A Light Preview: Match #24 vs. Portland Timbers 2

Las Vegas Lights FC return to Cashman Field tonight to face T2.

A huge water balloons. A Cashman Field debut. Crucial points at stake. There will be all of that and more tonight as Las Vegas Lights FC are back in Sin City and will host Portland Timbers 2.

Looking at the Lights (7-10-6)

If we weren’t before, we are now definitely to the point where the Lights desperately need to win matches. After two straight wins in June, the club has only won one match in their last seven outings. They sit five points below the playoff line, the final position is held by Timbers 2, and there are only 11 matches left in the campaign.

Fito Zelaya will make his debut in Las Vegas after playing last week on loan with the Lights at Orange County. The target man was left isolated up top vs. OC and he worked hard in the shutout loss. This week, the club added 22-year-old Cristian Martinez on loan from Chicago Fire, but there isn’t any strong indication he will be able to feature tonight.

Two players that will likely play major roles tonight are Irvin Parra and Preston Tabort Etaka. They were both suspended the last match and they are at their best playing at Cashman Field. The attacking duo, combining with either Jose Villarreal or Fito, will need to boost a slumping Lights attack as the club was shut out in two of their three matches in California.

Previous meeting vs. T2: L, 3-1

Who you should know: Portland Timbers 2 (8-8-8)

Todd Wharton: The T2 captain is a star distributor in the midfield. He has a club-high 943 passes and has completed 86%. He’s matched his season total of five goals from last season with RGVFC. He has 30 chances created.

Foster Langsdorf: A 2018 Homegrown signing of the first team, Langsdorf has six goals in 20 matches. He has 121 aerial duels this season, most on the team.

Eryk Williamson: In just 15 appearances, he has three goals and seven assists for T2.

The Deets

Saturday, 7:30 PM, at Cashman Field

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Portland Timbers 2

There will be a massive water balloon fight at halftime of the match. It shall be wet, wild, and potentially world record-breaking.

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.