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Lights FC Reveals Local Quintet

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 01/08/18, 7:04PM EST

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Portugal, Jaime among Las Vegas standouts named to preseason roster


Photo courtesy Las Vegas Lights FC

LAS VEGAS – The first five players named to Las Vegas Lights FC were revealed on Monday as local standouts were placed front at center in the 2018 USL expansion club’s first preseason.

The quintet of defender Marco César Jaime Jr. and midfielders Adolfo Guzman, Sebastian Hernandez, Julian Portugal and Matt Thomas were introduced to the media as Lights FC begins its preparations in earnest for its first season at Cashman Field.

“A key point of our Local Promise to the Las Vegas community is to offer a chance for the soccer talent in this city to be seen on the professional stage, no matter where in town that talent has been cultivated,” Lights FC Owner & CEO Brett Lashbrook said. “These five young men will have a chance to make their professional dreams come true in the city they call home.”

The 25-year-old Portugal notably brings prior USL experience, with the former University of Nevada – Las Vegas midfielder having played for Tulsa Roughnecks FC in its inaugural season in 2015. Jaime, aged 22, also brings an impressive pedigree, having been named in the preliminary roster for Mexico’s squad at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015 after competing for Deportivo Toluca in Copa MX.


Julian Portugal in action for Tulsa Roughnecks FC / Photo courtesy Steven Christy / OKC Energy FC

The full preseason roster for Lights FC will be unveiled on Tuesday, with the club set to square off with three MLS opponents ahead of its inaugural season in late February. For all five players, the opportunity to earn their place in the spotlight has arrived.

“We are incredibly proud to be the first professional sports team to ever guarantee a roster spot every season to at least one – if not more – local player,” said Lashbrook.

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