Ray Brewer: From the Pressbox

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Las Vegas Lights FC trying their best to create rivalry with Reno

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Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau

Las Vegas Lights head coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, also known as Chelis, paces the sidelines during the Lights first exhibition game against the Montreal Impact Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Cashman Field.

Tue, Mar 6, 2018 (2 a.m.)

Some in Las Vegas have a low opinion of the sports teams in Reno. It’s safe to add officials from our new soccer team, the Las Vegas Lights FC, to the list.

The minor league franchise, to its credit, is trying to ignite a rivalry with Reno 1868 FC with some playful — I think playful — trash talk. Las Vegas hosts Reno March 24 in its home opener.

In a statement to solicit fans to vote for the name of the series between the two, Las Vegas officials refuse to mention the Reno team by its name. Marketing genius, right?

“In the state of Nevada, there are two soccer teams — Las Vegas Lights FC and them,” Lights FC coach José Luis Sánchez Solá said. “The No. 1 team is Las Vegas Lights FC, the No. 2 is them. This great truth will be confirmed by Lights FC on March 24.”

The five options for the series include: Nevada Cup, Silver State Cup, Gamblers’ Cup, Copa Nevada and Governor’s Cup. You can also make a recommendation, such as mine — the Sagebrush Challenge.

Lights vs. D.C. United

Players watch as Las Vegas Lights Joel Huiqui heads the ball towards the goal during their final preseason game against D.C. United Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Cashman Field. D.C. United won the game 4-2. CREDIT: Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau Launch slideshow »

The teams also play in Reno Aug. 28 and Sept. 22.

“First we win Nevada, then we win USL,” Lights FC Owner & CEO Brett Lashbrook said. “Those are our club’s top on-field priorities.”

Las Vegas opens March 17 at Fresno.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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