2020 Las Vegas Lights FC season

Last updated

Las Vegas Lights FC
2020 season
General managerBrett Lashbrook
Head coach Eric Wynalda (until June 17, 2020) Frank Yallop (June 29-present)
Stadium Cashman Field
USL Group B: 5th
Western Conf.: 15th
USL Cup Playoffs Did not qualify
U.S. Open Cup Cancelled
Silver State Cup Runner-Up
Top goalscorerLeague: Yamikani Chester
All: Yamikani Chester
Biggest win LV 3–1 TAC (August 19)
LV 3–1 OC (August 25)
Biggest defeat PHX 5–1 LV (September 11)
  2019
2021  

The 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC season was the club's third season, and their third season in the United Soccer League Championship (USLC), the second division of American soccer. This article covers the period from November 18, 2019, the day after the 2019 USLC Playoff Final, to the conclusion of the 2020 USLC Playoff Final, scheduled for November 12–16, 2020. [1]

Contents

Summary

The Las Vegas Lights played their first match of the USL Season against USL expansion side San Diego Loyal, who were making their USL debut. The Las Vegas Lights opened the scoring when Junior Burgos scored a fantastic 40-yard effort in off the crossbar, the USL Goal of the Week and a possible USL Goal of the Year contender. San Diego Loyal soon equalized in the 15th minute when a Charles Adams shot took a deflection of a Las Vegas defender and went in past Delgado. [2]

After the season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lights had poor losing performances in a 2–1 loss to San Diego Loyal and 1–0 loss to in-state rivals Reno 1868 FC. Because of positive COVID-19 cases, matches against San Diego Loyal and Tacoma Defiance were delayed. The club lost 1-0 again to Orange County SC, with both goalies making important saves. Las Vegas finally won their first match of the season against Tacoma Defiance, 3–1. Burgos opened the scoring through a far shot that deflected of Taylor Mueller in the 19th minute. The Lights then doubled their lead after a center by Yamikani Chester was tapped in by Rashawn Dally. Later in the match, Junior Sandoval scored after being assisted by Blake Frischknecht. In the 84th minute, Azriel Gonzalez got a goal back that squeezed through Lights keeper Thomas Olsen. [3]

The club continued their run of form with a 3–3 draw against first place in Group B Phoenix Rising FC. Phoenix scored early through a shot by Rufat Dadashov, assisted by Solomon Asante. Lights keeper Edward Delgado made several decisive saves against Junior Flemmings, but Flemmings scored in the 68th minute from a lob. The Las Vegas Lights got a goal back from Chester, and soon after Junior Burgos hit the crossbar from a free kick. In the 90th minute Solomon Asante converted a penalty. The Las Vegas Lights then scored in stoppage time as a header by Chester hit of A. J. Cochran for an own goal. The club then equalized after a deflected free kick came to Ramon Martin Del Campo. [4]

After the Phoenix draw, Vegas went down 1–0 to Orange County after a penalty converted by Aodhan Quinn. Las Vegas soon equalized after Del Campo scored from a corner. Substitute Frischknecht then scored a low shot assisted by Dally, before Junior Sandoval added gloss to the win in stoppage-time, making it 3–1. The Las Vegas Lights then lost a closely contested 4-3 thriller against LA Galaxy II, with lights player Raul Mendiola hitting the post in stoppage time. After a 1–1 draw with San Diego loyal (in which Blake Frischknecht scored his 4th goal or assist in 3 games) the club lost 2–0 to Phoenix Rising at home. In the away match, they lost 5–1, their worst result of their season to date. The Lights then lost a 2-goal lead against LA Galaxy II and ended up losing 3–2, with Augustine Williams netting a late penalty. [5]

Las Vegas were eliminated from the play-offs after a 1–0 loss to Orange County SC, in which Mobi Fehr and Seth Moses being sent off. After San Diego Loyal beat Phoenix Rising 3–2, the lights could not finish above fifth. Vegas then had a 2–2 draw with La Galaxy II. Sandoval scored after collecting a long ball from Jordan Murrell. LA Galaxy turned the game around with two quick goals in the 71st and 81st minute. In stoppage-time, Dally equalized after some good dribbling by José Carrera García. [6] Las Vegas then played rivals Reno 1868. The lights took the lead early through Junior Burgos but soon Reno equalized from Foster Langsdorf. The lights scored again from Yamikani Chester but Reno equalized soon after again from Kevin Partida. The score finished 2-2 and Reno won the Silver State Cup. The lights lost the final match of the season 4–2 to Orange County. Fans were permitted for the match, at limited capacity. [7]

