A Light Preview: Winless on the road meets unbeaten at home tonight in Phoenix

Less than a week after the clubs last met, Las Vegas Lights FC will head over to Arizona to face Phoenix Rising FC in some Friday Night Football.

Las Vegas Lights FC (2-5-3)

The numbers certainly do not favor Lights FC in tonight’s matchup. They have zero wins in their four away matches this season, losing 4-3 to Los Dos in their last road match. Phoenix, on the other hand, is 5-0-0 at home where they’ve scored 20 goals and only conceded four times.

Hopefully learning from that loss vs. Galaxy II, the Lights will not want to get into a track meet with Rising FC. They are co-scoring leaders across the USL Championship and have too many weapons to try and outgun. Frank Yallop will want to sit deep defensively and bunker down as much as possible while also holding enough of possession to keep Phoenix honest.

The best bet for Vegas could be a set-piece goal. They have some big bodies that can win the ball in the air and they could convert off a free kick or a corner without leaving themselves too vulnerable on the counter.

It will be interesting to see if Quincy Amarikwa gets his first start for the club tonight and at the other end if Ramon Martin Del Camp is back from injury. Both players could play key roles in a very difficult match. The Lights coming away with a point here would be a major result.

Phoenix Rising FC (7-2-2)

Who you should know

Junior Flemmings: Named the USL Championship Player of the Month for August yesterday, Flemmings scored seven goals last month alone. He converted the penalty last match vs. the Lights.

Solomon Asante: While he didn’t pick up the Player of the Month, he was nominated and is the only player in the league in top ten for both goals and assists (which he leads). Flemmings is having an amazing season, but Solo is still the most important player on the pitch for Phoenix.

Darnell King: It’s the attack that gets a lot of the credit, rightfully so, but the Rising FC defense is quality, too. King helps lead the way on the backline from his left-back position. He has a club-high 34 clearances, tied for the most tackles won, and completes over 80% of his passes.

What you should know

  • Best goal differential in the Western Conference (+19)
  • Lead the league with 200 shots (second-best is 175)
  • Won both all-time matchups vs. LV at Casino Arizona Field (4-0 scorelines in both)

The Deets

Tonight, 7:30 PM PT, at Casino Arizona Field

Las Vegas Lights FC at Phoenix Rising FC

Live on ESPN+

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.