Las Vegas spotlight: Storylines abound for United-Lights FC clash

Saturday, 8:30 p.m., TV: KASY (English); Estrella (Spanish). Streaming: KRQE.com; ESPN+

Dennis Sanchez was not about to go there.

Yes, New Mexico United's head coach is headed back to his old stomping grounds this week, hoping to bite the hand that once fed him. NMU will take on Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night — the same club Sanchez coached to its best-ever season in 2024.

United, employing an if-you-can't-beat-him, hire-him approach, signed Sanchez during the offseason to replace since-departed coach Eric Quill. Ironically, Quill's last match with NMU was a 1-0 playoff loss to Sanchez and Lights FC.

Storylines? You bet.

Elevated emotions for Sanchez, his former players and Lights FC fans? Undoubtedly.

Is Sanchez interested in wading into any of that potential drama? Not even remotely.

"It'll be great to be back in Vegas," Sanchez said, "to see some of the old guys. But I'm really focused on getting three points, figuring out how to build on last weekend's performance."

Next subject.

Of course, New Mexico at Las Vegas doesn't end with Sanchez's coming back to Las Vegas. United's returning players haven't forgotten trudging off the field at Isotopes Park on the wrong end of a 1-0 playoff loss to Lights FC last November.

Ancient history? Not so much.

Asked if that loss is still on his mind, New Mexico's Daniel Bruce said, "I'd love to say, No, on to the next game,' but I think there's a piece of that. A lot has changed since last year, so really that's only a motivating factor for the first few minutes. Then you move on to the task at hand."

Midfielder Mukwelle Akale agreed.

"As soon as you step on the pitch and see those same players, the motivation just hits and you want to go after these guys," he said. "You want to show them you can win. But at the end of the day, this is just one out of 40 matches we'll play this season. You have to treat it like any other game."

New Mexico and Las Vegas both are still getting acclimated to significant offseason changes. Lights FC brought in former Miami FC coach Antonio Nocerino to replace Sanchez, and the Nocerino era got off to a fast start with last week's 1-0 home win over Tampa Bay Rowdies.

New Mexico will be looking to shake off a frustrating 2-1 road defeat to Sacramento Republic FC. United outplayed the home team for long stretches of that contest but could not overcome a red card to defender Kalen Ryden late in the first. The controversial call allowed Republic FC to even the score with a penalty kick and play the second half with a man advantage.

United has done its best to put that outcome in its collective rear-view mirror.

"We're eager to go get back in winning form," Akale said.

From a strategic standpoint, Saturday's match could be noticeably different than last season's United-Lights FC contests. New Mexico remains a high-possession team, racking up 347 passes at Sacramento. Las Vegas, also possession-oriented under Sanchez, had only 242 passes against Tampa Bay.

"A lot of focus has been on us this week," Sanchez said, "but we look at the opponent's strengths and areas we can try to exploit. With Las Vegas, I see us having the ball a lot, pinning them back and trying to figure out ways to attack in the final third."

Sanchez conceded that this week's match is different in that he knows some of Lights FC's strengths and weaknesses, but he pointed out that it's a new team with a new coach and several key newcomers.

Bruce conceded facing Las Vegas may not feel like just another match, but he expects both teams to take a professional approach.

"Regardless who you're playing, the expectation for us is still to get three points," he said. "Do your job and do it well."

Players to watch

New Mexico (0-1-0): United generally looked aggressive and tactically solid during its opener at Sacramento but was undone by a first-half red card to Kalen Ryden that directly produced the tying goal and forced NMU to play down a man in a 2-1 defeat. Despite its man disadvantage, New Mexico was able to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities — things it also accomplished through at even strength. Striker Greg Hurst, last season's top goal scorer, netted United's first tally of 2025 and had two more close calls. Midfielder Mukwelle Akale also had an impactful match with three chances created and a shot on target. Chris Gloster and Marlon Vargas created two chances apiece. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis was tested often as NMU took risks seeking a tying goal. Tambakis ranks second in the USLC with four saves.

Las Vegas (1-0-0): The new-look Lights had a successful opener, defeating Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 in coach Antonio Nocerino's debut. Returning forward Christian Pinzon netted the lone goal, and goalkeeper Nicholas Ammeter posted a clean sheet with three saves. Las Vegas has a number of key players back from the club that ousted New Mexico from the postseason with a 1-0 win in the USLC Western Conference semifinals. That night's goal scorer, Khori Bennett, is not among them, having since signed to play in Kuwait. Some who NMU fans will likely remember include playmaking midfielder Valentin Noel and forward Johnny Rodriguez. Newcomer Ashish Chattha (previously with Orange County) had a strong first performance, as well. Standout goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena is still on Las Vegas' roster but did not appear last week.

GOAL KICKS: Despite hiring Nocerino to replace Dennis Sanchez as head coach, Lights FC underwent fewer changes than last offseason, when it changed ownership, hired Sanchez and largely overhauled its roster. Las Vegas went on to make its first postseason appearance under an ownership group headed by former Major League Baseball star Jose Bautista. The Lights have another MLB tie in goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, who is the brother of Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena.