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Why Isidro Sanchez is back at Lights FC, and ready to work to build a winner

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/25/23, 3:48PM EDT

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Five years after his first stint, Las Vegas’ Head Coach has grown, but still brings same intensity ahead of historic Open Cup clash with RSL for club


Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach Isidro Sanchez is back on the sidelines as the club enters a historic clash with Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night at Cashman Field in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. | Photo courtesy Matt Schlotzhauer / Indy Eleven

Since we last saw Isidro Sanchez on the sideline at Cashman Field, coaching Las Vegas Lights FC in the 2018 season, there have been changes in his life.

For one, he’s a new father, with he and his wife welcoming their daughter Martina this past February and all the responsibilities that entails.

He’s also gained new experiences overseas, working in Spain while earning his UEFA ‘A’ coaching license.

Thanks to the latter, he believes he’s become a better coach, one who is more flexible in delivering what a club needs to succeed.

“I think I’m now more adaptable,” said Sanchez. “Maybe one of the most important qualities of a coach is the ability to adapt. I have the same values, my main principles, but then you need to adapt to the players, because you are just one very small part of it. The players are the most important part.”

On Wednesday, Sanchez will be back at his old stomping grounds for an official game for the first time in five years.

It’s a big night for Lights FC. For the first time in club history, it will take on an opponent from Major League Soccer in Real Salt Lake in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Even bigger, Las Vegas will host the contest at Cashman Field.

After a massive reset this offseason that saw not only the return of Sanchez as the club’s manager but also a roster overhaul that brought in veterans like Erick “Cubo” Torres and Emmanuel Ledesma and younger talent including Andrew Carleton and Las Vegas native Azriel Gonzalez, Las Vegas has been setting about trying to establish its credentials as a side that can compete in the USL Championship year-in and year-out.


Las Vegas Lights FC Head Coach Isidro Sanchez has taken what he described as a 'white canvas' at Lights FC this offseason and is aiming to build a successful squad. | Photo courtesy Las Vegas Lights FC

With the national spotlight on them, the aim is to take that approach to a game with RSL that is a major opportunity for the team to deliver a statement.

“In the Open Cup being an underdog is a perfect scenario,” said Sanchez. “Not just for the owner or the economic stage of marketing for the team, but for us. We have a lot of desire to show, first of all, that we’re serious, that we belong.

“That’s not that we’re not humble and aware of where we are, but we need to show where we want to be. We want to work, and it is not just about saying it, you need to show it. In this case, it’s a perfect place to show where we want to be individually and as a team.”

According to forward Pato Botello Faz – who was among the early arrivals for Lights FC this offseason after scoring eight goals for Detroit City FC last year – Sanchez’s approach in training reflects his desire for Lights FC to become a force. It might be demanding, but it’s focused on delivering results.

“He’s very intense,” said Botello Faz. “He’s very passionate about what he does. He cares a lot, it’s always 100 percent with him. You can never take the day off. I think it’s good for the team and the players.”

It’s the sort of mentality that is going to be crucial against a team with the sort of firepower that Real Salt Lake can bring. While sitting in ninth place in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, the visitors have won two of their last three league outings, including a 3-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday night.

Botello Faz is no stranger to Open Cup upsets, though. A season ago, he and his then-Detroit City FC teammates eliminated Columbus Crew SC at Keyworth Stadium in a 2-1 victory, and there are certain keys the Mexican forward believes Lights FC will need to emulate in order to have the same chance of a surprise.

“You have to treat them like they’re a team in your own division. Don’t look up to them or respect them too much, I think that’s how you make mistakes,” said Botello Faz. “We believe we’re in the same level as that team. Obviously, you have your [Designated Players] and your big-time players that can make the difference but other than that they were pretty even across the board with them.”


Las Vegas Lights FC swept to a 4-0 victory against the LA Force to set up a clash with Real Salt Lake in the Open Cup Third Round, the first time the club will face an MLS opponent in the tournament in its history. | Photo courtesy Lucas Peltier / Las Veg

While he’ll admit that Las Vegas will go in as an underdog on its own turf, Botello Faz adds that tag hasn’t fazed the group yet. That’s been evident in a series of road outings to start the season, where the side used a direct style to record four consecutive draws.

“In every match, no-one picks us to win,” said Botello Faz. “[Isidro] wants to show everyone that we’re capable of doing it. Even if it’s a brand-new team this year, we’re showing people that we’re for real this year, and you’re not just going to come to Vegas or play Vegas and it’ll be an easy win for you anymore. You're going to have to earn it.”

Win or lose on Wednesday night, though, and the work will continue for Sanchez and his group to establish Lights FC as a winner.

After five years away, there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

“I see this daily,” said Sanchez. “I feel I have the resources, I feel I have the scenario, and I have the faith that it will give me the intelligence to be brave and to take the right decisions. The kids are the ones that dream. We need to work, we need to set goals, we need to be consistent, we will need to be brave.

“I’m very happy. I’m very happy with the coaching staff, I’m very happy with the support of the owner, and I’m very happy with the league. Individually, I’m where I want to be.”

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