A Light Preview: Las Vegas looks to level the series vs. Loyal SC
Las Vegas Lights FC will play their second straight match at Cashman Field tomorrow night when they face San Diego Loyal SC, who they’ve lost to and drawn with already this season.
Looking at the Lights (0-2-1)
Through three matches this season, Las Vegas Lights FC only have two goals scored. They sit 13th in the league in shots with 62 and they haven’t played as many matches as other clubs around the USL Championship. Without consistent scoring, they are still without a win through three matches. In their inaugural campaign in 2018, the Lights had seven points through three matches and tallied one through three matches in 2019. Last season, they secured their first win of the season in their fourth match (1-0 vs. Real Monarchs SLC). Will they follow suit tomorrow night in downtown Las Vegas?
The Lights will face San Diego Loyal SC for the third time already this season. After a pre-hiatus 1-1 draw, they fell to Landon Donovan’s side and their own all-time leading scorer, Irvin Parra, in their first match after matches resumed. In their only match against someone other than San Diego, Las Vegas lost to rival Reno 1868 FC last weekend. Without the usual chaos of a typical Lights home match, Brent Richards’ leaping finish gave Reno all three points at Cashman Field.
There was a new signing for Las Vegas Lights FC this week as they add midfielder Seth Moses. A true defensive midfielder, Moses arrives after playing for Fresno FC last season, where he was signed by current Las Vegas caretaker manager/former Fresno FC general manager, Frank Yallop. Moses has also played in the league for Orange County and Indy Eleven and will bring high work rate and toughness to the Lights’ midfield.
Unfortunately, while they add Moses, they lose Seku Conneh for the next couple of months. The forward was hurt during the 7/25 loss to Loyal SC and will be a big loss as the club searches for a consistent attacking threat.
Who you should know: San Diego Loyal SC (3-1-2)
Tumi Moshobane: He scored the opening goal in Loyal SC’s win over Las Vegas on July 25th and earned a place on the Week 5 USL Team of the Week. Moshobane has a club-high ten shots and has added three key passes.
Jon Kempin: Starting all but one match in goal, he’s made 17 saves so far this season, 5th-most in the league. He’s only conceded three goals and has two clean sheets to his name.
"The guys have really embraced me."@JonKempin21 on his early season success and wanting to win for the team and city of San Diego. #SDLoyal pic.twitter.com/bxsdtfYNXJ
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) August 1, 2020
Grant Stoneman: Loyal SC’s central defender leads the team in tackles won, duels won, and passes. He has 73.7 passes per 90 minutes, 13 more than second-best.
The Details
Tomorrow, 7:30 PM PT, at Cashman Field
San Diego Loyal SC at Las Vegas Lights FC
(Note: No fan attendance/stream live on ESPN+)
