The Lights Lounge: The Official Las Vegas Lights FC Podcast

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio del Lights Lounge!En esta ocasión nos acompaña uno de nuestros asistentes técnicos, Gerson Echeverry. Gerson y Gabriel charlan sobre la experiencia de crecer en Cali, Colombia, el choque cultural que significó mudarse a los Estados Unidos a una temprana edad, su carrera en el fútbol universitario y profesional, su transición a la dirección técnica y sus predicciones mundialistas para Colombia y los Estados Unidos. Asegúrate de suscribirte para no perderte de ninguno de nuestros episodios durante la temporada. Síguenos en todas las redes sociales como @LVLightsFC.

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is Lights CEO Shawn McIntosh.In this World Cup focused episode, Will and Shawn chat about what the World Cup means for soccer fans around the globe, analyze the group stage and the USMNT's odds of making a deep run, and predict which national team will win it all.Shawn also reveals who he'd prefer to see lifting the World Cup trophy: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge our guest is goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar.Mason has an incredible story to tell. Will and Mason chat about the culture shock after moving from Connecticut to Florida as a teenager, getting diagnosed with cancer and training through chemotherapy, his painful injury record, and the pivotal moment of his life: meeting his wife.You don’t want to miss this one.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge our guest is Corporate Partnership Activations Manager, Gabrielle Hackbarth.Gabi and Will chat about her upbringing in Hawaii, her stints as a soccer player for Oregon State and UNLV, and why she's so excited about 9th Island Night and AANHPI representation.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge our guest is defender Blake PopeBlake and Will chat about his decision to choose soccer over hockey as a child, risking his college career to make a bet on himself, and reaching 100 matches as a pro at only 22.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge our guest is Italian midfielder Giorgio Probo.Giorgio and Will chat about his rise through the Atalanta ranks, his disenchantment with soccer and move to the States, learning English in record time, and his love affair with Halifax, Nova Scotia.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc.

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!In this week's episode of the Lights Lounge our guest is midfielder Marc Ybarra.Marc and Will chat about his record-breaking college soccer career with the University of Michigan Wolverines, his stints at Pittsburgh and Rhode Island, and his recent engagement.Congrats, Marc! Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @lvlightsfc

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio del Lights Lounge!En esta ocasión nos acompaña nuestro entrenador de arqueros, Maximiliano Rabinovich. Maxi y Gabriel charlan sobre su pasión por Boca Jrs, las posibilidades de la seleccion argentina en el Mundial 2026, la carrera de Maxi en la Argentina, Israel y Suecia y la psicología deportiva detras de los mejores arqueros del mundo.Asegurate de subscribirte para no perderte de ninguno de nuestros episodios durante la temporada. Siguenos en todas las redes sociales como @LVLightsFC.

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge!Our guest is Lights forward Ben Mines. Ben and Will start the episode geeking out about their favorite movies and TV shows. Then they talk about Ben's "assist" against El Paso, our upcoming match against Sacramento Republic FC, and his long professional career, going from the New York Red Bulls to the USL Championship.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC

Welcome to another episode of the Lights Lounge! Our guest is Lights center back Nate Jones. Nate and Will chat about some of their favorite movies and books, Project Hail Mary, the team's Home Opener win vs Monterey Bay FC, and upcoming rivals El Paso Locomotive.Nate Jones is a man of culture. Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC

Welcome to a new episode of the Lights Lounge!Our guest is Lights striker Johnny Rodriguez. Johnny and Will chat about preseason in the Dominican Republic, the Lights' performance so far this season, and our upcoming Home Opener against Monterey Bay.Johnny also talks to us about his "impeccable" pickleball record. Whether you choose to believe him is on you. Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio del Lights Lounge!En esta ocasión nos acompaña el delantero venezolano Manuel Arteaga. Manuel y Gabriel charlan sobre su debut con los Lights ante Colorado Springs Switchbacks, nuestro próximo partido ante FC Tulsa, su carrera en general, incluyendo sus pasos por Europa y La Vinotinto, y su opinión sobre la participación venezolana en el Clásico Mundial de Beisbol.Asegurate de subscribirte para no perderte de ninguno de nuestros episodios durante la temporada. Siguenos en todas las redes sociales como @LVLightsFC.

