Las Vegas Lights FC

Las Vegas Lights FC
Full name Las Vegas Lights Football Club
Founded August 11, 2017 (2017-08-11)
Stadium Cashman Field
Capacity 9,334
Owner Las Vegas Soccer, LLC
General manager Brett Lashbrook
Head coach Isidro Sánchez
League United Soccer League
Website Club website

Las Vegas Lights FC is an American professional soccer team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team made its debut in the United Soccer League in 2018 and plays its home games at Cashman Field. The Lights are coached by Isidro Sánchez and owned by Brett Lashbrook, who also serves as general manager.

The team employs neon imagery in its crest and jerseys. It has engaged in unusual promotions to attract fans, including the use of llama mascots and rewarding players with casino chips. The team's main rivals are Reno 1868 FC, a Nevada club who also play in the USL.

History

The first professional soccer team to be based in Las Vegas was the Las Vegas Quicksilvers of the North American Soccer League, who moved from San Diego after the 1976 season.[1] The team played at Las Vegas Stadium and had an average attendance of 7,092 during the 1977 season, but moved back to San Diego the following year.[2] The Las Vegas Seagulls of the American Soccer League briefly played at Las Vegas Stadium (by then the Las Vegas Silver Bowl) in 1979, but were terminated by the league after their first season due to financial issues.[3][4] The city also played host to the 1994 FIFA World Cup draw in December 1993 and was considered several times for a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, but was passed over by the league.[5][6]

The city hosted several exhibition matches between club and national soccer teams during the early 2010s,[7] including a 2012 World Football Challenge match between Real Madrid and Santos Laguna that drew a state-record attendance of 29,152 spectators.[8] An MLS expansion bid was explored in 2014, led by Findlay Sports and Entertainment and the Cordish Company, proposing a 24,000-seat stadium at Symphony Park in Downtown Las Vegas.[9] The Las Vegas bid was rejected for further consideration by MLS in February 2015, putting an end to plans for the publicly-financed downtown stadium.[10] Despite an attempted revival, the city declined to submit a proposal in time for the league's deadline for expansion bids in February 2017.[11]

In April 2017, Brett Lashbrook submitted a formal proposal to the Las Vegas City Manager to use Cashman Field as the venue of a USL expansion team that would begin play in 2018.[12] The Las Vegas City Council approved the Cashman Field lease in July, and the USL began planning for a formal announcement in mid-August.[13] On August 11, 2017, Las Vegas was formally announced as a USL expansion team that would join the league in 2018.[14][15] The team unveiled its official name, Las Vegas Lights FC, on August 29 and its official crest in late October.[16][17]

Inaugural season

Chelís, a former MLS and Liga MX manager, was introduced as the team's head coach in November and promised to build a team that would entertain.[18] The Lights held their first scouting camps in December and signed several Mexican players using connections from Chelís.[19][20] In the inaugural preseason match, the team lost 2–0 to the Montreal Impact but attracted a sellout crowd of 10,387 people.[21] The signing of Mexican players caused a language barrier that hindered on-field chemistry during its preseason matches against MLS teams, losing all three, but the team's players worked through the language gap.[22] The team signed former MLS teenage prodigy Freddy Adu, who debuted in a preseason match against his first club, D.C. United.[23]

The team played their inaugural regular season match in Fresno, California, on March 17, 2018, winning 3–2 over Fresno FC.[24] In their first home regular season match, played on March 24, the Lights drew 1–1 with in-state rivals Reno 1868 FC in a match attended by 9,019 spectators.[25] In the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, the Lights defeated FC Tucson and advanced to the third round, where they lost to FC Golden State Force.[26] The club went on a long winless streak in August and September that eliminated the Lights from qualifying for the USL Playoffs.[27] Chelis announced his departure from the club on September 18, following poor performances and an eight-match suspension for misconduct involving a spectator.[28]

Stadium

The Lights play their home matches at Cashman Field, a stadium in Downtown Las Vegas that was primarily used for the Las Vegas 51s, a minor league baseball team. It has 9,334 permanent seats and additional standing room capacity.[29] Prior to the Lights, the stadium also hosted MLS preseason matches between the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes in 2016 and 2017.[30] The Lights have a 15-year lease agreement with the city government to use Cashman Field, expiring in 2032.[6][31]

