When Las Vegas Lights FC’s new leadership arrived in January led by owner José Bautista and Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia, it came with the promise of doing things differently.

Two-thirds of the way into their first season, the Lights are in a whole new airspace.

• HISTORY MAKERS: Following Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory on the road against New Mexico United, the Lights are on a club-record 10-game undefeated streak. They’re also undefeated in their last five on the road, equaling a club record.

• GIANTKILLERS: The Lights’ victory against New Mexico was the first time the current Western Conference leaders had lost at Isotopes Park since last season. It marked the first time Las Vegas had won away against New Mexico in club history, adding to its first road win all-time against second-placed Sacramento Republic FC earlier in July.

• IN POSITION: The Lights are now level on points with Memphis 901 FC – which holds the head-to-head tiebreaker between the clubs – and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference. They’re six points ahead of ninth-placed Phoenix Rising FC with 12 games to go in their season.

Over the past eight games, there’s only one game in better form than the Lights with 16 points over that span. That’s expansion side Rhode Island FC, which has made its own playoff push in the Eastern Conference with 17 points in its last eight.

There’s been little in the way of good fortune about that surge, either. The Lights have received stellar goalkeeping from Cuban international Raiko Arozarena – who has posted a -4.07 Goals Prevented mark over the 10-game undefeated run – but the wins and draws the side has earned have come with an intensity and execution that are the hallmarks of a team that’s postseason bound.

“They wanted loose balls more in the wide areas. They had a lot more hunger and efficiency... beating us in those one-on-one moments,” said New Mexico Head Coach Eric Quill after Wednesday’s contest. “Their wingers were really dynamic. On the second goal we missed the attack on the sideline. So, we got hurt in the wide areas when all we’ve got to do is turn a guy back to his own goal and make him pass. We’re diving in at people and missing and it starts a trickle-down effect, then runners in the back post are open.”

The Western Conference this season has been a messy, up-and-down affair. That’s allowed a team like Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – which lost five consecutive games to start the season – to be comfortably in playoff position as August begins.

It’s also why the Lights can not only make history with a first postseason berth but bring a playoff game to Cashman Field this season. Not that you’re going to hear anything about that from Head Coach Dennis Sanchez, who remains as level-headed as ever despite taking 10 points from four road games in July.

“We want to respect the past, but at the same time, be present and not get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Sanchez on Wednesday. “We know that every time we step on the field, we have to one, respect our opponent, and two, prove ourselves. We’re going to keep going step-by-step.”

But inside the Lights’ locker room, they must know it’s there for the taking.

• POSTIVE MOMENTUM: With 12 games to go, Las Vegas ranks fifth in Expected Points in the Western Conference per American Soccer Analysis. The Lights’ current undefeated run is putting pressure on their fellow challengers to keep up.

• IMPACT ARRIVALS: Neglia continues to look for roster upgrades. The two newest arrivals made an impact against New Mexico. Defender Grayson Doody notched the assist on the opening goal and midfielder Ousman Jabang completed 45 of 50 passes in their first starts for the side.

• RUN-IN POTENTIAL: Of the Lights’ remaining 12 games, eight come against teams with fewer points than Las Vegas as of August 1. These are games that on paper should be winnable. If the Lights want to bring the playoffs home, they need to deliver here.  

At the start of the campaign, Neglia said reaching the postseason for the first time in club history was the goal.

That’s still baseline expectation, but now the potential for the Lights’ 2024 campaign could rise as high as the Las Vegas skyline.