Know Your Opponent: Las Vegas Lights

Is anyone else getting a sense of deja vu?

After a week of rest for the Republic, they return to action with a USL Cup match against Las Vegas. The standings heading into this match had Las Vegas top of the group with 6 points from 2 games played. Sacramento was right behind the Lights on 3 points earned from 1 match played. They were tied with Spokane but behind on total goals scored. The rest of the teams in the group were on 0 points and looking to make a move up in the table this match window. Since the blowout win, Las Vegas has had two more matches in league play. And these additional matches have not been kind to the Lights. They went back home to play both El Paso and Phoenix and lost by scorelines of 1-2 and 0-1 in those matches. Las Vegas hasn't won a game since the beginning of the month, with their last win coming against Loudoun.

Las Vegas Lights

Manager: Antonio Nocerino

Formation: 3-4-3

Regular Season W-L-D: 3-5-3 (9th in USL Western Conference), 2-0-0 (1st in USL Cup Group 1)

Last 5 Games: WDLLL

Previous USL Cup Results: W 3-1 @ Orange County, W 2-1 vs. AV Alta

Players to Watch: Johnny Rodriguez, Valentin Noël

Top Goalscorers: Johnny Rodriguez - 3 goals

Top Assists: Gennaro Nigro - 2 assists

Top Yellow Cards: Valentin Noël - 4 yellow cards

Top Red Cards: None

4) Nighte Pickering's half-volley vs AV Alta. pic.twitter.com/If09nbul6W

— Las Vegas Lights FC (@lvlightsfc) May 21, 2025

📐 @Johnnybgoodd_ finishes from a 𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 angle to open the scoring for @lvlightsfc! pic.twitter.com/9vQ6kRfpMN

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) May 25, 2025

Okay, so I feel we need to start with the negatives for this preview, and it's the attack on Las Vegas. In the league, Las Vegas is tied for last in goals and 6th from bottom in shots. They have converted only 7 goals out of 101 shots. In comparison, Sacramento is tied for 6th in goals and 9th in shots with 15 goals from 122 shots. 7 goals from 11 matches played in the league for Las Vegas. The Lights have only one player in the top thirty in the league, with Johnny Rodriguez tied for 17th in goals. However, it's not as if Las Vegas is short on creators. Players like Christian Pinzon, Gennaro Michael Nigro, and Valentin Noël will be looking to launch balls forward in an attempt to find their strikers. It's just a matter if Las Vegas can capitalize on them. Sacramento was able to shut down most of the opportunities for the Lights in the blowout win, but there were a couple of shots that troubled Vitiello in the net. Also, look out for Nighte Pickering on the counterattacks, as he's been able to get on the scoresheet in those situations.

The main positive is the goalkeeping for the Lights. Las Vegas leads the league with 6 clean sheets. Raiko Arozarena leads all keepers in the league with 5 clean sheets on the season. The thing with Las Vegas, though, is that when they do let in goals, they come in bunches. Whenever Las Vegas has let in multiple goals, it has led to a loss so far this season. Four of their five losses came with scorelines of a 2-3 loss at home to New Mexico, a 1-4 loss at home to Tulsa, a 0-5 loss on the road at Sacramento, and a 1-2 loss to El Paso. And pairing these defensive performances with an attack that seems to be a non-starter at this point in the season, it leaves Las Vegas vulnerable. You might be able to chalk it up to the opponents they lost to playing at an elite level. Yet, for a team that is aiming to replicate their performance from last season, you're gonna need to tighten up the defensive side of the ball and give yourselves a chance in these games. 

Republic Way of Victory: Well, I mean, just replicate the last game. But to break it down. Get on the front foot and cut down the passing opportunities from the Las Vegas midfield. The counter-press worked great for the Republic in the blowout win. The team was able to put immediate pressure on the Las Vegas playmakers and didn't allow them time to take a look upfield and play a dangerous ball forward. The Republic will need to replicate that level of pressure and intensity for the full ninety minutes to get a similar result. We only had 9 shots in the blowout win, so again, we will need to be clinical in front of the goal against Arozarena. We know we can beat this team. They will, of course, come with adjustments, but Sacramento has the ability to get the job done.

(Photo Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC)