USL expansion teams Las Vegas and Fresno FC appoint head coaches

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Nov 13, 2017

Las Vegas and Fresno FC named the head coaches for their launch in the USL in 2018.

Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, which coached Chivas USA in 2013, will be the USL expansion team Las Vegas Lights' first head coach.

Chelis, currently an analyst on ESPN Deportes’ daily soccer show Futbol Picante, will be introduced during a press conference on Tuesday in  Las Vegas.

Chelis, who will begin working immediately, has a long coaching career in Mexico with Puebla (2006-10, 2014), Estudiantes Tecos (2010-11), Tamaulipas (2012), Veracruz (2014) and Venados (2016-17).

Lights FC owner and CEO Brett Lashbrook: “We want everything about this club to represent Las Vegas, while also pushing the envelope and breaking the mold of professional soccer in America. With his style and his overall approach, Chelis being our head coach is a natural and perfect fit. We want to play an attacking, flashy, exciting brand of soccer, and Chelis shares that same vision. He’s proven it – with success – at previous coaching stops, and does it with a sense of style and flair that fits with our vibrant, electric city and community.”

Sacramento Republic FC assistant coach Adam Smith was named Fresno FC's head coach for its first season in the USL in 2018.

The Englishman spent the last three years with Sac Republic FC after working for the Portland Timbers for five seasons, two as their goalkeeping coach.

Fresno FC general manager Frank Yallop: "As an organization, we couldn’t be  more pleased to have Adam leading our club. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for in a head coach and comes from a fantastic football pedigree. His experience and familiarity with the USL makes him the right choice to lead the team in our inaugural year.”