Squad

As of September 28, 2020 [8]
No.PositionNationPlayer
0 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Edward Delgado
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Thomas Olsen
2 DF Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX Ramon Martin Del Campo
3 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Johnny Fenwick
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Gabe Robinson
5 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Javan Torre
6 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Mobi Fehr
7 MF Flag of Honduras (2022-).svg  HON Junior Sandoval
8 MF Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX José Carrera
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Blake Frischknecht
10 MF Flag of El Salvador.svg  SLV Junior Burgos
11 FW Flag of Malawi.svg  MWI Yamikani Chester
12 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Jordan Murrell
14 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Bryan de la Fuente
15 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Grant Robinson
17 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jaiden Waggoner
20 DF Flag of New Zealand.svg  NZL Noah Billingsley (on loan from Minnesota United FC)
22 FW Flag of Liberia.svg  LBR Seku Conneh
23 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Alex Culwell
25 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Quincy Amarikwa
29 FW Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Santiago Echavarría
32 MF Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX Jonathan Levin
36 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Seth Moses
40 FW Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX Raúl Mendiola
58 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Angel Alvarez
66 DF Flag of Burundi.svg  BDI Chancel Ndaye
81 FW Flag of Jamaica.svg  JAM Rashawn Dally (on loan from FC Cincinnati)

Competitions

Exhibitions

February 8Preseason 1 Real Salt Lake v Las Vegas Lights FC Herriman, Utah
PST
Note: Result not made public.

USL Championship

Standings — Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1 Phoenix Rising FC 1611234617+29352.19Advance to USL Championship Playoffs
2 LA Galaxy II 1682629323261.63
3 Orange County SC 1673618180241.50
4 San Diego Loyal SC 1665517181231.44
5 Las Vegas Lights FC 16259243410110.69
Source: USL

Match results

On December 20, 2019, the USL announced the 2020 season schedule, creating the following fixture list for the early part of Las Vegas' season. [9]

March 71 San Diego Loyal SC 1–1 Las Vegas Lights FC San Diego, California
7:00 PM PST Adams Soccerball shade.svg15'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Report Burgos Soccerball shade.svg4'
Sandoval Yellow card.svg 29'
Torre Yellow card.svg 55'
Stadium: Torero Stadium
Attendance: 6,100
Referee: Elton Garcia

In the preparations for the resumption of league play following the shutdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the remainder of Las Vegas' schedule was announced on July 2. [10]

