
Stauffer 83' (o.g.)
Pinzón Yellow card 89'
Stadium: Southwest University Park
Attendance: 6,727
Referee: Servando Berna Rico
July 26 21 Colorado Springs Switchbacks 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Colorado Springs, Colorado
6:00 PM Fjeldberg 30' Yellow card 45'+1'
Real Yellow card 53'
Hanya Yellow card 58'
Report Smart 26' Yellow card 73'
Doody Yellow card 61'
Jabang Yellow card 86'
Stadium: Weidner Field
Attendance: 8,023
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
July 31 22 New Mexico United 1–2 Las Vegas Lights FC Albuquerque, New Mexico
6:00 PM Bruce 45'+5'
Houssou Yellow card 85'
Report Pinzón Yellow card 4' 66'
Noël 12'
Nigro Yellow card 79'
Jabang Yellow card 90'
Stadium: Isotopes Park
Attendance: 7,558
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
August
[edit]
August 10 23 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–1 Detroit City FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Bennett Yellow card 56' 66' Report Morris 39'
Murphy Yellow card 54'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,990
Referee: Gerald Flores
August 17 24 Hartford Athletic 2–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Hartford, Connecticut
4:00 PM
Report
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium
Attendance: 4,933
Referee: Matthew Thompson
August 24 25 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–2 Indy Eleven Las Vegas, NV
7:30 PM
Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 4,532
Referee: Trevor Wiseman
August 31 26 Orange County SC 2–3 Las Vegas Lights FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM Scott Yellow card 6'
Zubak 11', 19'
Powers Yellow card 37'
Norris Yellow card 77'
Report Bennett 39' (pen.) 63'
Shutler 87' (o.g.)
Gyau Yellow card 90'+3'
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 3,579
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
September
[edit]
September 11 27 FC Tulsa 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Tulsa, Oklahoma
6:30 PM Diallo Yellow card 31'
St. Clair Yellow card 35'
Yosef 38'
Report Doody Yellow card 57'
Howell Yellow card 76'
Gannon 78'
Stadium: ONEOK Field
Attendance: 2,663
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
September 14 28 Las Vegas Lights 0-0 Monterey Bay FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Smart Yellow card 15' Report Volesky Yellow card 33'
Gnaulati Yellow card 52'
Gonzalez Yellow card 77'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
September 21 29 Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1 Sacramento Republic FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Bennett 29'
Noël Yellow card 59'
Pinzon 71'
Jabang Yellow card 73'
Report Phillips 9'
Ukaegbu Red card 76'
Portillo Yellow card 81'
Viader Yellow card 90'+1'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 2,240
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
September 28 30 Phoenix Rising FC 1-2 Las Vegas Lights FC Phoenix, Arizona
6:30 PM
Report
Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium
Referee: Calin Radosav
October
[edit]
October 5 31 Las Vegas Lights FC 1-1 Orange County SC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM Bennett 26' Report Hegardt 16'
Chattha Yellow card 35'
Partida Yellow card 37'
Nakkim Yellow card 71'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Gerald Flores
October 13 32 Birmingham Legion FC 0-3 Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham, Alabama
2:00 PM Hernandez-Foster Yellow card 5'
Rufe Yellow card 45'
Tabortetaka Yellow card 64'
Report Gyau 18'
Bennett Yellow card 73'
Gannon 87'
Pinzon 90'+3'
Stadium: Protective Stadium
Attendance: 4,761
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
October 19 33 Las Vegas Lights FC 2-3 Oakland Roots SC Las Vegas, Nevada
Hackshaw 12' (o.g.)
Noël 90'+4'
Report Rodriguez 3', 72'
Njie Yellow card 36'
Diaz Yellow card 89'
Donasiyano Yellow card 90'+3'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 2,878
Referee: Brandon Stevis
October 26 34 North Carolina FC 2-1 Las Vegas Lights FC Cary, North Carolina
4:00 PM Craig 12'
Martin Yellow card 32'
Anderson 45' Yellow card 45'+1'
Perez Yellow card 63'
McGuire Yellow card 76'
Mentzingen Yellow card 78'
Batista Yellow card 90'+8'
Report Bennett 9'
Smart Yellow card 37'
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Referee: Matthew Thompson

Playoffs

[edit]
November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01) Western Quarterfinals Las Vegas Lights FC v Sacramento Republic FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Report Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Elton Garcia

U.S. Open Cup

[edit]

As a member of the USL Championship, the Las Vegas Lights entered the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round.[10] It was announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation on April 4, 2024, that the Lights would face off against a member of the USL League One from Washington called the Spokane Velocity FC, a team in the third division of U.S. soccer.[11] After winning 2-1 against Spokane at home,[12][13] they were drawn on April 18 to play against Major League Soccer club, and eventual tournament winner, Los Angeles FC.[14][15] The Lights would end up losing 1-3 at home.[16]

April 17 Third Round Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) Nevada 2–1 (a.e.t.)Washington (state) Spokane Velocity FC (USL1) Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM
Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 1,197
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
May 8 Round of 32Las Vegas Lights FC Nevada1–3 California Los Angeles FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM
Report
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 3,495
Referee: James Duling

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ex-Jay Bautista flips to soccer; buys Vegas Lights". ESPN.com. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  2. ^ Seeman, Matthew (2024-01-16). "Las Vegas Lights FC sold to ex-baseball star Jose Bautista". KSNV. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  3. ^ "Las Vegas Lights acquired by former MLB All-Star". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  4. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (2024-01-29). "Las Vegas Lights FC appoints Dennis Sanchez as new Head Coach". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  5. ^ Seeman, Matthew (2024-01-29). "Las Vegas Lights FC name Dennis Sanchez as new head coach". KSNV. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  6. ^ Brewer, Ray (2024-01-29). "New Las Vegas Lights coach familiar with developing younger talent". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  7. ^ "Lights FC New Roster Signings". Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Las Vegas Lights FC Appoints Gianleonardo Neglia as Sporting Director". Lights FC Communications. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  9. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (2023-12-18). "USL Championship Unveils 2024 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  10. ^ "U.S. Soccer Sets Third Round Schedule for 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  11. ^ Producer, Alexa Teneyck SWX Local Sports Digital (2024-04-05). "Spokane Velocity FC set to face Las Vegas Lights FC in Round 3 of U.S. Open Cup". Nonstop Local SWX Sports. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  12. ^ "2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Las Vegas Lights overcome stunning equalizer, beat Spokane Velocity in OT, 2-1". thecup.us. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  13. ^ "Spokane Velocity's run in U.S. Open cup ends in loss at Las Vegas 2-1 | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  14. ^ Baxter, Kevin (2024-05-07). "Las Vegas Lights rebuild quickly and face a familiar foe in LAFC in U.S. Open Cup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  15. ^ "Lights FC ready for 'great test' against MLS powerhouse". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  16. ^ "Las Vegas Lights fall to LAFC 3-1 In U.S. Open Cup". Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-19.