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.
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. 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.
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. A final preseason friendly was added to the schedule for March 2 against USL side Orange County SC for March 2.
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. 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. In Lights FC's final preseason friendly, Irvin Parra netted a brace for the club in a 2–1 victory over Orange County.
Club
No.PositionNationPlayer
Competitions Exhibitions All times in Pacific Time
USL Championship
Standings
Match results On December 19, 2018, the USL announced their 2019 season schedule.
All times in Pacific Time
U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL Championship, Las Vegas Lights entered the tournament in the Second Round.
Statistics Appearances Source:
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.NameLeaguePlayoffsU.S. Open CupTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals 1 GK Thomas Olsen1000001000 2 DF Miguel Palafox0000000000 3 DF Kevin Garcia-Lopez1000001000 4 DF Gabe Robinson1000001000 5 DF Javan Torre1000001000 7 MF Pablo Cruz1000001000 8 FW Edwin Rivas0000000000 9 FW Sammy Ochoa0000000000 10 MF Cristhian Hernández1000001000 11 MF Irvin Parra1000001010 14 MF Alex Harlley1000001000 15 DF Bryan de la Fuente0000000000 16 MF Lucas Scaglia1000001000 17 MF Bryan Arguez0000000000 19 FW Tabort Etaka Preston0 (1)000000 (1)000 20 FW Bin Adolf Enow0000000000 21 MF Matt Thomas0 (1)000000 (1)010 22 GK Angel Alvarez0000000000 23 DF Christian Torres1000001000 25 MF Panzani Sousa0 (1)000000 (1)000 28 MF Eric Gonzalez1000001000
Clean sheets The list is sorted by shirt number when total appearances are equal. PlayerUnited Soccer LeagueUSL PlayoffsU.S. Open CupTotal11 Thomas Olsen1001TOTALS1001
References