A Light Preview: Match #16 vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Las Vegas Lights FC will look for their second straight upset win when they face 2nd place El Paso Locomotive FC.
Las weekend, Las Vegas Lights FC secured a major upset win when they rocked New Mexico United at Cashman Field, 5-1. Now, they travel to face another top side in the Western Conference, El Paso Locomotive FC.
Looking at the Lights (5-4-6)
Yes, as we all expected, Lights FC blew out a top team without their top scorer or backup striker, Sammy Ochoa. Honestly, it could be completely an outlier or it could signify a trend of diverse scoring moving forward. I think it’s somewhere between the two. Without Parra again this week, the club is able to put more speed in the attack if they stick with Preston Tabort Etaka up top and surround him with playmakers like Jose Villarreal, Pablo Cruz, and Tripa Hernandez. If they decide to re-enter Ochoa up top, you can shift Tabort Etaka back out wide and allow the club to play with a more traditional back-to-goal number nine.
Javan Torre has been a revelation at outside back. Do I think he is going to be a consistent goalscorer after his long-distance strike? No, but he has been solid in defense and is doing well to get forward when the time is right. With Torre’s skill on the ball and passing on one side with Kevin Garcia Lopez’s pace and aggressiveness opposite him, it gives Eric Wynalda added width and danger in the attack.
Javan Torre takes us through his @USLChampionship goal of the week contender, which you can vote for here 🗳️ → https://t.co/kTZxNMFCUT#VivaLights #SummerOfSoccer pic.twitter.com/pOCtHUCN6w
— Las Vegas Lights FC (@lvlightsfc) June 19, 2019
Player to watch: Jose Villarreal
If the forward is in the starting XI, I think his creativity and dribbling ability will allow him to break down a staunch El Paso defense. He is getting closer to full fitness and is due for a first goal or assist in USL Championship play with LV Lights FC.
Who you should know: El Paso Locomotive FC (7-5-2)
Jerome Kiesewetter: He earned USL Championship Player of the Month for May and it was a much-deserved honor. Since arriving at the club, he has been lighting up defenses and goalkeepers for Locomotive FC, to the tune of ten goals in ten appearances.
Bryam Rebellon: The veteran leads the club in tackles, tackles won, aerial duels, and aerial duels won. His work defensively has allowed El Paso to concede the least amount of goals in the Western Conference with 12.
Omar Salgado: Last season, Salgado scored three goals and registered two assists in 14 matches played for Lights FC. Now with his hometown club, he has two goals and four assists.
The Deets
Las Vegas Lights FC at El Paso Locomotive FC
6:30 PM Pacific Time kickoff
