D.C. United will travel to Las Vegas to face USL side Lights FC in a preseason exhibition match on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. PT. In preparation of the start of the Major League Soccer season, the Black-and-Red will take on Lights FC as part of the team's inaugural Soccer Spring Training event, which aims to bring MLS competition to Las Vegas. In addition to facing the Black-and-Red, Lights FC are also scheduled to take on the Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the prior two weekends at Cashman Field.
While Lights FC will be preparing to make their United Soccer League debut, the Black-and-Red will be focused on refining their road game as they prepare to kick off a schedule front loaded with away matches before the opening of Audi Field.
Preseason friendlies remain one of the best ways for players to build up their physical stamina, sharpen team chemistry, and ease back into competing at peak levels. Last preseason, United faced the Under-17 U.S. Men's National Team (6-0 win), the Philadelphia Union (2-2 draw), and Swedish top-tier side Jönköpings Södra IF (3-2 win) in friendlies at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Ben Olsen and co. then continued their preseason preparations in Clearwater, Fla., where they competed in the Tampa Bay Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, facing the Montreal Impact (4-2 loss), USL's Saint Louis FC (3-0 win), and the Philadelphia Union (3-2 win).
