A Light Preview: Las Vegas Lights FC take on Loyal SC in a battle of winless clubs
After another blowout loss last weekend, Las Vegas Lights FC will look for their first point of the season when they face Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC, who are also winless.
Las Vegas Lights FC (0-3-0)
There’s no way around saying that the LAFC-affiliate era for Lights FC has endured a brutal start. The club has lost all three of their matches and have been outscored 13-2. Despite playing fewer matches than other clubs thus far, those 13 goals conceded are the highest total in the USL Championship and they were ranked 31st (out of 31 clubs) in USL HQ’s latest Power Rankings. The players at the disposal of first-year head coach Steve Cherundolo are extremely young and he’s in the tough position of focusing on development while also trying to get some results.
Tonight, Lights FC take on another club with all losses on their record in 2021. Unfortunately, San Diego Loyal SC have an experienced group of players that will be motivated to finally live up to their preseason hype. For Las Vegas to get a result, the defense must be exponentially better than we’ve seen to this point, including last week when they allowed the most shots and shots on target EVER in a USL Championship match.
In the attack, it will be worth monitoring if Danny Musovski is loaned down from the first team, as well as Cal Jennings, and if LAFC first-round pick Danny Trejo is healthy. Musovski scored the first goal of the season for the Lights and Trejo was a spark plug before missing time due to injury. Lights FC might not hold an edge in shots or possession, but they will need to make the most of their chances to steal at least a point on the road.
Vegas Player SpotLight
Cal Jennings: The LAFC loanee opened his account with a nice goal vs. Phoenix last weekend and earned a place on the bench of the USL Championship Team of the Week. He is a grinder up top and will need to show that he’s a consistent threat to keep the San Diego backline honest.
San Diego Loyal SC (0-4-0)
Who to Know
Corey Hertzog: An accomplished, experienced striker in the league, Hertzog is still without a goal on the season. Loyal SC need their target man to step up and add some production to the front line if they are going to find success.
Jack Blake: He captained Real Monarchs SLC to a 2019 USL Championship Final victory and his leadership will be key to getting things turned around for San Diego. His goal vs. Louisville City was a contender for Goal of the Week.
Blakey BOOOM! Early contender for goal of the season from @jackblake94. 🚀#LOUvSD | 2-1 pic.twitter.com/iPpVn5kR9r
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) May 23, 2021
Trey Muse: The 21-year-old goalkeeper leads the league in saves, which means he’s saving a lot of shots (good) and also facing a lot of shots (not so good).
What to Know
- During the 2020 inaugural season for Loyal SC, they finished with one win and two draws in their three matches vs. Las Vegas
- Started the season at 10th on USL HQ’s Nicholas Murray’s Power Rankings, now dropping all the way down to 30th (one spot ahead of last-place Lights FC)
- Head Coach Landon Donovan is suspended for the match following a red card in the loss vs. Louisville City.
- Announced the signing of Miguel Ibarra and the loan signings of Miguel Berry and Jack Maher.
- Tonight is the club’s home opener of 2021
The Deets
Tonight, 5/29, at 7:30 PM Pacific Time
Las Vegas Lights FC at San Diego Loyal SC
