Las Vegas’ USL club narrows team name search to 6 — POLL
By Gilbert Manzano Las Vegas Review-Journal
United Soccer League president Jake Edwards, left, and CEO Alec Papadakis, right, look on as Brett Lashbrook, founder of Las Vegas Soccer LLC, celebrates his new Las Vegas soccer team to play in the USL during an event at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Brett Lashbrook, founder of Las Vegas Soccer LLC, during an event celebrating his new Las Vegas soccer team to play in the United Soccer League during an event at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Ricardo Laguna, professional BMX rider and television personality, reveals one of six possible names for the future United Soccer League Las Vegas soccer team during an event at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Brett Lashbrook, founder of Las Vegas Soccer LLC, during an event celebrating his new Las Vegas soccer team to play in the United Soccer League during an event at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Attendees during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Mayor Carolyn Goodman during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Governor Brian Sandoval during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow, from left, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, CEO of the United Soccer League Alec Papadakis, and Governor Brian Sandoval during an USL event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow, from left, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, and Governor Brian Sandoval during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Alec Papadakis, CEO of the United Soccer League, during an USL event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Jake Edwards, president of the United Soccer League, during an USL event to celebrate the newest team from Las Vegas in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Children with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada from left, Christopher Ramirez, 13, Mark Cortez, 12, Samuel Seoane, 11, Amiyah Jordan, 14, and Sebastian Manzo, 15, cheer during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Alexander Vargas, 5, left, and his brother Emmanuel, wear Las Vegas Pro Soccer scarves during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Yandel Aguilar, 12, of Las Vegas during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Brett Lashbrook, founder of the Las Vegas Soccer LLC, during an United Soccer League event to celebrate the newest team in the league at the Zappos campus in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. Erik Verduzco Las Vegas Review-Journal @Erik_Verduzco
Founder and President of Las Vegas Soccer LLC. Brett Lashbrook makes his presentation during a meeting of the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Rendering showing Cashman Field being used as a soccer stadium for a USL team. (Kirvin Doak)
City of Las Vegas Director of Economic and Urban Development Bill Arent, left, and Las Vegas Soccer LLC founder and president Brett Lashbrook make a presentation during a meeting of the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Rendering showing Cashman Field being used as a soccer stadium for a USL team. (Kirvin Doak)
Brett Lashbrook received more than 1,000 team name suggestions that were submitted on his website.
Names such as the Vegas Dry Heat, the Silver Knights and Vegas Ronaldos were proposed for the United Soccer League expansion franchise that will play homes matches at Cashman Field starting in February.
“If we get Cristiano Ronaldo to play here, I will name the team the Ronaldos,” Lashbrook said jokingly.
Lashbrook, the owner of the USL club, couldn’t decide on a team name before the fan festival Friday at the Zappos Corporate Office.
He decided to narrow the field to six names and allow fans to pick their favorite name on VegasProSoccer.com. Viva Vegas, Las Vegas Silver, Las Vegas FC, Las Vegas Lights, Las Vegas Action and Club Vegas made the final list.
“It’s really hard to pick a name,” Lashbrook said. “It’s incredibly hard, so once again, we’ll let the fans decide for us. This is the team for the fans. We want the fans to have their fingerprints on this.”
The winning name will be announced Aug. 29. Fans can vote through Aug. 28.
Lashbrook said more than 1,000 fans have left a deposit for season tickets. The USL club owner requested to have his team open the 2018 season against Reno 1868 FC at Cashman Field.
“Done,” USL president Jake Edwards responded on stage.
The minor league soccer club will share Cashman with the Las Vegas 51s. Lashbrook said the baseball field along with the mound will be removed before every soccer match.
“Fans will be closer to the field than at a baseball game,” he said. “We’re taking out the mound every single time. We’re bringing in natural grass to fill in the infield dirt. You will not know that it’s a baseball stadium when you walk in.
“Vegas fans will get the authentic soccer experience.”
