A Light Preview: Las Vegas looks to play spoiler at Orange County SC
After another loss on Tuesday, Las Vegas Lights FC will play another Friday Night Futbol match as they travel to Irvine to face Orange County SC.
Las Vegas Lights FC (2-7-3)
For the third time in their three-year existence, Las Vegas Lights FC were eliminated from playoff contention. They wasted a 2-0 lead at LA Galaxy II on Tuesday and that sealed their fate for 2020 postseason play, even though their chances were already below 1% entering the match.
The Lights are on a five-match winless streak and they’ve lost three straight. That recent slide coincides with the absence of Ramon Martin Del Campo, who officially signed with OKC Energy FC after he and Las Vegas mutually parted ways. Harry Ruiz was the first to speculate his move to OKC.
Without their best central defender, Frank Yallop’s side is conceding an alarming amount of goals and can’t match that number at the other end. Seth Moses scored his first goal of the season and Yamikani Chester added the second vs. Los Dos, but those tallies and 22 shots (ten on target) weren’t enough to secure a point.
As has been the case in the past for Lights FC, the players are now playing for pride and for their soccer futures. Yallop will turn over the reins to a new coach in 2021 and the 2020 players will either want to impress enough to stay in Sin City or move to another interested club this offseason. Las Vegas can also help impact the tight Group B postseason race as they face Orange County once more after tonight and Los Dos next weekend.
Orange County SC (5-4-3)
Who you should know
Sean Okoli: He has either a goal or an assist in three of the club’s last four matches, including a brace vs. Los Dos earlier this month. The former league MVP leads Orange County with six goals.
Aodhan Quinn: The star midfielder leads the club in passes by more than 100 and has the 10th-most in the league. Quinn also leads OC in interceptions.
Brian Iloski: Playing on the wing, he has a club-high 31 chances created (second best is 16) and registered two assists vs. the Lights this season (one was drawing a foul in the box before Quinn converted the penalty).
What you should know
- On a three-match losing streak, pushing them down to fourth on the Group B table (only three points behind 2nd-place Los Dos)
- T-28th in goals scored and T-30th in conversion rate
- T-8th in passing accuracy and have 4,000 successful passes this season
The Deets
Tonight, 7 PM PT, Championship Soccer Stadium
Las Vegas Lights FC at Orange County SC