Welcome to a new episode of the Lights Lounge!Our guest is 18-year-old midfielder Carson Locker. Carson and Will chat about how he felt on his official debut with the Lights, his biggest influences on the pitch, his journey from St. Louis to Las Vegas via Cincinnati, and our upcoming match vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome to a new season of The Lights Lounge! Our first guest of the year is none other than Las Vegas Lights Sporting Director, Gianleonardo Neglia.Gian and Will discuss the 2026 squad build in minute detail (from goalkeepers to forwards), break down the team's performance at preseason camp in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and analyze the Lights' season opener rival: Orange County SC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes throughout the season! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 27th episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia.Gian and Will discuss the 2025 season on the field, which ended in disappointing fashion. They dive into an honest and transparent discussion on the lessons learned from this year's roster build, the head coaching change from Antonio Nocerino to Devin Rensing, and the unpredictable injuries that affected key players. However, they also turn the page and chat about the positives that this season brought and how they serve as potential building blocks for 2026.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 26th episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is forward Vaughn Covil.Vaughn and Will discuss the young forward's winding journey from America to England and back again. The San Diego-born forward spent the first eight years of his life Stateside before moving to England with his English father, where he caught the eye of the Southampton Premier League academy. From there, his career included stops all across the English football pyramid, including a formative stop in the 8th tier on non-league football before a return to the bright lights of the second tier Championship with Hull City.Eventually, his journey brought the 22-year-old back to the U.S. with Las Vegas Lights FC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 24th episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is midfielder Rory O'Driscoll.Rory and Will chat about his journey from the snow of Minneapolis and New Hampshire to the desert heat of Las Vegas. As they chat about his journey through youth soccer, college soccer, and into pro soccer, Rory breaks down how he has bounced back from various injuries over the course of his career and how that has shaped his mental strength as a professional soccer player.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

En este episodio nos acompaña Edison Azcona, volante de Las Vegas Lights FC y la selección de República Dominicana.Charlamos sobre su exitoso paso por las selecciones menores de RD, cómo se siente entrenar y convivir con Lionel Messi, el honor de representar a Quisqueya internacionalmente en JJOO y Copa Oro, y sus sueños y aspiraciones viendo hacia el futuro.No olvides suscribirte para estar al tanto de nuestros nuevos episodios. Siguenos como @lvlightsfc en todas las redes sociales!

For our 22nd episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is midfielder - and new captain - Tommy McNamara.Tommy and Will chat about his long career in MLS, where he became a cult hero at New York City FC and the New England Revolution for his long hair and propensity for clutch long-range goals. They take it all the way back to his roots in New York/New Jersey and his college soccer at Brown and Clemson, and they break down what's made Tommy such an effective pro.The team's new captain also analyzes what the team has done well under Devin Rensing and what they still need to improve as the playoff hunt intensifies.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 21st episode of the Lights Lounge, our guest is forward McKinze Gaines.McKinze and Will chat about his first start for the Lights vs Lexington SC, his journey from the suburbs of Austin, Texas to Germany, the thrill of being the first Austinite to score for Austin FC, and his fond memories of his time at Charlotte FC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 20th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is attacker Coleman Gannon.Will and Coleman kick back and chat for over two hours (new podcast record!). They talk about his goal against NCFC and his return from a prolonged injury spell on the sidelines early this season, before jumping into a wide-ranging discussion on Coleman's journey from Atlanta to Columbus to Vegas (with a fascinating stop in Italy). Stick around for some of the best stories told on the pod so far!Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 19th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is young forward Nighte Pickering. Will and Nighte break down some of his best goals, including his most recent tally in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at New Mexico United, and talk about what the team needs to do to keep fighting for the playoff spots with 10 matches remaining. Plus, they chat about how Nighte's journey has taken him from the Deep South, through the FC Dallas Academy, and into the pro game with Memphis 901 FC and Las Vegas Lights FC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 18th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is brand new center back Anthony Herbert. Will and Anthony preview the upcoming rivalry game at New Mexico United before discussing his journey that has taken him all over the world: the streets of Trinidad, the snow of Finland, and now the desert of Las Vegas.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For Episode 17 of The Lights Lounge, our guest is new Head Coach Devin Rensing.On his first day in charge of the Lights, Will and Devin chat about his trajectory as a coach from college soccer to USL Championship, his soccer philosophy and preferred style of play, and his non-negotiables on the pitch.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is in Spanish only. AVISO: Este episodio fue grabado el jueves, 17 de julio.Nuestro invitado del episodio 16 de Lights Lounge es el portero cubano Raiko Arozarena, líder en vallas invictas de la USL Championship.Charlamos sobre el momento actual del equipo, su infancia en Cuba, el momento en el cual cambió el beisbol por el futbol y el largo camino que lo llevó de un pequeño pueblo cubano a brillar en Las Vegas.No olvides suscribirte para estar al tanto de nuestros nuevos episodios. Siguenos como @lvlightsfc en todas las redes sociales!

