A Light Preview: Match #6 vs. Tacoma Defiance
After another road defeat, Las Vegas Lights FC return home to face Tacoma.
Las Vegas Lights FC have one win this season. That came at home vs. Real Monarchs SLC. Good news, Lights fans! The club returns to Cashman Field tomorrow to face Tacoma Defiance, the artist formerly known as Seattle Sounders FC 2. Without further adieu…we preview.
Looking at the Lights (1-3-1):
The equation has been pretty simple for the Lights so far this season. At home, four points in two matches. Away, zero points in three matches. Also, the problem ailing the club is easy to identify: struggling to score goals, especially from the run of play. But, the solution is less clear. From my perspective, there isn’t a primary attacker. While having multiple dangerous players in the attack is a good thing because defenses can’t focus on one guy, it also leaves the attack without a go-to option. In the loss to San Antonio FC, Alex Harlley only had 17 touches, Irvin Parra had 20, and in 34 minutes, Tabort Etaka Preston had seven. While their most traditional striker, Sammy Ochoa, was cleared recently to return to training, the Lights need a player they can hit the ball to with the expectation they can hold up play and make the right pass. With more touches and involvement in the match, I think the scoring will increase for the Lights FC forwards.
On the other end, the defense has not been overly poor. They’ve made a crucial mistake from time to time, but they are well organized and Thomas Olsen has been serviceable this season, including two clean sheets at home.
Who you should know: Tacoma Defiance (2-4-0)
Shandon Hopeau: With zero players with multiple goals or assists, Hopeau is probably the most positive attacking player. He leads the club in shots with eight (four on target) and in fouls won with 13.
Joel Rydstrand: The 23-year-old Swedish midfielder was a second-round pick of Seattle Sounders in this year’s MLS SuperDraft. He has a club-high 259 passes, including six key passes. He’s connecting on 89.9% of his passes in the opposing defensive half.
Modou Ndow: A key member of the defense, Ndow leads the club in clearances and minutes played. The 19-year-old has won 16 aerial duels compared to losing nine.
The Deets
Tomorrow night, Saturday 4/13, at 7: 3o PM Pacific Time
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Tacoma Defiance
There will be a pitchside foam party to kick off spring break in Sin City.
