skip navigation

Las Vegas Lights FC 2022 Season Preview

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/04/22, 5:00PM EST

Share

2022 Outlook

There were numerous standout individual performances for Las Vegas Lights FC during the 2021 season, but the youth and inexperience of the squad overall meant that on too many occasions the contest turned into a shooting gallery for opposing sides that left Lights FC with the most shots conceded and the second-lowest goal differential (-36) in the USL Championship to only fellow strugglers Loudoun United FC.

That meant a lot of work for goalkeeper Alex Rando, whose 125 saves ranked as the second-most in a Championship regular season all-time, and whose 14-save performance against Phoenix Rising FC early in the season set a new single-game league record. Las Vegas is set to have a new shot-stopper between the sticks this season with Abraham Romero coming over from Orange County SC after seeing action before losing out as the No. 1 to Patrick Rakovsky late in the season. A former Mexico U-21 international, Romero will have two current young El Tri standouts to work alongside with center back Antonio Leone and forward Christian Torres both set to return on loan from Los Angeles FC after competing for the Mexico U-20 side this offseason.

There will also be a new boss on the sideline with Enrique Duran taking over after serving as an assistant to former coach – and new LAFC Head Coach – Steve Cherundolo this year. The big challenge for Duran will be to find a way to get a side that had bright individuals such as midfielder Frank Daroma and winger Danny Trejo become a more cohesive unit overall. The experience of veteran defender Dekel Keinan’s presence for a full campaign should help that along, but it’s going to be a battle for Lights FC to get close to a first postseason appearance once again.

Notable Arrivals

Abraham Romero, Goalkeeper – Young goalkeeper joins from Orange County SC and is set to be new starter

Jorge Almaguer, Midfielder – Former North Texas SC midfielder joins after recording 56 League One appearances

Chase Bromstedt, Midfielder – University of Tulsa midfielder joins professional ranks in Las Vegas

Notable Departures

Roberto Molina, Forward – Young El Salvadoran was selected by Colorado Rapids in 2022 MLS SuperDraft

Julian Vazquez, Forward – Former Mexico U-20 signed with Sporting Kansas City II

Two To Watch


Danny Trejo, Midfielder

Taken as a whole, Danny Trejo’s injury-hit first professional season was probably a disappointing one for both the player and Los Angeles FC, which selected him with the 14th pick of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft before signing him to Las Vegas Lights FC. Once the Cal-State Northridge product got to full fitness, however, he showed what he could be capable of over a full season. After making his first start for Lights FC on September 11, the 23-year-old recorded four goals and one assist in his final nine appearances of the season while ending the campaign with an Expected Goals mark of 6.23xG. If Trejo can find his edge in the final third this season, it could be a very productive campaign, and one that gets his professional career well on track.

Tony Leone, Defender

A Mexico U-20 international, Tony Leone won’t turn 18 years old until late April, but the performances he produced on the Lights FC back line on loan from Los Angeles FC for his first minutes in the professional ranks showed why he’s such a highly regarded prospect. The Long Beach, Calif. native made 22 starts in his 23 appearances and made 31 interceptions and 85 clearances while posting an impressive 68 percent duel success rate and a +4.21 Goals Added mark. Leone should be a fixture on Lights FC’s back line again this season and should also be expected to be part of Mexico’s squad for the Concacaf U-20 Championship later this year as he takes another step toward what appears to be a very bright future at the club and international level.

Coach


Enrique Duran (1st Season)

Part of the LAFC Academy coaching staff since the club’s arrival in Major League Soccer in 2018, Enrique Duran served as an assistant coach to Steve Cherundolo a season ago and now steps into the Head Coach position after Cherundolo’s appointment as LAFC’s Head Coach this offseason. Duran’s development pedigree is high – he’s also a former FC Barcelona Academy coach – and it will be interesting to see if he can achieve results in addition to pushing players like Tony Leone, Christian Torres, Bruce El-Mesmari and Frank Daroma to bigger things.

Key Number


8 Las Vegas Lights FC were capable of taking leads in the 2021 USL Championship season, but it regularly struggled to hold onto them. On eight occasions, the side suffered defeat after having held a lead, and dropped a league-high 28 points from winning positions over the course of the season.

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

View All |

Most Read News

View All

Latest Videos

View All |

Tag(s): Features  Chase Bromstedt  Las Vegas Lights FC  Abraham Romero 

Share