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A Light Preview: Match #18 vs. LA Galaxy II

Carson A Merk , ,

It will be a festive fixture as Las Vegas Lights FC host Los Dos tonight.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone reading this article! After a day filled with BBQ, lounging in the pool, and maybe some adult beverages, fans will make their way downtown to Cashman Field to watch their Las Vegas Lights FC host LA Galaxy II. The match will include the awesome throwback 1994 World Cup kit/Lights FC fusion kits, post-match 3-D 360 fireworks (which I still don’t fully understand), and one can assume some general shenanigans from the most interesting club in the USL Championship. Now, let’s look at the soccer portion of tonight’s festivities.

Looking at the Lights (6-7-4)

While it was a frustrating loss to OKC Energy FC over the weekend, the club didn’t play poorly overall. It was definitely nice to have Irvin Parra back in the fold as the forward hit the frame of the goal on the best chance of the night and had five chances created. I would love to see a true striker in the starting lineup tonight, potentially Sammy Ochoa or Santiago Echavarria. Both players would provide a target in the area for a club that seemed to lack that on Saturday night.

I’ve mentioned multiple times that I like Javan Torre playing on the outside, which is still true, but he needs to provide better crosses into the box. He gets in a good position, but his final ball in is lacking quality. He is listed as questionable by the team due to a lower-body injury, as is Jose Villarreal.

Now, for the second straight match, Lights FC will take on the club that sits directly below them on the Western Conference table. But, this time they will do so without their manager on the sideline. Due to being sent off on Saturday, Eric Wynalda will be banned for this match, ironic as the club will be wearing special jerseys to honor his 1994 USMNT World Cup squad.

In roster news, the club has added Vinnie Vermeer on loan from Nashville SC. The 24-year-old made one appearance for Nashville and went 3/6 passing.

Who you should know: LA Galaxy II (5-6-7)

Frank Lopez: He leads the club in goals with five and shares the lead in shots with 24. For a club that rarely wins 1-0, Lopez provides some needed offensive firepower, earning Team of the Week honors after his brace beat Orange County over the weekend.

Augustine Williams: A tall, skillful attacking player, Augi is the co-leader in shots with Lopez and has three goals to his name.

Brian Iloski: He has more key passes this season (41) than the next three players on the Los Dos list COMBINED. Iloski has four assists on the year and averages 43 passes per match.

The Deets

Tonight, 7:30 PM, at Cashman Field

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. LA Galaxy II

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.

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