2020 Las Vegas Lights FC Preview
The Las Vegas Lights FC is set to kick off the third season in their history with a marquee matchup for USL Championship between Las Vegas, and expansion franchise San Diego Loyal SC, which will be nationally televised on ESPNews this Saturday night from Torero Stadium in San Diego.
“As we get closer, you can feel the excitement in our group. You feel the edge that this is a week where we’re working for a game with three points on the line,” said Lights FC manager Eric Wynalda. “The challenge for us is to keep the guys focused regardless of the attention this game is getting, for various reasons. We have to lock in on our objective, which is to play well and come home with three points.”
This match will be the first opportunity to play in an official capacity for a revamped Lights FC roster that has been bolstered with experienced players in the professional ranks that come in with a win-now mentality.
“Everyone on our squad is working hard. We’re so close to our first match, and everyone is trying to be a part of our lineup,” stated newcomer Ramon Martin Del Campo. “We all want to win, and I want to do everything in my power to do so. That’s what Eric wants — have a group of warriors that are going to battle for him and for this city.”
The Lights FC exercised the contract options for the 2020 USL Championship season for seven players from their 2019 roster: goalkeeper Thomas Olsen, defenders Gabe Robinson, Javan Torre, and Jonathan Levin, midfielders Junior Sandoval and Edwin Rivas, and forward Santiago Echavarría.
Las Vegas declined options on goalkeeper Angel Alvarez, defenders Bryan De La Fuente, Kevin Garcia Lopez, and Christian Torres, midfielders Pablo Cruz, Panzani Sousa, and Victor Rojas, and forwards Sammy Ochoa and Irvin Parra. Also, the contracts of Adam Hobbs, Mobi Fehr, Tabort Etaka Preston, and Jose Villarreal expired at the end of the season, and they are not returning.
Saturday nights match-up will pit two U.S. Men’s National Team legends in the technical areas, with Eric Wynalda coaching Lights FC for a second consecutive season and Landon Donovan making his managerial debut with Loyal SC. Having these two men’s teams face each other will garner a lot of attention tonight.
“There’s a ton of storylines pre-game, and there will certainly be more post-game. This is a good match right out of the gates for us, playing a game of this magnitude with the kind of focus it has being on national television,” added Wynalda. “There’s plenty of reasons to be nervous, but this group is ready. We want to win and earn the maximum three points”.
Lights FC News, Notes and Nuggets:
The Lights FC once again is making Las Vegas history. Do you want to put your child’s face on the jersey? Do you want to tell your wife how much you love her? Do you want to promote a cause that’s near and dear to your heart? Do you want to create something for your design resume? Or maybe you just want to become famous?
The only rule is simple — keep it within the realm of reasonableness (so the League Office doesn’t ban it!). Don’t be stupid or from Reno; the team won’t take your money. (Sorry Reno fans — all of your inevitable stupid ideas are banned!)
If you want to design your jersey go to LightsFC.com/HighestBid to learn more and bid for the right to design the jersey to be worn by Lights FC for a match later this season. All current Lights FC sponsor logos on the front and sleeve areas must remain on the jersey (e.g., Zappos on the chest and Jarritos & USL Championship on the sleeves). However, the back of the jersey may potentially include third-party sponsor logos above and below the players’ name & number locations.
“Believe it, folks. The Most Interesting Team in America trusts its fans so much we’re giving you the power of the design — so make us proud!” said Lights FC Owner & C.E.O. Brett Lashbrook. “We are the first team in sports history to design a different jersey for every home match, so we can’t wait to see what the highest bidder designs!”
As previously announced, Lights FC will wear a different jersey during each 2020 Regular Season home match. The first two designs were part of a fan design contest. They featured bold confetti inspired designs from local 16-year old graphic design student Ryan Opelac from Southwest Career & Technical Academy.
Season tickets for the 2020 USL Championship season are available now starting at just $200 at LightsFC.com/SeasonTix or by calling 702-728-4625. Each season ticket includes a free official 2020 match jersey ($80 retail value), plus multiple other unique benefits. Lights FC was voted by Las Vegas Weekly as the 2019 Best Sports Value in Las Vegas.
-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media
2020 Las Vegas Lights FC 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC 2020 Las Vegas Lights FC
Joe Arrigo
Joe Arrigo is the co-founder and VP of Franchise Sports Media. Joe has been in media since 2004 when he became the morning host on KKUU and mid-days co-host on KXPS in Pam Springs. After his time in Palm Springs, Joe became the operations manager when he built, programmed, and was on-air for KQCM. He has also had stints on-air in various markets, including Fresno. Joe became the producer and co-host for The Beast 980 (KFWB), a sports talk station in Los Angeles, before moving to Vegas in 2015. In 2019 he founded Franchise Sports Media with TQ.
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