A Light Preview: Las Vegas Lights FC bring a ten-match losing streak to The Bay
With ten consecutive losses on their resume, Las Vegas Lights FC will look to upset Oakland Roots SC on the road tonight.
Las Vegas Lights FC (5-19-2)
As the calendar flipped to October, Las Vegas Lights FC have now gone two whole months since their last victory. An upset win vs. Orange County SC capped off the July schedule for the Lights and August began with a 2-2 draw vs. Phoenix Rising FC, another surprising result. Since that point on 8/7, it’s been ten straight losses for the LAFC affiliate. That streak alone holds more losses than 16 USL Championships this entire season.
To Las Vegas’ credit, they don’t look like a club that’s mailed it in. The players are still grinding and they’ve only been shutout twice in those ten losses. The issues primarily lie on the opposite end of the pitch.
The Lights have conceded 11 goals combined in the last three matches alone. During the ten-match losing streak, they’ve allowed THIRTY goals (the same or more than 11 clubs have conceded in their entire season thus far).
Vegas Player SpotLight
Julian Vazquez: He provided a jolt off the bench vs. San Diego last weekend, picking up an assist and a shot on goal in limited time. The 20-year-old Real Salt Lake Academy product could get another opportunity, depending on who is down on loan from the first team.
Oakland Roots SC (8-11-6)
Who You Should Know
Emrah Klimenta: A proven veteran in this league, the center-back leads Oakland with 73 clearances, 12 blocks, and 1,073 passes.
Paul Blanchette: Roots SC’s first-choice goalkeeper has two clean sheets and 44 saves in 14 appearances.
Johnny Rodriguez: He has two goals, including this highlight-reel bicycle kick on 9/22, and three assists this season.
What You Should Know
- 5th in the Pacific Division, one spot below a playoff position
- Only three losses in their last 13 matches
- 5th-fewest goals scored in the league, tied for 14th-most goals conceded
The Deets
Tonight, 7 PM PT, Laney College Football Stadium
Las Vegas Lights FC at Oakland Roots SC
