Lights FC’s offense nil in rematch

Local USL team scoreless again vs. Real Monarchs

With just 10 players, Lights FC drew with first-place Real Monarchs SLC when the two United Soccer League western rivals met last month in Utah.

The Lights were itching to face them again Saturday at full strength. This time, the result was worse.

Real Monarchs found the back of the net early to defeat the Lights 2-0 before an announced crowd of 6,810 at Cashman Field.

The Lights’ scoreless streak against Real Monarchs is over 180 minutes. The two clubs played to a 0-0 draw in the first meeting April 30 when Las Vegas’ Marcelo Alatorre received a red card ejection with 80 minutes left to play.

Sebastian Velasquez scored in the third minute Saturday and Josh Heard recorded his goal in the 22nd minute to lift Real Monarchs, who improved to 8-1-1 and remained in first place in the Western Conference standings.

The Lights (2-3-4) will spend plenty of time in Southern California next week for a two-match road trip and will get their technical director Jose Luis Sanchez Sola back from his four-match suspension.

Las Vegas continues its U.S. Open Cup run Wednesday with a thirdround battle versus FC Golden State Force, the Premier Development League outfit from Whittier, California. The winner advances to possibly face a Major League Soccer club.

The Lights will then return to USL action May 26 for a match against LA Galaxy II at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph Lights FC midfielder/forward Matt Thomas breaks away from Real Monarchs SLC defender Andrew Brody (45) during their United Soccer League match Saturday at Cashman Field. Real Monarchs won 2-0.