2024 Las Vegas Lights FC season
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Las Vegas Lights FC 2024 soccer 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 was the club's seventh 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]
Roster
- 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
| Title | Name | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | José Bautista |  Dominican Republic |
| Sporting director | Gianleonardo Neglia |  Italy[8] |
| Head coach | Dennis Sanchez |  United States |
| Assistant coach | Gerson Echeverry |  Colombia |
| Assistant coach | Ivan Mirkovic |  Serbia |
| Goalkeeping coach | Armando Quezada | United States |
Competitions
USL Championship
Main article: 2024 USL Championship season
Standings
| 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
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
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
Memphis 901 FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| March 9 1 | Memphis 901 FC | 2–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Memphis, Tennessee |
| 1:00 PM | Careaga  33' Pickering 44' Duncan  46' Ward 80' |
Report | Noël 22' Azcona 40' |
Stadium: AutoZone Park Attendance: 3,290 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
Las Vegas Lights FC v FC Tulsa
| March 16 2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–3 | FC Tulsa | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 5:00 PM | Alba 60' Smart 85' Berumen 90'+5' |
Report | Stojanovic 11' 14' Goodrum 25' Yosef 56' Worth 90' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,675 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
Las Vegas Lights FC v El Paso Locomotive FC
| March 23 3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–0 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 5:00 PM | Garcia 33' (o.g.) Ngando 36' Smart 77' Gue 90'+7' |
Report | Hinds 32' Stauffer 65' Akinyode 67' Dollenmayer 72' Alfaro 78' Zacarias 84' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,070 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
Oakland Roots SC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| March 30 4 | Oakland Roots SC | 0–3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Hayward, California |
| 7:00 PM | Nije 20' |
Report | Klimenta 30' Gannon 46' Samake 50' Azcona 63' Noël 66' 69' Smart 76' Nigro 90'+2' |
Stadium: Pioneer Stadium Attendance: 2,812 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
April
Las Vegas Lights FC v San Antonio FC
| April 6 5 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–0 | San Antonio FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Azcona 17' Garcia 54' Smart 56' |
Report | Haakenson 38' Silva 50' Lambert 55' Agudelo 76' Taintor 77' Lacey 90+6' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,436 Referee: Greg Dopka |
Monterey Bay FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| 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 |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Rhode Island FC
| 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 |
Charleston Battery v Las Vegas Lights FC
| 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 24' Adams 45'+5' |
Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 4,520 Referee: Joe Surgan |
May
Las Vegas Lights FC v New Mexico United
| May 4 9 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–2 | New Mexico United | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 6:30 PM | Adams 23' Samake 44' 72' Gannon 65' Kimenta 72' |
Report | Bruce 13' 30' Herbert 39' Astorga 82' Tabakis 89' Dubois 90'+4' Bailey 90'+4' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,061 Referee: Brad Jensen |
San Antonio FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| May 11 10 | San Antonio FC | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | San Antonio, Texas |
| 6:00 PM | Burks 38' Marcina 45' Chol 45+2' Hernández 47'  48' Lambert 82' |
Report | Klimenta 13' Nigro 45' Noël 59' |
Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 7,218 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Louisville City FC
| May 18 11 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–2 | Louisville City FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Noël 16' Adams 36' Smart 55' |
Report | Davila 7' Harris 48' Adams 62' Serrano 70' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,048 Referee: Joshua Encarnacion Assistant referees: Stephen McGonagle Assistant referees: William Aten Fourth official: Pavel Georgiev |
Tampa Bay Rowdies v Las Vegas Lights FC
| May 25 12 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 1–0 | Las Vegas Lights FC | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| 4:30 PM | Munjoma 56' Worth 81' Jennings 85' |
Report | Nigro 31' Smart 68' Azcona 71' |
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,753 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
June
Las Vegas Lights FC v Phoenix Rising FC
| 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 |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Miami FC
| 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: Lorenzo Hernandez |
Loudoun United FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| June 14 15 | Loudoun United FC | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 7:00 PM | McCabe 24' 52' Ryan 45'+6' |
Report | Gannon 2' Bennett 36' Howell 43' |
Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,580 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
| June 18 16 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 3–3 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 6:30 PM | Report | Huerman 6' 22' Santos 8' Henríquez 31' Lacroix 53' Damus 89' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,339 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Memphis 901 FC
| June 22 17 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–1 | Memphis 901 FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Adams 54' Howell 74' Bennett 80' (pen.) Azcona 83' Bennett 90' |
Report | Lapa 43' 90'+3' Hyndman 62' Paul 63' Fernando 69' Careaga 72' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,657 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
| June 29 18 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–0 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett 26' 40' 87' Romero 90'+1' |
