2012–13 Las Vegas Legends season

Las Vegas Legends

2012–13 PASL season
President/
General Manager		 United States Meir Cohen
Head Coach United States Greg Howes
Arena Orleans Arena
Paradise, Nevada
Professional Arena Soccer League 1st, Southwestern
Ron Newman Cup Lost in Semi-Final
US Open Cup Semi-Finals
Highest home attendance 2,427
(January 18)
vs San Diego Sockers
Lowest home attendance 575
(December 29)
vs Arizona Storm
Average home league attendance 1,165 (over 8 home games)[1]
← N/A 2013-14 →

The 2012–13 Las Vegas Legends season was the first season of the Las Vegas Legends indoor soccer club. The Legends, a Southwestern Division team in the Professional Arena Soccer League, played the majority of their home games in the Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nevada.[2] (Three "holiday season" games were relocated to an indoor soccer facility at the Las Vegas Sports Park.)[3] The team was led by team president and general manager Meir Cohen,[4] head coach Greg Howes, plus assistant coaches Peter Sharkey and Patrick Lawrence.[5]

Season summary

The Legends were successful in the regular season, compiling a 13–3 record and clinching the Southwestern Division title. They fared better on the road than at home, going undefeated at away games but only 5–3 at home. The team advanced to the postseason and earned the right to play for the Ron Newman Cup in the PASL National Championship. The Legends defeated Toros Mexico in two straight games, winning the Southwestern Divisional Finals and advancing to the Semi-Finals to face the San Diego Sockers in San Diego, California. The Legends lost to the Sockers 6–5 in overtime, ending their playoff run.[6][7]

The Legends participated in the 2012–13 United States Open Cup for Arena Soccer. They defeated Real Phoenix in the Wild Card round, the CSC Cavalry of the Premier Arena Soccer League in the Round of 16, and the Tacoma Stars in the Quarter-Finals before losing in the Semi-Finals to the San Diego Sockers.

Off-field moves

The Legends paid a $50,000 fee to the PASL to participate in the 2012-13 season.[8] The team was initially to be called the Las Vegas Knights, after a local semi-pro soccer team under the same ownership, but a last-minute decision changed the team's name to Legends.[9]

KHDF-CD ("Azteca 19") broadcasts select Las Vegas Legends games.[10]

In early January 2013, the Legends announced that their pivotal January 18 match against the San Diego Sockers would be dedicated to the memory of Allison Wyatt, one of the children murdered in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012. Wyatt was the oldest daughter of Ben Wyatt, the vice president of TransAct Technologies, a company with strong Las Vegas ties. The team is donating proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales, a silent auction, and other fundraisers to the Allison Wyatt Memorial Fund.[11]

Roster moves

The Legends signed their first player, veteran Enrique Tovar, in a ceremony at the Luxor Las Vegas on August 7, 2012.[12] Multiple rounds of tryouts in late August 2012 were used to winnow a field of more than 100 applicants to round out the team's final roster.[13] Players selected include local standouts Eric Guzman and Edgar Nava.[14] Guzman, just 19 when the season began, is the youngest player on the Legends roster.[15] Veteran Emmanuel Ayim has a doctorate in sports education leadership and is an academic adviser at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[16]

Brazilian-born Ricardo Sobreira, better known as Ricardinho, emerged as the team's leading scorer. Ricardinho quickly became a fan favorite, drawing praise from his coach and attention from both fans and local media.[15]

Corey Adamson, most recently of the Panama City Beach Pirates, has made appearances on the Legends roster.[17]

Brian Fitzmaurice, a former standout soccerplayer at T. C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina, is now a defender for the Legends.[18]

Forward Franck Tayou and defender Uzi Tayou are brothers, two of nine siblings who emigrated to the United States with their father after fleeing Cameroon to escape political persecution. The brothers have lived in Las Vegas since 2006.[19]

Awards and honors

On December 18, 2012, the Professional Arena Soccer League named Rodrigo Barbirato as its Player of the Week. The league cited his hat trick in Las Vegas' win over Real Phoenix on December 15 and his 14 points in the team's first 5 games this season.[20]

On February 19, 2013, the PASL named Enrique "Qeeks" Tovar as its Player of the Week. The PASL cited his three goals and five assists against the Anaheim Bolts in the Legends's final regular season match plus his setting of a new league record for assists in a single season.[21]

In postseason honors, defender Eric Guzman was named to the 2012-13 PASL All-League First Team and forward Enrique Tovar was named to the 2012-13 PASL All-League Second Team. Greg Howes was the runner-up for the 2012-13 PASL Coach of the Year honor.[22]