The Las Vegas 51s plan to relocate to a new stadium in Summerlin in 2019, leaving the Lights as the sole tenant of Cashman Field.[31][32]

Club brand and jerseys

The Lights name was announced on August 29, 2017, after being decided in an online poll ahead of five other finalists, including Las Vegas FC, Las Vegas Silver, Club Vegas, Viva Vegas and Las Vegas Action. The name evokes the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas, where many buildings use neon lights and signage.[16] The neon imagery is also reflected in the club's crest, a rotated version of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign bordered by neon tubes. The crest also features text written in neon tubes, as well as a pink star. The team's colors, blue, yellow, and pink, were submitted by fans and are derived from the city's traditional seal.[17][33]

The club's jerseys are manufactured by BLK and include the logos of sponsors Zappos and Findlay Toyota.[34] The home jersey was designed by Zappos's art director and is primarily black with the team's color in neon trim. The underside has an emoji smiley face covered in confetti,[35][36] to be used in goal celebrations when pulled up and over players' heads.[37][38][39] The away jersey is primarily white, with light blue and yellow accents and was unveiled with players donning a body painted replica.[40]

Sponsorship

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2018–present BLK[34] Zappos[34]

Ownership and management

The Lights are owned by Las Vegas Soccer, LLC, founded by Brett Lashbrook, a former consultant to USL and MLS clubs in Florida and the team's current general manager.[41] Lashbrook spent part of his childhood in the Las Vegas area and was part of Orlando City SC during their transition from the USL to MLS and also worked for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.[42][43]

The team's head coach is Isidro Sánchez Macip, a former Liga MX midfielder who was appointed on March 15, 2018, prior to the inaugural USL match. He replaced his father Chelís, who was promoted to technical director.[44]

The team's vice president of corporate partnerships is Steve Pastorino, who worked with the Chicago Fire and Oakland Athletics as marketing director.[45]

In April 2018, the Lights became the first professional sports team in the United States to be sponsored by a licensed marijuana dispensary. As part of the agreement, the Nuwu dispensary will have a sign in Cashman Field advertising its downtown store, located two blocks from the stadium.[46] Two months later, the club announced a partnership with bookmaker William Hill to offer in-game betting via a special mobile app, along with free $5 bets for each home win.[47]

Club culture

The Lights have used unusual promotions and gimmicks to attract fans, including a DJ in the supporters' section and two llama mascots, Dolly and Dotty. The llamas were provided by sponsors Zappos and appear during tailgate parties and pre-game festivities, including the team photos;[48] during one incident, a llama defecated on the field with only two minutes left before kickoff.[49] The team's mascot is "Cash the Soccer Rocker", a dancing caricature of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, who rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle around the stadium.[37][50] The team's players are rewarded with casino chips for regular season home wins with three or more goals, out of a pot of $30,000 supplied by the Plaza Hotel & Casino for the team.[51] Owner Brett Lashbrook stated that he wanted his team to be "a fast, fun soccer party" and encouraged the use of flags and smoke bombs by supporters.[21][52]

Before home matches, the Lights award a "pink scarf" to Las Vegas residents for their contributions to the community at large. The inaugural honoree of the pink scarf was mayor Carolyn Goodman.[53]

The team has a rivalry with Reno 1868 FC, the other USL team in the state of Nevada, called the Silver State Cup. The rivalry was named in an online poll by fans of both teams ahead of their first match in March 2018.[54]

Broadcasting

The Lights broadcast their home matches and some away matches on KVCW, an over-the-air channel serving the Las Vegas market. All matches are streamed online on ESPN+ as part of a league-wide broadcast deal that began in April 2018. Some of the club's matches are also scheduled to be broadcast on ESPNews and ESPN3.[55] The inaugural preseason match in February 2018 had been aired on KCLV, a city-run government access channel, but a broadcast agreement could not be reached due to the commercial nature of the club.[40][56] Radio broadcasts for Lights matches are carried on 1460 AM ESPN Deportes in Spanish.[57]

