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.

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.”

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.”