Schedule

  Win   Tie   Loss

Pre-season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[23] Attendance
Final Score Record
1 Thursday October 18 7:00pm Stars of Mexico W 8–7 (OT)[24] 1–0 Orleans Arena[25] 4,100+[24]

Regular season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[23] Attendance
Final Score Record
1 Thursday November 1 7:00pm Arizona Storm W 11–2[26] 1–0 Orleans Arena 775[27]
2 Sunday November 4 2:00pm Anaheim Bolts L 8–11[28] 1–1 Orleans Arena[29] 1,145[30]
3 Friday November 9 8:00pm at Turlock Express W 10–6 2–1 Turlock Soccer Complex 534[31]
4 Saturday November 10 7:00pm at Sacramento Surge W 8–2 3–1 Off The Wall Soccer Arena 324[32]
5 Sunday November 18 4:00pm at Toros Mexico W 13–3[33] 4–1 Unisantos Park 314[34]
6 Sunday December 9 2:00pm Toros Mexico W 16–9[35] 5–1 Orleans Arena[10] 1,246[36]
7 Saturday December 15 7:00pm Real Phoenix† W 10–4[37] 6–1 Orleans Arena 765[38]
8 Saturday December 29 7:00pm Arizona Storm W 8–6 7–1 Las Vegas Sports Park[3] 575[39]
9 Friday January 4 7:00pm Tacoma Stars† W 15–6[15] 8–1 Las Vegas Sports Park 620[40]
10 Saturday January 12 7:00pm
(6:00pm Pacific)		 at Real Phoenix W 6–1 9–1 Barney Family Sports Complex 203[41]
11 Sunday January 13 4:00pm
(3:00pm Pacific)		 at Arizona Storm W 12–5 10–1 Arizona Sports Complex 125[42]
12 Friday January 18 7:00pm San Diego Sockers† L 5–6[43] 10–2 Orleans Arena[15] 2,427[44]
13 Sunday January 27 5:05pm
(4:05pm Pacific)		 at Arizona Storm W 17–7 11–2 Arizona Sports Complex 222[45]
14 Thursday January 31 7:00pm Dallas Sidekicks L 2–4[46] 11–3 Orleans Arena 1,119[47]
15 Saturday February 9 4:00pm
(3:00pm Pacific)		 at Real Phoenix W 13–4 12–3 Arizona Sports Complex 69[48]
16 Sunday February 17 4:00pm at Anaheim Bolts W 20–5[49] 13–3 Anaheim Convention Center[50] 769[51]

† Game also counts for US Open Cup, as listed in chart below.

Postseason

Round Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location Attendance
Final Score Record
Division Finals Game 1 Saturday February 23 3:30pm at Toros Mexico W 10–8 1–0 Valley View Casino Center 412[52]
Division Finals Game 2 Sunday February 24 4:00pm Toros Mexico W 10–4[53] 2–0 Orleans Arena[19] 1,023[54]
Semi-Finals Sunday March 10 6:30pm at San Diego Sockers L 5–6 (OT)[6][7] 2–1 Valley View Casino Center[55][56] 4,287[57][58]

2012–13 US Open Cup for Arena Soccer

Game Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location Attendance
Final Score Record
Wild Card December 15 7:00pm Real Phoenix W 10–4[37] 1–0 Orleans Arena 765[38]
Round of 16 December 28 7:00pm CSC Cavalry
(PASL-Premier)		 W 18–3[59] 2–0 Las Vegas Sports Park[3] 620[60]
Quarter-final January 4 7:00pm Tacoma Stars W 15–6 3–0 Las Vegas Sports Park 620[40]
Semi-final January 18 7:00pm San Diego Sockers L 5–6[43] 3–1 Orleans Arena[15] 2,427[44]

