A Light Preview: With five straight losses, Las Vegas Lights FC host Sacramento Republic FC
Las Vegas Lights FC are on a five-match losing streak as they square off tonight with Sacramento Republic FC at Cashman Field.
Las Vegas Lights FC (5-14-2)
On Thursday, the Lights couldn’t make it three wins on the season vs. Tacoma Defiance as they lost to the Seattle Sounders affiliate, 2-1. Now, Las Vegas have lost five consecutive matches and are winless in their last six. The five-match losing streak ties the longest in club history (September 2020).
Impacting Steve Cherundolo’s squad selection, Danny Musovski, Bryce Duke, Cal Jennings, Mamadou Fall (who scored his first MLS goal), and Danny Crisostomo all played for LAFC on Friday night. The first team has limited options due to international soccer action this week and that obviously impacts Lights FC’s pool of available players.
Tonight will also mark another year of the infamous “Cash Drop”. This time around, the club won’t be using a helicopter but rather “will feature multiple apparatus shooting money onto the field — including confetti cannons, air gun “shooters” and some new Vegas-style surprises to be unveiled on-field!” Also, there will be a “Golden Ticket” for a fan to win free Jarritos (one per day) for an entire year.
Vegas Player SpotLight
Eric Iloski: After playing sparingly in the beginning of the season, he’s emerged as a steady contributor for Lights FC. He scored a beautiful goal vs. Tacoma and whether he’s in the midfield or on the backline, the UCLA product will need to turn in another impressive performance tonight for Las Vegas.
Sacramento Republic FC (5-7-8)
Who You Should Know
Cameron Iwasa: The club’s all-time leading scorer converted two penalties in a midweek match vs. LA Galaxy II, giving him the team lead with six goals in 2021.
Dan Casey: A mainstay on the backline, he leads Sacramento with 67 clearances (26 more than the second-highest on the roster), 829 passes (200 more than the second-most), and 13 blocks. He also has one goal.
Dariusz Formella: He is tied for most chances created (32) and assists (three) on Republic FC this season. The Polish forward has scored three goals.
What You Should Know
- A late penalty equalized things for Sacramento vs. Los Dos on Wednesday in a wild 3-3 draw
- 2-2-5 record on the road, including a 2-1 victory at Cashman Field on July 14th
- Tied for sixth-fewest goals scored in the USL Championship, 47% average possession
- 20th on the latest USL-C Power Rankings
- Added Emil Cuello on loan from San Antonio FC, sent Mitchell Taintor to SAFC
The Deets
Tonight, 7 PM PT, Cashman Field
Sacramento Republic FC at Las Vegas Lights FC
