2024 Las Vegas Lights FC season
2024 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Principal Owner | José Bautista | ||
Head coach | Dennis Sanchez | ||
Stadium | Cashman Field | ||
USL | Western Conference: 4th | ||
USL Cup Playoffs | Western Conference Finalists | ||
U.S. Open Cup | Round of 32 | ||
| |||
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; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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- ^ USL Academy contract
Staff
[edit]Title | Name | Nation |
---|---|---|
Owner | José Bautista | ![]() |
Sporting director | Gianleonardo Neglia | ![]() |
Head coach | Dennis Sánchez | ![]() |
Assistant coach | Gerson Echeverry | ![]() |
Assistant coach | Ivan Mirkovic | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | Armando Quezada | ![]() |
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 |
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 ![]() Pickering ![]() Duncan ![]() Ward ![]() |
Report | Noël ![]() Azcona ![]() |
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 ![]() Smart ![]() Berumen ![]() |
Report | Stojanovic ![]() ![]() Goodrum ![]() Yosef ![]() Worth ![]() |
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 ![]() Ngando ![]() Smart ![]() Gue ![]() |
Report | Hinds ![]() Stauffer ![]() Akinyode ![]() Dollenmayer ![]() Alfaro ![]() Zacarias ![]() |
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 ![]() |
Report | Klimenta ![]() Gannon ![]() Samake ![]() Azcona ![]() Noël ![]() ![]() Smart ![]() Nigro ![]() |
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 ![]() Garcia ![]() Smart ![]() |
Report | Haakenson ![]() Silva ![]() Lambert ![]() Agudelo ![]() Taintor ![]() Lacey ![]() |
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 ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Myers ![]() Molloy ![]() |
Report | Arozarena ![]() Adams ![]() |
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 ![]() Samake ![]() ![]() Gannon ![]() Kimenta ![]() |
Report | Bruce ![]() ![]() Herbert ![]() Astorga ![]() Tabakis ![]() Dubois ![]() Bailey ![]() |
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 ![]() Marcina ![]() Chol ![]() Hernández ![]() ![]() Lambert ![]() |
Report | Klimenta ![]() Nigro ![]() Noël ![]() |
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 ![]() Adams ![]() Smart ![]() |
Report | Davila ![]() Harris ![]() Adams ![]() Serrano ![]() |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,048 Referee: Joshua Encarnacion Assistant referees: Stephen McGonagle 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 ![]() Worth ![]() Jennings ![]() |
Report | Nigro ![]() Smart ![]() Azcona ![]() |
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 |
|
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,748 Referee: ![]() |
June 14 15 | Loudoun United FC | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Leesburg, Virginia |
7:00 PM | McCabe ![]() ![]() Ryan ![]() |
Report | Gannon ![]() Bennett ![]() Howell ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() Santos ![]() Henríquez ![]() Lacroix ![]() Damus ![]() |
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 ![]() Howell ![]() Bennett ![]() Azcona ![]() Bennett ![]() |
Report | Lapa ![]() ![]() Hyndman ![]() Paul ![]() Fernando ![]() Careaga ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() ![]() Romero ![]() |
Report | Osumanu ![]() |
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 ![]() Portillo ![]() |
Report | Pinzon ![]() Ngando ![]() Arozarena ![]() Nigro ![]() |
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 ![]() Borelli ![]() |
Report | Gannon ![]() Stauffer ![]() Pinzón ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() Real ![]() Hanya ![]() |
Report | Smart ![]() ![]() Doody ![]() Jabang ![]() |
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 ![]() Houssou ![]() |
Report | Pinzón ![]() ![]() Noël ![]() Nigro ![]() Jabang ![]() |
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 ![]() ![]() |
Report | Morris ![]() Murphy ![]() |
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 ![]() Zubak ![]() Powers ![]() Norris ![]() |
Report | Bennett ![]() ![]() Shutler ![]() Gyau ![]() |
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 ![]() St. Clair ![]() Yosef ![]() |
Report | Doody ![]() Howell ![]() Gannon ![]() |
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 ![]() |
Report | Volesky ![]() Gnaulati ![]() Gonzalez ![]() |
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 ![]() Noël ![]() Pinzon ![]() Jabang ![]() |
Report | Phillips ![]() Ukaegbu ![]() Portillo ![]() Viader ![]() |
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 ![]() |
Report | Hegardt ![]() Chattha ![]() Partida ![]() Nakkim ![]() |
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 ![]() Rufe ![]() Tabortetaka ![]() |
Report | Gyau ![]() Bennett ![]() Gannon ![]() Pinzon ![]() |
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 ![]() Noël ![]() |
Report | Rodriguez ![]() Njie ![]() Diaz ![]() Donasiyano ![]() |
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 ![]() Martin ![]() Anderson ![]() ![]() Perez ![]() McGuire ![]() Mentzingen ![]() Batista ![]() |
Report | Bennett ![]() Smart ![]() |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Referee: Matthew Thompson |
Playoffs
[edit]November 1, 2024 Conference Quarterfinals | Las Vegas Lights FC | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p) | Sacramento Republic FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM PDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,415 Referee: Elton Garcia |
Penalties | ||||
November 9, 2024 Conference Semifinals | New Mexico United | 0–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
7:30 PM MST | Report | Stadium: Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park Attendance: 10,049 Referee: Natalie Simon |
November 16, 2024 Conference Finals | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 1–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
7:00 PM (MST) | Report | Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 8,023 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) ![]() | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,197 Referee: Alexis Da Silva |
May 8 Round of 32 | Las Vegas Lights FC ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() | Las Vegas, Nevada |
7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 3,495 Referee: James Duling |
References
[edit]- ^ "Ex-Jay Bautista flips to soccer; buys Vegas Lights". ESPN.com. January 16, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Seeman, Matthew (January 16, 2024). "Las Vegas Lights FC sold to ex-baseball star Jose Bautista". KSNV. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Las Vegas Lights acquired by former MLB All-Star". Las Vegas Review-Journal. January 16, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (January 29, 2024). "Las Vegas Lights FC appoints Dennis Sanchez as new Head Coach". USL Championship. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Seeman, Matthew (January 29, 2024). "Las Vegas Lights FC name Dennis Sanchez as new head coach". KSNV. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Brewer, Ray (January 29, 2024). "New Las Vegas Lights coach familiar with developing younger talent". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Lights FC New Roster Signings". Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Las Vegas Lights FC Appoints Gianleonardo Neglia as Sporting Director". Lights FC Communications. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ USLChampionship com Staff (December 18, 2023). "USL Championship Unveils 2024 Regular Season Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Soccer Sets Third Round Schedule for 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Producer, Alexa Teneyck SWX Local Sports Digital (April 5, 2024). "Spokane Velocity FC set to face Las Vegas Lights FC in Round 3 of U.S. Open Cup". Nonstop Local SWX Sports. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "2024 US Open Cup Round 3: Las Vegas Lights overcome stunning equalizer, beat Spokane Velocity in OT, 2–1". thecup.us. April 18, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Spokane Velocity's run in U.S. Open cup ends in loss at Las Vegas 2–1 | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Baxter, Kevin (May 7, 2024). "Las Vegas Lights rebuild quickly and face a familiar foe in LAFC in U.S. Open Cup". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Lights FC ready for 'great test' against MLS powerhouse". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 7, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ "Las Vegas Lights fall to LAFC 3–1 In U.S. Open Cup". Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. May 9, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.