April 26, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Coming off one of their busiest stretches of the year, Republic FC returns home this weekend where they’ll face off with an upstart Las Vegas Lights team for the first time this season. The Southern Nevada club has surprised many across USL to start 2022, both with their results and individual performances. Take a look at what to expect from this week’s opponent:
Last Week’s Drama
Lights FC split points with LA Galaxy II this past week. The club pulled ahead just after the half-hour mark off the foot of captain Daniel Crisostomo, and took a 1-0 advantage into the break. Great goalkeeping kept the match scoreless in the 16th and 24th minute, as chances from each team were neutralized between the sticks.
Los Dos equalized in the 74th on a phenomenal cross and finish in transition, knotting things at one. While the result would hold, Las Vegas had a bevy of unconverted set piece opportunities kept out by good defending from the visitors that could have easily put them ahead.
Through the First Month
The Sin City club has been the surprise of the league thus far this season. After a last-place finish in the Pacific Division in 2021, Las Vegas has come out to tally four wins in eight matches to open the season – just two short of their total last year. They’ve been led by USL’s March Player of the Month Danny Trejo, who entering the week leads the entire league in scoring with six goals and assists with four.
They’ve partook in a few thrillers, including a 2-1 Win over Phoenix Rising FC on March 19, and a 5-4 result against El Paso Locomotive FC the following week. They fell 3-2 to first place Colorado Springs on April 9, a match decided in the 75th minute.
Head to Head
Historically, Sacramento has been tough on Las Vegas – Lights FC has tallied multiple scores in a contest with Sacramento just one time. Only one match has gone their way in the all-time fixture, a 4-2 result in…