3 things to look for in the Lights FC-D.C. United game
The Lights FC plays its final exhibition game against Major League Soccer’s D.C. United at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cashman Field.
Here are three things to look for in the match:
1. Result driven
The Lights scored their first two goals in last Saturday’s exhibition game against MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Now they should be looking for their first result.
D.C., which finished last in MLS’ Eastern Conference in 2017, always loomed as the team’s best chance to get a victory in the preseason, even though United probably will use the game to prepare for its March 3 season opener at Orlando City SC.
The Lights came close to a victory over Vancouver, erasing a 2-0 deficit with 10 men before falling 3-2 after a penalty kick in the 74th minute.
“Just coming back and scoring the two goals, it was really motivating for us,” midfielder Adolfo Guzman said. “We’re excited. We trained hard this week to get back and get our mojo going on.”
The team has been hurt by defensive miscues and red cards in both its exhibition losses, but a cleaner game Saturday could result in a tie or win.
”It’s exciting to play all these MLS teams,” goalkeeper Angel Alvarez said. “It’s such a great experience, and I definitely learn every game.”
2. Finishing the cake
The Lights made a lot of personnel moves this week, trimming their preseason roster from 30 to 22.
Forward/attacking midfielder Gerardo Lugo, who started the first two exhibition games, was the team’s most notable loss, but the Lights appear set to move forward with their remaining players.
”All the guys that stay here have the opportunity to stay in the Las Vegas Lights now,” coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola said. “No more cuts.”
Most of the players the team cut didn’t appear in either of the team’s preseason matches, and Sola said after the loss to Vancouver that he thought the Lights’ core was in place.
“After 57 days of training, my general thought is that today we have the bread of the cake,” Sola said. “It’s important to have the bread of the cake, but it’s not a cake yet. We need to put some details on that, and we are on that way.”
3. Hello to Adu
One of the players still with the Lights is former American soccer prodigy Freddy Adu, who might make his debut with the team Saturday.
Sola said the Lights plan to play Adu against D.C., which selected the midfielder with the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft when he was 14.
“I want to look at Freddy in the stadium, with the fans, with another important team (playing us),” Sola said.
Adu, 28, did not practice with the Lights’ starting group Friday, but could be a substitute off the bench against his former team. He made 87 appearances with United from 2004 to 2006 and scored 11 goals, but when he left the team, he became a journeyman.
Adu attempted to continue his career by joining the Lights as a trialist Jan. 23.
Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.