Players

First-team squad

As of September 12, 2018[58]
No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Ricardo Ferriño  Mexico
3 Defender Joel Huiqui  Mexico
4 Defender Rodrigo Íñigo  Mexico
7 Midfielder Carlos Alvarez  United States
8 Forward Omar Salgado (on loan from El Paso)  United States
9 Forward Sammy Ochoa  United States
11 Midfielder Freddy Adu  United States
12 Midfielder Eric Avila  United States
13 Defender Juan Herrera-Perla  El Salvador
14 Midfielder Alex Mendoza  United States
17 Defender Juan Carlos García  Mexico
21 Midfielder Matt Thomas  United States
22 Goalkeeper Angel Alvarez  United States
23 Defender Christian Torres  Mexico
25 Midfielder Rafael Garcia  United States
29 Defender Joseph Patrick Pérez (on loan from Puebla)  United States
30 Goalkeeper Thomas Olsen  United States
33 Defender Miguel Garduño  Mexico
40 Midfielder Raúl Mendiola  Mexico
44 Midfielder Daigo Kobayashi  Japan
58 Forward Daniel Guzmán Jr.  Mexico

Staff

Role Name Nation
OwnerBrett Lashbrook United States
Vice presidentSteve Pastorino United States
Vice presidentScott Frasnelly United States
Head coachIsidro Sánchez Canada
Goalkeeper coachRomilio Gomez Mexico
Head trainerKori Jeffries United States
Strength coachPablo Aja Fresendo Mexico