July 252 San Diego Loyal SC 2–1 Las Vegas Lights FC San Diego, California
7:00 PM PST Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg9'
Adams Yellow card.svg 54'
Parra Soccerball shade.svg65'
Kempin Yellow card.svg 81'
Report Sandoval Yellow card.svg 17'
Dally Soccerball shade.svg45+6'
Fenwick Yellow card.svg 84'
Stadium: Torero Stadium
Referee: Joseph Salinas
August 13 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–1 Reno 1868 FC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Mendiola Yellow card.svg 81' Report Richards Soccerball shade.svg18'Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Michael Radchuk
August 125 Las Vegas Lights FC P–P Tacoma Defiance Las Vegas, Nevada
TBA PM PDT Stadium: Cashman Field
Note: Match postponed due to positive covid-19 test result with the Las Vegas Lights organization. [11]
August 195 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–1 Tacoma Defiance Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Burgos Soccerball shade.svg19'
Dally Soccerball shade.svg30'
Sandoval Soccerball shade.svg67'
Report Cissoko Yellow card.svg 68'
Gonzalez Soccerball shade.svg84'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Karen Callado
Note: Reschedule of postponed August 12th match. [12]
August 227 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–3 Phoenix Rising FC Las Vegas, Nevada
8:30 PM PDT Chester Soccerball shade.svg80'
Moses Yellow card.svg 84'
Cochran Soccerball shade.svg90+6' (o.g.)
del Campo Soccerball shade.svg90+9'
Report Dadashov Soccerball shade.svg4'
King Yellow card.svg 22'
Kontoh Yellow card.svg 59'
Flemmings Soccerball shade.svg68'
Stanton Yellow card.svg 74'
Asante Soccerball shade.svg90' (pen.)
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Malik Badawi
August 258 Las Vegas Lights FC 3–1 Orange County SC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:00 PM PDT del Campo Soccerball shade.svg18'
Gr. Robinson Yellow card.svg 52'
Fenwick Yellow card.svg 62'
Burgos Soccerball shade cross.svg68'
Frischknecht Soccerball shade.svg84'
Sandoval Soccerball shade.svg90+2'
Report Quinn Soccerball shade.svg12' (pen.)
Alston Yellow card.svg 60'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Brandon Stevis
September 24 Las Vegas Lights FC 1–1 San Diego Loyal SC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Billingsley Yellow card.svg 69'
Frischknecht Soccerball shade.svg73'
Torre Yellow card.svg 90+5'
Report C. Martin Yellow card.svg 53', Soccerball shade.svg57'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 72'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Jonathan Bilinski
September 510 Las Vegas Lights FC 0–2 Phoenix Rising FC Las Vegas, Nevada
6:30 PM PDT Fehr Yellow card.svg 45+1'
Sandoval Yellow card.svg 50'
de la Fuente Yellow card.svg 52'
Amarikwa Yellow card.svg 90'
Report King Yellow card.svg 14'
Olsen Soccerball shade.svg53' (o.g.)
Cochran Yellow card.svg 73'
Bakero Yellow card.svg 74'
Dadashov Soccerball shade.svg90+4'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: William Hoffman
September 1111 Phoenix Rising FC 5–1 Las Vegas Lights FC Scottsdale, Arizona
7:30 PM PDT Dadashov Soccerball shade.svg27', Soccerball shade.svg44'
Flemmings Soccerball shade.svg55'
Stanton Soccerball shade.svg57'
Bakero Soccerball shade.svg72' (pen.)
Farrell Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Report Moses Yellow card.svg 41'
Fenwick Yellow card.svg 71'
de la Fuente Soccerball shade.svg82'
Stadium: Casino Arizona Field
Referee: Isaiah Vlad
September 1512 LA Galaxy II 3–2 Las Vegas Lights FC Carson, California
7:00 PM PDT Williams Soccerball shade.svg37', Soccerball shade.svg84' (pen.)
Perez Soccerball shade.svg62'
Nava Yellow card.svg 65'
Report Moses Soccerball shade.svg22'
Chester Soccerball shade.svg28'
Delgado Yellow card.svg 83'
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Referee: Brandon Stevis
September 1813 Orange County SC 1–0 Las Vegas Lights FC Irvine, California
7:00 PM PDT Orozco Yellow card.svg 43'
Jones Soccerball shade.svg63'
Okoli Yellow card.svg 64'
Quinn Yellow card.svg 69'
Smith Yellow card.svg 81'
Report Fehr Red card.svg 29'
Moses Yellow card.svg 46' Yellow-red card.svg 59'
Torre Yellow card.svg 54'
Burgos Yellow card.svg 67'
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Referee: Omeed Azadpour
September 2614 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–2 LA Galaxy II Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Sandoval Soccerball shade.svg39'
Levin Yellow card.svg 74'
Burgos Yellow card.svg 88'
Dally Soccerball shade.svg90+3'
Report Cuevas Yellow card.svg 55'
Williams Soccerball shade.svg71'
Perez Soccerball shade.svg81'
Stadium: Cashman Field
Referee: Brad Jensen
October 316 Las Vegas Lights FC 2–4 Orange County SC Las Vegas, Nevada
7:30 PM PDT Mendiola Soccerball shade.svg24', 66'
Fehr Yellow card.svg 30'
Sandoval Yellow card.svg 73'
Murrell Red card.svg 90+3'
Report Hoffman Soccerball shade.svg17', 21', 27'
Henry Yellow card.svg 37'
Casiple Yellow card.svg 68' Yellow-red card.svg 76'
Quinn Soccerball shade.svg90+2' (pen.)
Stadium: Cashman Field
Attendance: 250
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal

U.S. Open Cup

As a USL Championship club, Las Vegas will enter the competition in the Second Round, to be played April 7–9. [13]

References

  1. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". January 9, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  2. "Scores".
  3. "Scores".
  4. "Scores".
  5. "Scores".
  6. "Scores".
  7. "Scores".
  8. "Lights FC 2020 Roster". Las Vegas Lights FC. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  9. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  10. "2020 Schedule Announcement". lasvegaslightsfc.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  11. "Tacoma Defiance Match on August 12 at Las Vegas Postponed". tacomadefiance.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  12. "Tacoma Defiance Match on August 12 at Las Vegas Postponed". tacomadefiance.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  13. "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  14. "2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup cancelled due to COVID-19". ussoccer.com. August 17, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.