For our 15th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is defender Shawn Smart. Will and Shawn discuss his Team of the Week, two-goal performance at FC Tulsa, this week's match at Orange County SC, and his journey from Montverde Academy to the Lights via Clemson.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 14th episode of The Lights Lounge, Scouting Coordinator Steve De Benedictis joins us to analyze the fundamentals behind the team's recent winning streak, his day-to-day working for the Lights as a scouting coordinator and analyst, and what he and Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia look for in a player.This episode was recorded on July 4th, before our match vs. Sacramento Republic.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 13th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is Lights' center back, Nate Jones.Will and Nate chat about the team's recent success under Giovanni Troise along with his own journey to playing time in 2025 while on loan from the Colorado Rapids. Then, they dive into Nate's journey from little-recruited prospect to the #5 MLS SuperDraft pick while at the University of Washington.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 12th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is new Lights signing, forward Stefan Stojanovic.Will and Stefan analyze the Lights' win over Monterey Bay FC and chat about his upbringing in a very Serbian household, his college soccer era at Saint Louis University and Georgetown, and the pivotal moment in his life when he decided to go pro.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

For our 11th episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is midfielder Patrick Leal.Will and Patrick chat about perspective and takeaways from the team's recent results. Then, they dive deep into Patrick's journey from Boston to Portugal alongside his twin brother, his Serie A breakthrough with Venezia in Italy, and his return to the United States - all before the age of 21.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our tenth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is defender Younes Boudadi.Will and Younes chat about what went wrong at Sacramento Republic, what needs to improve this Saturday against El Paso Locomotive, Boudadi's journey through Club Brugge's academy setup, his experience representing Morocco at the youth level, and his decision to move to the US to play college soccer. Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our ninth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is defender Elias Gartig. Will and Elias discuss the Lights' defensive solidity during the start of the season, our upcoming match against Sacramento Republic, his upbringing in a small town in Denmark, and how his arrival in Vegas was meant to be without him knowing it. Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our eighth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is defender Jack Singer.Jack and Will chat about the team's victory against Loudoun United, the upcoming game against Colorado Springs Switchbacks, and his unorthodox journey to professional soccer.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our seventh episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is Christian Pinzon.After scoring the game-winner in the club's USL Jägermeister Cup debut, Pinzon discusses what went right for the Lights at Orange County on Saturday and what to expect from AV Alta FC on Wednesday at Cashman. Plus, Pinzon dives into his journey from Southern California high school soccer to professional soccer in Las Vegas. On the way, he's starred in D1 college soccer at Cal State Fullerton, made his first pro stop at his family's favorite Liga MX team, and found his feet in the USL Championship at Rio Grande Valley FC.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our sixth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is Joe Gyau.Joe and Will discuss what needs to improve for the Lights in the fresh USL Jagermeister Cup opportunity. Plus, they chat about Joe's journey from Maryland to some of Germany's top clubs, his time with the USMNT, and how injury and fatherhood have changed his life.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! Follow us on all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our fifth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is defender Gennaro Nigro. We talk about the Lights' strong defensive performances during the start of the season, our upcoming matches vs Chattanooga Red Wolves (U.S. Open Cup) and FC Tulsa (USL Championship), his journey from the New Jersey suburbs to the prestigious AS Roma Academy, and his take on Pro/Rel. Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! And don't forget to follow us on YouTube as @LasVegasLightsFC and all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our fourth episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is Las Vegas Lights FC Chief Executive Officer, Shawn McIntosh.We chat about last week's important win at home vs Orange County, his journey from minor league hockey in Virginia to becoming the Lights' CEO, and what the future holds for the Lights as we enter a new era in the USL Championship's history.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! And don't forget to follow us on YouTube as @LasVegasLightsFC and all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our third episode of The Lights Lounge, our guest is renowned Lights striker Johnny Rodriguez!We talk about his headline transfer to Las Vegas, his emotional return to Oakland, his journey from junior college to pro soccer, and our next rival: Orange County.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! And don't forget to follow us on YouTube as @LasVegasLightsFC and all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome back!For our second episode of The Lights Lounge, our special guest is none other than Lights midfielder and captain Valentin Noël.We analyze the team's next opponent (Oakland Roots), discuss his role as club captain, and explore his unorthodox journey to professional soccer that took him from France to the NCAA ranks with Pitt.Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! And don't forget to follow us on YouTube as @LasVegasLightsFC and all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.

Welcome to The Lights Lounge!Our special guest for our debut episode is none other than Las Vegas Lights FC Sporting Director, Gianleonardo Neglia. We talk about the team's performance in the first two matchdays of the USL Championship, the "logistics" behind the signing of coveted striker Johnny Rodriguez, and why he so firmly believes in the Lights' project Make sure to subscribe to not miss out on any new episodes! And don't forget to follow us on YouTube as @LasVegasLightsFC and all other social media platforms as @LVLightsFC.