Match Preview #17: LV vs. OKC ?
Photo Credit: Tulsa Roughnecks FC
After another home victory, Las Vegas Lights FC hit the road again for a midweek showdown with Oklahoma City Energy FC.
Last Time Out
Lights FC
W (1-0) vs. Saint Louis
Goal: Mendiola
Energy FC
D (1-1) vs. Colorado Springs
Goal: Dixon
Opposing Players to Watch
Christian Volesky: The primary target man for OKC. Traded from Saint Louis FC in May, he has three goals on the campaign.
Alex Dixon: A professional since 2011, Dixon is a proven veteran that can provide danger on the wing. He has three goals and two assists on the year.
Miguel Gonzalez: He has played as the starter and off the bench in the attack for Energy FC. After tallying eight goals and six assists last season, Gonzalez has the ability to change a match.
Three Keys to a Vegas Victory
Keep That Energy
It’s natural for teams to play better and more energized at home, but the Lights need to figure out a way to keep the urgency up on the road. They need to pressure the ball and make things uncomfortable at OKC, just like they do to visiting teams at Cashman Field.
Keep Em’ Guessing
If you’ve scouted the Lights at all, you know they will hit the ball forward to Sammy Ochoa more times than they won’t. That allows teams to lock in on the striker and when you can limit his impact, the team typically struggles. Against Energy FC, the Lights need to change up their look and move the ball forward in different ways.
Keep the Legs Fresh
The summer transfer window will have opened by the time the match is played tomorrow. While there is no guarantee any of the club’s new players (Rodrigo Inigo, Omar Salgado, Daniel Guzman Jr.) will be available, if they are, some of them should see action. This month and this double match week will test the endurance of Las Vegas players and giving some of the new guys a chance to play and spell the normal starters seems like a no-brainer.
The Deets
Tomorrow, 5 PM Pacific Time, at Taft Stadium
Las Vegas Lights FC (5-6-5) at OKC Energy FC (5-10-3)
