Courtesy Las Vegas Lights
Lights midfielder Danny Trejo (10) prepares to fire a shot during a March 19 win against Phoenix.
Thursday, March 31, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Lights' upcoming home games
• April 9 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 2 p.m.
• April 16 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7 p.m.
• April 23 vs. LA Galaxy II, 7 p.m.
• May 14 vs. Oakland Roots SC, 7 p.m.
• May 27 vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 7 p.m.
• Tickets: $15-$50 at lightsfc.com/tickets, 702-728-4625 or [email protected].
Orange County SC’s Abraham Romero jogged over to the goalie box for the start of a road game against the Las Vegas Lights and was immediately greeted by playful banter from the home team’s support group.
That’s how it goes at Cashman Field, where the Lights’ biggest fans neither sit nor stay silent. They’re always front and center on game day, impacting the match by chanting fight songs, waving flags, shooting off colorful smoke bombs and, as the netminder Romero learned, talking some friendly trash.
“A game day in Vegas is not easy,” Romero says. “The fans really get into it, and I love that. I’ve never been one to take anything personally, and they make it more fun. But they can get under your skin.”
That enthusiastic crowd will be in support of Romero instead of against him this year, since he’s now the Lights’ primary goalie. Romero made a big first impression when he tallied 20 saves in a 2-1 victory against the Phoenix Rising, one of the league’s consistent powers, in Las Vegas’ home opener March 19.
Game days are never boring in Las Vegas, and that won’t change in the Lights’ fifth season. They put on one of soccer’s most unique productions, with Sports Illustrated having called the Lights “the most interesting team in the world” in 2018.
That was after one of the franchise’s most notable productions, when a helicopter flew over the field at halftime and dropped $5,000 in small bills for select fans to scoop up on the field. It was one of many initiatives Lights CEO/owner Brent Lashbrook looks back on with pride—and aims to top going forward.
One of the unique stunts planned for this season: April 16’s Great American Doggie Derby, for which dogs will be permitted onto the field at halftime and after the game. One week later, on April 23, the Lights will host a halftime pillow fight on the field, with eyes on breaking the current world record of 7,681 participants.
It could be said that the Lights’ field, which is open after each game for autograph sessions, truly belongs to the fans. Seven postgame fireworks displays are also on the schedule, and memorable mascot Dollie the llama is always around.
“You always see players on the other team checking out the llama,” says Cal Jennings, the Lights’ top player. “That’s awesome.”
Lashbrook, who previously served as chief operating officer for Orlando City SC, where he oversaw the club’s transition from USL to Major League Soccer, has never shied away from pushing the envelope for his team’s game-day experience. He strives to provide the casual fan with extra incentives to attend, with hopes they’ll fall in love with the team and the sport.
According to reports, Las Vegas is in line to land an MLS expansion team in the coming years. Lashbrook isn’t commenting on that, because he’s not involved, but if the MLS does arrive, it will have a built-in support system thanks in large part to his work with the Lights.
Some wondered whether the franchise could draw a crowd to an older Downtown venue, but the Lights have consistently ranked in the top 10 for USL attendance. They averaged 6,092 fans in 2020 before the pandemic shut down the season.
“What I really like [from the franchise] is that we are unique,” coach Enrique Duran says. “This is a unique environment for a game. It helps keep the fans engaged and coming back.”
Duran and Lashbrook also hope the Lights’ play on the field keeps fans turning out. The franchise has yet to reach the playoffs—and suffered through a 6-23 record last season—but things are looking up.
The Lights followed their opening win against Phoenix with a 5-4 victory at El Paso, with Jennings scoring twice.
“What I am enjoying from this team is there is always an improvement from the players,” Duran says. “There isn’t a week where we go backwards.”
Romero, who won a USL championship last season with Orange County, raves about the talent on the Lights’ roster. And, he says, “We have a fantastic locker room and team leaders. That will make this team worthy of competing in this league.”
This story appeared in Las Vegas Weekly.
