Lights FC Battles Orange County Sc to 1-1 Draw in Preseason Finale

Published on March 9, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Las Vegas Lights FC News Release

Las Vegas Lights FC Midfielder Carlos Alvarez battles Orange County SC for possession
(Las Vegas Lights FC, Credit: Liza Rosales / Orange County SC)

Those were the result of a final 30 minutes that featured Lights FC again coming from behind to tie an opponent, then have several near-misses in a quest to taste victory in its first outing against USL competition.

"We have to work on playing like that the whole game, not just the last 25-30 minutes," Lights FC forward Anuar Kanan said. "I think it was very important to have this last game against a USL team. Throughout the whole preseason, we played (Major League Soccer) teams and didn't really know what to expect from a USL team. Now we know, and also know what it's like to play on the road. I think we're ready to start the season."

The regular season begins next Saturday, March 17th, on the road at Fresno FC. That is followed by four straight home matches, beginning with the Saturday, March 24th inaugural installment of the soon-to-be-named in-state series between Lights FC and Reno 1868 FC. There are still two days left to vote for the name of the Las Vegas vs. Reno series at nevadasoccervote.com.

During a bit of a slow start, Orange County SC struck first in the 17th minute, but an improved defensive effort from start to finish on Friday was what helped make Lights FC's comeback possible.

Overall, it was an improved effort from the 4-man back line of Christian Torres, Miguel Angel Garduño, Joel Huiqui and captain Marcelo Alatorre - a group which is building more and more chemistry as the days pass heading into the 2018 regular season.

"It was a good, long shot ... When they score a goal like that, there's not much you can do (to stop it)," Garduño said. "On defense, we're working hard. It doesn't matter who's playing. Every player on the defense knows what (Lights FC head coach) Chelís wants. Everyone has to give the effort. It's a battle. For us, we have to win every ball, every play, and that's what we were doing."

The tone that was set on defense then set the stage for Lights FC's fast and furious close to the match on the other end of the field.

Lights FC came out of halftime with an energetic pace, and immediately created several scoring chances. They finally broke through in the 77th minute, when after the Orange County SC keeper saved a Garduño header attempt, Kanan was there to clean things up and score his first goal of the preseason.

"All of the things that we show or do in a game, we practice them the whole week," Kanan said. "Always sticking to the play is something we practice, and today, it gave us a (goal)."

As was the case against MLS opponent D.C. United in February's Soccer Spring Training finale at Cashman Field, Lights FC then had some clean opportunities in crunch time to deliver fireworks. In the 88th minute, midfielder Matt Thomas and forward Sammy Ochoa each had header attempts that nearly put Lights FC on top.

Overall, it was a solid finish to the preseason, with the team heading back now to put the finishing touches on things before the results truly count, beginning next Saturday night.

"It was a very good scrimmage for us, because this is going to be our league, the kind of (opposition) we're going to have the whole season," Garduño added. "We know that we're ready for the league."

2018 LIGHTS FC TICKET INFO

Single-game tickets for all USL regular season matches, starting March 24 at Cashman Field vs. in-state rival Reno 1868 FC, are now on sale, starting at just $15. Purchase today by visiting LightsFC.com/SingleTix or by calling 702.728.GOAL (4625) during regular business hours. Tickets are also available for purchase at all La Bonita Supermarket locations in the Las Vegas valley.

Lights FC 2018 season tickets are also still on sale, starting at just $170 for the remaining 17 home-match schedule. Each season ticket purchased includes a free team jersey (valued at $80). Tickets for groups of 10 or more are also now on sale, starting at just $18 per ticket, with each ticket purchased including a free Lights FC scarf (valued at $20). For more ticketing inquiries, visit LightsFC.com.

Las Vegas Lights FC Midfielder Carlos Alvarez battles Orange County SC for possession (Liza Rosales / Orange County SC)

United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 9, 2018

• Tampa Bay Rowdies Defeat USF Bulls 5-2 in Preseason Finale - Tampa Bay Rowdies
• Lights FC Battles Orange County Sc to 1-1 Draw in Preseason Finale - Las Vegas Lights FC
• Fresno FC Introduces Andrew Donnery as Head Coach of PDL U23 Side - Fresno FC
• Penn FC Signs Fabio De Sousa - Penn FC
• Louisville City FC Signs Defender Shaun Francis - Louisville City FC
• Roughnecks Play Preseason Finale Saturday - FC Tulsa
• North Carolina Football Club Announces College Night for April 7 - North Carolina FC
• T2 Acquire Winger Marvin Loria - Portland Timbers 2
• Phoenix Rising Announces Carvana as Official Front of Jersey Sponsor - Phoenix Rising FC
• Fury FC Adds More Canadiana with Return of Reid - Ottawa Fury FC
• 3 Days Left: Vote to Name the Annual In-State Rivalry Series Between Las Vegas Lights FC and Nevada's Other FC - Las Vegas Lights FC
• Trinidad & Tobago International, MLS Veteran Joins Independence - Charlotte Independence
• Bethlehem Steel FC's Scrimmage against New York Red Bulls II Forced to be Closed to the Public - Philadelphia Union II

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Las Vegas Lights FC Stories

• Las Vegas Lights FC Signs Midfielder Tommy McNamara
• Las Vegas Lights FC Announces Devin Rensing as Head Coach
• Las Vegas Lights FC Acquires Forward McKinze Gaines and Defender Anthony Herbert from New Mexico United
• Las Vegas Lights FC Acquires Forward Stefan Stojanovic from FC Tulsa
• Head Coach Antonio Nocerino and Las Vegas Lights FC Agree to Part Ways