Officially, Las Vegas Lights FC’s 2-0 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC this past Friday night at Southwest University Park equaled the longest undefeated streak in club history.

The last time the Lights went eight games without defeat? It was a stretch at the end of the 2022 season and the start of 2023 that saw the side avoid defeat in four consecutive games either side of the break between the seasons.

Compare then to now. Feels different, doesn’t it?

That’s how far the Lights have come in the six months the club has been owned by six-time Major League Baseball All-Star José Bautista. The official anniversary of the takeover is on Tuesday, with everything having moved at a rapid rate since then.

There was the assembly of a new front office and coaching staff, an entirely new roster, and upgrades that added new amenities to Cashman Field. In all facets, the Lights now feel like an organization that’s determined to do things the right way and is prepared to put its money where its mouth is in that regard.

That’s produced results the kind of which haven’t really been seen in the club’s history. The Lights hadn’t recorded shutouts in three consecutive games prior to this season. Now it’s done that twice this year, helping fuel victories like those on Friday night. The side is currently tied for third in the Championship in shutouts as goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena shows the sort of form he’s displayed for Cuba at the international level.

“Anytime you’re winning games, you’re gaining confidence,” said Lights Head Coach Dennis Sanchez. “The back four have shown that they can work well together, and the expectation is that our goalkeeper comes up big when needed. Raiko’s been fantastic over this last set of games and playing to his capabilities like we know he can do.”

This has been a messy season in the Western Conference, where New Mexico United has emerged to lead the pack but no-one else has been able to put together results with enough consistency. That could be the opening the Lights need to not only reach the postseason for the first time, but be dangerous in the single-elimination format.

With a week off before two big road games to close the month, the Lights are ready to recharge their batteries before they get a shot at making club history