The Lights FC has its home opener 8 p.m. Saturday against rival Reno 1868 FC. The Lights have not been shy about their feelings towards “Nevada’s other FC.” There is no other way to say it: This is exactly who we wanted to play for our inaugural (United Soccer League) home match. Beat Reno. Early and often. Every time. That will always be a core goal of our club. The Lights play Reno three times this season, but only once at home. The winner of the three-game series gets a trophy: the Silver State Cup. The Lights hope the rivalry draws plenty of people to Cashman Field.
Lights FC midfielder Matt Thomas set records in his first start last Saturday. Thomas scored the club’s first-ever goal 70 seconds into its game at Fresno FC. It was the fastest goal by an expansion team in USL history. Now the Las Vegas native just wants to hold on to his starting spot. Once you get the start it’s just an opportunity, nothing more than that. You have to go out and prove yourself and prove that you deserve that spot.
The Lights FC had its season kickoff party Wednesday at Plaza. The team revealed its white, blue and yellow away kits at the party. Juan Carlos Garcia was one of two players to have the jersey painted on to his body. Miguel Garduno was the other, and the two stood for three hours to get it done. The Lights open their season at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fresno FC.
The Lights FC will play Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cashman Field. The Whitecaps were 15-12-7 last season and won a playoff game. The Lights looking for another sellout after 10,387 fans attended their first preseason game. The Lights are also hoping to score after losing 2-0 last Saturday. Coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola wants his forwards to move more to create chances. We need to have more options to pass in the second half of the field. More passes, more movement.