References

  1. ↑ "Jaws will make move to Las Vegas". Times-Standard. Eureka, California. United Press International. October 20, 1976. p. 17. Retrieved June 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Carp, Steve (August 3, 2012). "MLS keeps eye on Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Seagulls' saga". Reno Gazette-Journal. August 11, 1979. p. 28. Retrieved June 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Seagulls sue soccer league". The Oregon Statesman. Salem, Oregon. Associated Press. March 19, 1980. p. 6D. Retrieved June 4, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Kantowski, Ron (August 11, 2017). "Las Vegas politicians, soccer enthusiasts bend it like Beckham at Zappos". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Granger, Jesse (July 15, 2017). "Group eyeing Cashman Field for pro soccer franchise confident in Las Vegas market". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  7. ↑ Brewer, Ray (June 4, 2018). "Tightened security greets fans at exhibition soccer match". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  8. ↑ Carp, Steve (August 5, 2012). "Nearly 30,000 see Real Madrid win exhibition in Las Vegas". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ Snel, Alan (November 19, 2014). "Las Vegas officials to make pitch for MLS team". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  10. ↑ Snel, Alan; DeHaven, James (February 12, 2015). "Major League Soccer takes a pass on Las Vegas, ending downtown stadium dreams". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  11. ↑ Helfand, Betsy (January 31, 2017). "Las Vegas doesn't file bid for MLS expansion team". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  12. ↑ Munks, Jamie (April 19, 2017). "Las Vegas working with soccer team to use Cashman Field". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  13. ↑ Manzano, Gilbert (July 19, 2017). "Las Vegas approves United Soccer League team for Cashman Field in 2018". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Las Vegas Joins the USL in 2018 Season". USL. August 11, 2017. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  15. ↑ Granger, Jesse (August 11, 2017). "Las Vegas gets pro soccer; fans to pick team name". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Gotz, Ben (August 29, 2017). "New United Soccer League team will be called Las Vegas Lights FC". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Gotz, Ben (October 30, 2017). "Las Vegas Lights FC releases logo, hopes it carries local appeal". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  18. ↑ Gotz, Ben (November 14, 2017). "Chelís arrives as advertised to coach Las Vegas Lights FC". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  19. ↑ Gotz, Ben (December 9, 2017). "Players try to make quick impression at Las Vegas Lights FC combine". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  20. ↑ Gotz, Ben (January 26, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC see opportunity to find players in Mexico". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  21. 1 2 Granger, Jesse (February 10, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights draw 10,387 fans — and two llamas — for fun-filled opener". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on February 11, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  22. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 7, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC's chemistry grows as language barriers fall". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  23. ↑ Gotz, Ben (February 24, 2018). "Freddy Adu debuts, but Lights FC loses to D.C. United". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  24. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 17, 2018). "Lights FC opens inaugural USL season with 3-2 win at Fresno". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  25. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 24, 2018). "Lights FC draw 1-1 with Reno 1868 FC in home opener". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  26. ↑ Gotz, Ben (May 23, 2018). "FC Golden State Force eliminates Lights FC from U.S. Open Cup". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  27. ↑ Helfand, Betsy (September 21, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC takes on in-state rival Reno 1868 FC". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  28. ↑ Granger, Jesse (September 18, 2018). "After tumultuous stint, Chelis gone from Las Vegas Lights FC". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  29. ↑ Valley, Jackie (April 15, 2016). "As 51s eye move to Summerlin, will it be curtains for Cashman Center?". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  30. ↑ Manzano, Gilbert (February 10, 2017). "David Bingham, Earthquakes return to Las Vegas for Galaxy match". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  31. 1 2 Gotz, Ben (October 11, 2017). "Las Vegas Lights FC owner 'ecstatic' to become Cashman's primary tenant in 2018". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  32. ↑ Helfland, Betsy (May 7, 2018). "51s, LVCVA release logo honoring last season at Cashman Field". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  33. ↑ Granger, Jesse (October 30, 2017). "Pro soccer team Las Vegas Lights FC unveil logo". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  34. 1 2 3 Gotz, Ben (January 30, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights FC to unveil home jerseys Feb. 7". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Las Vegas Lights release a unique neon-themed kit that will divide opinion". FourFourTwo. February 8, 2018. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  36. ↑ "The look of the Lights". Las Vegas Review-Journal. February 11, 2018. p. 10. Retrieved June 5, 2018 – via PressReader.
  37. 1 2 Davis, Matt (April 26, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights: Freddy Adu, llamas, and a partnership with a cannabis dispensary". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  38. ↑ Gotz, Ben (February 8, 2018). "Lights FC unveil home jerseys for United Soccer League season". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  39. ↑ Wright, Chris (February 8, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights incorporate the city's glitz and glitter into new kit". ESPN. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  40. 1 2 Gotz, Ben (March 14, 2018). "Lights FC paints on away kits at season kickoff party". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  41. ↑ Manzano, Gilbert (July 18, 2017). "Brett Lashbrook goes all in to make Las Vegas a soccer town". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  42. ↑ Murray, Nicholas (August 17, 2017). "Energetic, Enthusiastic Lashbrook Lands in Las Vegas". USL. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  43. ↑ Tenorio, Paul (April 23, 2015). "Orlando City chief operating officer Brett Lashbrook resigns". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Chelís Promoted to Lights FC Technical Director". USL. March 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  45. ↑ Gotz, Ben (November 13, 2017). "Lashbrook, Pastorino combine experience to shape Las Vegas Lights FC". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  46. ↑ Gotz, Ben (April 13, 2018). "Lights FC partner with Las Vegas marijuana dispensary". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  47. ↑ Gotz, Ben (June 13, 2018). "Lights FC partners with William Hill as official sports book". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  48. ↑ West, Phil (June 6, 2018). "Llamas, in-stadium betting, Freddy Adu and Chelis: Las Vegas Lights are soccer's most bizarre team". FourFourTwo. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  49. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 28, 2018). "Lights FC hopes to make good early impression on fans". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  50. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 23, 2018). "Lights FC unveil mascot: Cash the Soccer Rocker". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  51. ↑ Granger, Jesse (February 7, 2018). "Las Vegas Lights players score casino chips for scoring wins". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  52. ↑ Gotz, Ben (October 30, 2017). "Las Vegas Lights owner wants team to be 'fast, fun, soccer party'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  53. ↑ "The Pink Scarf". Las Vegas Lights FC. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  54. ↑ Gotz, Ben (March 23, 2018). "Lights FC plays home opener against 'Nevada's other FC'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  55. ↑ Gotz, Ben (April 10, 2018). "Lights FC announces TV deal with myLVTV". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  56. ↑ "KCLV Channel 2 to broadcast inaugural Lights FC match Saturday night". Las Vegas Lights FC. February 8, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  57. ↑ Gotz, Ben (November 16, 2017). "Las Vegas Lights FC name radio home for Spanish broadcasts". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  58. ↑ "Players and Staff - First Team". Las Vegas Lights FC. May 11, 2018. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
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