Opponent: Las Vegas Lights FC
Match Date: June 18
Location: Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada
Kickoff: 8:30pm MT
How to Listen: XTRA Sports 1300am with the Voices of the Switchbacks, Ryan Kaufman and Roland Vargish – coverage starts at 8pm MT.
Coach Chamber’s Comments: “[It was a] good result [against Orange County]. [In the] first half I thought we were dominant – we were in control of the game and [then] we got a warning right before half time, and we spoke about it at half time, and we didn’t address it. We came out second-half and we got bit. We got bit by two really good moments – obviously Bryce [Jamison] has a fantastic strike and then makes a good run to the box. And then [our] individuals pull us out of a hole that we got ourselves into. So [we are] happy with the result but again it’s a huge learning experience for us as a group. Look, we can’t be complacent at any moment in a 98-minute game. “I thought [Maalique Foster and Yosuke Hanya] were exceptional [against Orange County]. I thought Yosuke’s first goal was brilliant, and I thought he was fantastic all night. Maalique was excellent as well – he had really good moments of creativity [and] probably could have had another one or two. [Maalique] had some real [good] individual moments, and he probably doesn’t get the rub of the green that he deserves in those moments. I thought [Maalique’s] second finish was excellent and then Yosuke’s second one was excellent [from him] to get into the box too. They were the best two players on the park for us.”
Looking at the Las Vegas Lights: “We’re happy with the result [against OC], but it’s done now and we’ve got to turn our attention to Vegas,” continued Head Coach Hogan. “I thought [the Lights] were excellent in Loudoun [on Friday night in a 1-1 draw in Leesburg, Virginia]. They were really, really good [and a] real threat, so we’re aware of what we’re going into on Tuesday on a short turnaround. “[Valentin] Noël [is a player to watch] and then obviously [J.C.] Ngando in the middle of midfield. I think [Coleman] Gannon has been really good and I thought Khori Bennett was excellent
[against Loudoun United] and then their wide players were the threat as well. [Vegas] brought on a fresh front three and caused a lot of trouble [for Loudoun] – they could have easily won the game [and] they could have easily lost the game. It was a good game to watch actually, [and] they have a lot of talented players who are eager to prove themselves and they’re a dangerous opponent, there’s no doubt about that.”
Vargish’s View: The Switchbacks are now unbeaten in their last eight matches and have ensconced themselves in the top-half of the USL Championship’s Western Conference table. Despite weather apps proudly announcing that Tuesday is set for a “cool off!” in Las Vegas, temperatures at kickoff in Sin City will be hovering around 90 degrees, putting even further importance on maintaining possession. The offensive performance against Orange County was the Switchbacks’ best this season, but defensive lapses and breakdowns helped OC steal two goals at Weidner Field. On Tuesday night, the Switchbacks have to stay switched-on defensively and force their will and style of a Lights team that has just one win in their last 10 league matches.