Report | Osumanu 14' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,893 Referee: John Griggs |
July
Sacramento Republic FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| July 3 19 | Sacramento Republic FC | 0–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Sacramento, California |
| 7:30 PM | Phillips 80' Portillo 90'+4' |
Report | Pinzon 10' Ngando 70' Arozarena 71' Nigro 75' |
Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 8,988 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
El Paso Locomotive FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| July 12 20 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 0–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | El Paso, Texas |
| 7:30 PM | Craig 2' Borelli 59' |
Report | Gannon 64' Stauffer 83' (o.g.) Pinzón 89' |
Stadium: Southwest University Park Attendance: 6,727 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks v Las Vegas Lights FC
| July 26 21 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| 6:00 PM | Fjeldberg 30' 45'+1' Real 53' Hanya 58' |
Report | Smart 26' 73' Doody 61' Jabang 86' |
Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 8,023 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
New Mexico United v Las Vegas Lights FC
| July 31 22 | New Mexico United | 1–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 6:00 PM | Bruce 45'+5' Houssou 85' |
Report | Pinzón 4' 66' Noël 12' Nigro 79' Jabang 90' |
Stadium: Isotopes Park Attendance: 7,558 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
August
Las Vegas Lights FC v Detroit City FC
| August 10 23 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–1 | Detroit City FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett 56' 66' |
Report | Morris 39' Murphy 54' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,990 Referee: Gerald Flores |
Hartford Athletic v Las Vegas Lights FC
| 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 |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Indy Eleven
| 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 |
Orange County SC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| August 31 26 | Orange County SC | 2–3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Irvine, California |
| 7:00 PM | Scott 6' Zubak 11', 19' Powers 37' Norris 77' |
Report | Bennett 39' (pen.) 63' Shutler 87' (o.g.) Gyau 90'+3' |
Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium Attendance: 3,579 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
September
FC Tulsa v Las Vegas Lights FC
| September 11 27 | FC Tulsa | 1–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| 6:30 PM | Diallo 31' St. Clair 35' Yosef 38' |
Report | Doody 57' Howell 76' Gannon 78' |
Stadium: ONEOK Field Attendance: 2,663 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
Las Vegas Lights v Monterey Bay FC
| September 14 28 | Las Vegas Lights | 0–0 | Monterey Bay FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Smart 15' |
Report | Volesky 33' Gnaulati 52' Gonzalez 77' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,627 Referee: Adam Kilpatrick |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Sacramento Republic FC
| September 21 29 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 2–1 | Sacramento Republic FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett 29' Noël 59' Pinzon 71' Jabang 73' |
Report | Phillips 9' Ukaegbu  76' Portillo 81' Viader 90'+1' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,240 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
Phoenix Rising FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| September 28 30 | Phoenix Rising FC | 1–2 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 6:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium Attendance: 6,073 Referee: Calin Radosav |
October
Las Vegas Lights FC v Orange County SC
| October 5 31 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–1 | Orange County SC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Bennett 26' |
Report | Hegardt 16' Chattha 35' Partida 37' Nakkim 71' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,828 Referee: Gerald Flores |
Birmingham Legion FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| October 13 32 | Birmingham Legion FC | 0–3 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Birmingham, Alabama |
| 2:00 PM | Hernandez-Foster 5' Rufe 45' Tabortetaka 64' |
Report | Gyau 18' Bennett 73' Gannon 87' Pinzon 90'+3' |
Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 4,761 Referee: Ricardo Fierro |
Las Vegas Lights FC v Oakland Roots SC
| 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 36' Diaz 89' Donasiyano 90'+3' |
Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 2,878 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
North Carolina FC v Las Vegas Lights FC
| October 26 34 | North Carolina FC | 2–1 | Las Vegas Lights FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 4:00 PM | Craig 12' Martin 32' Anderson 45' 45'+1' Perez 63' McGuire 76' Mentzingen 78' Batista 90'+8' |
Report | Bennett 9' Smart 37' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 6,083 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
Playoffs
Las Vegas Lights FC v Sacramento Republic FC
| November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01) 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 | ||||
New Mexico United v Las Vegas Lights FC
| November 9, 2024 (2024-11-09) 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 |
Colorado Springs Switchbacks v Las Vegas Lights FC
| November 16, 2024 (2024-11-16) 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
Main article: 2024 U.S. Open Cup
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]
Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) 
v 
Spokane Velocity FC (USL1)
v 
Spokane Velocity FC (USL1)
| April 17 Third Round | Las Vegas Lights FC (USLC) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Spokane Velocity FC (USL1) | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 1,197 Referee: Alexis Da Silva |
Las Vegas Lights FC v 
Los Angeles FC
v 
Los Angeles FC
| May 8 Round of 32 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 1–3 | Los Angeles FC | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Cashman Field Attendance: 3,495 Referee: James Duling |
References
- ↑ "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.
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