Reno, Nev.– Reno 1868 FC dropped their first home match of the year tonight, falling 3-0 to Phoenix Rising FC. Phoenix moves to 8-2-5 on the season, leading the USL’s western conference. Reno falls to 6-4-5, good for fifth in the west.

Phoenix jumped out to the early lead with a seventh minute goal by Adam Jahn, assisted by Solomon Asante. Reno went into halftime trailing 1-0 despite outshooting Phoenix 17-5 in the first 45 minutes.

“In the first half I thought we played really well,” said head coach Ian Russell. “We created a bunch of really good chances. We should’ve scored goals in the first half.”

In the 56th minute, Phoenix would add another off the foot of Asante. The goal was assisted on by Jose Aguinaga. In stoppage time, Phoenix would tack on a third goal, this one by Joey Callistri, assisted by Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu. Phoenix outshot Reno 14-4 in the second half to secure the victory.

“In the second half they dropped and made it hard on us,” said Russell.

This is just the sixth time ever Reno has been shut out on their home pitch, with the last coming April 14, 2018. 

“I’m already looking forward to looking at the film. To be honest I was happy with how we played for the most part,” Russell said. “I was happy with how the guys created opportunities. Most nights those turn into goals, tonight they didn’t.”

Reno will be back in action next Wednesday in Oregon to take on Portland Timbers 2. The action gets underway at 7:00 p.m. PT, and will be streamed on ESPN+.

 

Reno 1868 FC Starting XI

GK (12) Matt Bersano, D (5) Zach Carroll ©, D (3) Benjamin Galindo Cruz, D (16) Brent Richards,

D (11) Duke Lacroix, M (84) Seth Casiple, M (40) Raul Mendiola, M (23) Sam Gleadle, M (97) Sergio Rivas, F (21) Corey Hertzog, F (9) Danny Musovski

 

Substitutes

GK (25) Damion Lewis D (6) Thomas Janjigian, D (15) Yosimar Hernandez, D (13) Nathan Aune, M (20) Mark Hernandez, F (17) Aidan Apodaca, D (2) Emrah Klimenta

 

Substitutions

69’ Aidan Apodaca àDanny Musovski

79’ Sam Gleadle àThomas Janjigian

87’ Nathan Aune àBenjamin Galindo Cruz

 

Cards

Raul Mendiola 24’

Benjamin Galindo Cruz 53’