New Lights coach Wynalda: ‘The potential here is immense’

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 | 10:45 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 | 4:49 p.m.

Eric Wynalda was eating lunch with a friend in Las Vegas about 10 years when she asked, “Wouldn’t it be great if Vegas had a soccer team and you were the coach?”

Las Vegas now has a team in the Lights. And they now have a new coach and technical director, Wynalda.

“That was my first call this morning,” said Wynalda, the U.S. soccer great, about contacting his friend.

Wynalda started in three World Cups for the United States (1990, ‘94 and ‘98) and was the U.S. Soccer Federation Player of the Decade for the 1990s.

More important, he’s a former Las Vegas resident with deep admiration for the area, and is also a Spanish speaker. Many of the team’s fan base are Hispanic, meaning Wynalda will be able to continue the club’s tremendous outreach with Latinos.

“The potential here is immense,” said Wynalda, who formerly lived at Canyon Gate Country Club. “I fought for this job because I know what this city is all about. ...I didn’t realize it until I live here. This city has much more to offer than people realize. When you spend time here, you are exposed to a new world. Truth is, when it comes to soccer, this is a very vibrant and knowledgeable community.”

The Lights finished with an 8-19-7 record in their inaugural season. Technical director Chelís left the team before the season ended. Coach Isidro Sánchez, Chelís’ son, was fired last week.

Like Chelís, a notable soccer commentator in Mexico, Wynalda has also been prominent in soccer media in adding to his name recognition. He’s worked the past decade as an analyst for Fox Sports and also has a Sirius XM show — roles he will be giving up to coach the Lights.

"Talking about people who were part of the game wasn't enough for me," he said. "I was desperate to again be part of it. Coaching is so much more rewarding than playing. The opportunity to help young player realize their potential and have great moments is gratifying."

Wynalda, who is part of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, started coaching in 2012 with Cal FC, an amateur club he guided to best-ever finish by an amateur team in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In the run to the event’s fourth round, Wynalda’s team beat the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, according to the statement announcing his hiring in Las Vegas.

Wynalda also coached the Atlanta Silverbacks to the 2013 North American Soccer League spring championship.

“Lights FC has big aspirations. And today’s announcement further signifies our commitment to create a professional soccer club that aspires to both make Las Vegas proud while becoming the next great American soccer success story,” Las Vegas Lights FC Owner and CEO Brett Lashbrook said in a statement. “We are incredibly thankful for the community’s support in our inaugural season, but our expectations in year two must be raised higher. Eric joining Lights FC is a testament to the type of club we’ve built.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21