References

  1. ↑ "League Attendance". Professional Arena Soccer League. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ Kelemen, Matt (October 26, 2012). "Ready to Score; Las Vegas Legends bring pro indoor soccer to the Orleans Arena". Las Vegas Magazine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Games Rescheduled: Las Vegas Legends Announce Holiday Venue Change, Prepare to Play Top PASL Teams in January" (Press release). Las Vegas Legends. December 21, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  4. ↑ Kantowski, Ron (August 23, 2012). "Local expansion soccer team puts best feet forward". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ Espersen, Justine (June 26, 2012). "Las Vegas scores new professional sports team". The Guardian Express. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Leonard, Tod (March 10, 2013). "Sockers win in OT, reach Cup final". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Sockers eliminate Legends in overtime, 6-5". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. March 11, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ Maathuis, Chris (June 26, 2012). "Indoor Soccer Team Coming to Las Vegas". KLAS-TV. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  9. ↑ DeFrank, Sean (July 12, 2012). "Creating a Killer Logo". Vegas Seven. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Legends Continue to Dominate Division with Commanding 16-9 Victory over Mexico Toros". Our Sports Central. December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Allison Wyatt Memorial Game". Las Vegas Legends. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  12. ↑ Forster, Chad (August 7, 2012). "Las Vegas Legends Land First Player". Las Vegas, NV: KLAS-TV. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  13. ↑ Pratt, Timothy (August 30, 2012). "Hope on Turf". Vegas Seven. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  14. ↑ Brown, Jerry (December 31, 2012). "Two Las Vegas prep soccer standouts play for Legends". Las Vegas, NV: KSNV-TV. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Dewey, Todd (January 5, 2013). "Ricardinho, Legends burnish skills, stats". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ Snel, Alan (January 20, 2013). "Nevadan at Work: 'Professor' stresses goals on soccer field and life". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  17. ↑ Shoot, Jason (January 14, 2013). "PCB Pirates eye bright future". The News Herald. Panama City, FL: Halifax Media Group. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  18. ↑ Pearson, Andrew (January 15, 2013). "Fitzmaurice finds success in Vegas". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, NC: Gannett Company. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  19. 1 2 Dewey, Todd (February 23, 2013). "Tayous fit in on field, in culture". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. December 18, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Professional Arena Soccer League Update". Our Sports Central. March 4, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "Las Vegas Legends Schedule". Our Sports Central. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  24. 1 2 "Game Report 10-18-2012". Las Vegas Legends. October 18, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Las Vegas Legends to Host Luis "el Matador" Hernandez and Stars of Mexico at Orleans Arena" (Press release). Professional Arena Soccer League. October 17, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ Pratt, Timothy (November 8, 2012). "The Stuff of Legends: Two brothers, a swiftly changing culture and the birth of Las Vegas’ latest pro soccer franchise". Vegas Seven. Las Vegas, NV. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Thu, Nov 01, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  28. ↑ "What Happens in Vegas... Bolts win road thriller with Legends". LA Soccer News. November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Bolts Defeat Las Vegas 11-8 in Emotional Road Battle". Our Sports Central. November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sun, Nov 04, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Box Score: Turlock Indoor Soccer - Fri, Nov 09, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 9, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Box Score: Off The Wall Indoor Soccer - Sat, Nov 10, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Las Vegas Legends take match in Tijuana". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Box Score: Unisantos Sports Park - Sun, Nov 18, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 18, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  35. ↑ Kantowski, Ron (December 10, 2012). "Soccer in a greenhouse sees rise in popularity, too". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sun, Dec 09, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  37. 1 2 Jones, Tom IV (December 19, 2012). "Las Vegas Legends (photo gallery)". Las Vegas Informer. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  38. 1 2 "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sat, Dec 15, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Box Score: Las Vegas Sports Park - Sat, Dec 29, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 29, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  40. 1 2 "Box Score: Las Vegas Sports Park - Fri, Jan 04, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Box Score: Barney Indoor Sports - Sat, Jan 12, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 12, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Box Score: Arizona Sports Complex - Sun, Jan 13, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 13, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  43. 1 2 Dewey, Todd (January 19, 2013). "Legends miss out on upset". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  44. 1 2 "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Fri, Jan 18, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Box Score: Arizona Sports Complex - Sun, Jan 27, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Dallas Sidekicks One Step Closer to Playoffs, Division Title with 4-1 Win". Our Sports Central. February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Thu, Jan 31, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. January 31, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Box Score: Arizona Sports Complex - Sat, Feb 09, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Bolts Finish Season with 20-5 Loss to Hungry Las Vegas". Our Sports Central. February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Outmatched: Anaheim Bolts fall to Las Vegas 20-5". LA Soccer News. Los Angeles, CA. February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Box Score: Anaheim Convention - Sun, Feb 17, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 17, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  52. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sat, Feb 23, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 23, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  53. ↑ Dewey, Todd (February 25, 2013). "Legends complete series sweep, advance to PASL playoff semis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Box Score: Orleans Arena - Sun, Feb 24, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 24, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  55. ↑ Leonard, Tod (March 9, 2013). "Sockers, Susi have eyes on another title". U-T San Diego. San Diego, CA: MLIM Holdings. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  56. ↑ Dewey, Todd (March 10, 2013). "Legends coy about roster addition for PASL semis". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Las Vegas, NV: Stephens Media. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  57. ↑ "Box Score: Valley View Casino Arena - Sun, Mar 10, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  58. ↑ "Chiky's OT Strike Sends San Diego into PASL Championship Game". Our Sports Central. March 11, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  59. ↑ "Las Vegas Legends vs CSC Cavalry". Premier Arena Soccer League, Rocky Mountains Division. December 28, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  60. ↑ "Box Score: Las Vegas Sports Park - Sun, Dec 28, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. December 28, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
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