AUSTIN, Texas– Reno 1868 FC earned three points on the road tonight, beating Austin Bold FC 2-1 to move back into second place in the USL’s Western Conference. The boys in blue own a 15-9-5 record with 50 points on the season. The winning goal came from none other than Danny Musovski, his seventh goal in the last three matches.

“This was a really good road win for us,” said head coach Ian Russell. “I thought we did really well in transition, from defense to attack especially, and created good chances on the break. I thought we defended our box really well too.”

For the second match in a row, Reno would score first. Corey Hertzog would convert his second penalty of the season in the 20th minute to make it a 1-0 Reno lead. The goal was Hertzog’s 14th of the season, tying a career high from 2017 in Pittsburgh. Hertzog already set a career high on the season with six assists.

In the 41st minute Austin would score an equalizer, though it would be short lived. In the 43rd minute, Musovski would finish a Sam Gleadle pass for his seventh goal in the last three matches. The goal added to Musovski’s career-best season goal total, which now sits at 10. Only Hertzog has more among los azules. 

“Danny’s a very dangerous forward,” said Russell. “Really good to get on the end of Sam’s run, he’s confident right now.”

Reno would take the 2-1 lead into halftime. Heading into tonight, Reno had only lost one match when leading at halftime in 10 tries. Reno’s first-half lead came in spite of eight Austin corner kicks.

In the second half, neither side would score despite Austin taking 20 shots. Bold FC finished with 25 total shots, but only the 41st minute goal was on target.

“We sat lower back on defense,” said Russell. “They’ve got a lot of good players, a lot of experienced players. I thought we could sit back, absorb some pressure and score a third on the counter.”

Austin finished with better marks in possession, corners, shots and duels won. 

Fresno fell 3-1 at Las Vegas, giving Reno the edge for the second spot in the USL. Both Fresno and Reno have 50 points on the year, but 1868 FC sports 15 wins to Fresno’s 14.

“At this point we’re just trying to win games. It’s nice to be tied for second place, but there are still five left. A lot of points still out there,” said Russell.

The boys in blue will be on the road again next week, traveling to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico United on Friday at 6:30 p.m. PT.

 

Reno 1868 FC Starting XI

GK (12) Matt Bersano, D (16) Brent Richards ©, D (11) Duke Lacroix, D (6) Thomas Janjigian, D (3) Benjamin Galindo Cruz, M (40) Raul Mendiola, M (84) Seth Casiple, M (10) Lindo Mfeka, M (23) Sam Gleadle, F (21) Corey Hertzog, F (9) Danny Musovski

 

Substitutes

GK (25) Damion Lewis, F (17) Aidan Apodaca, D (2) Emrah Klimenta, M (30) Ivan Valencia, M (45) Mattia Trianni, F (32) Luis Paradela, M (22) Siad Haji

 

Substitutions

59’ Luis Paradela àCorey Hertzog

72’ Siad Haji àRaul Mendiola

80’ Ivan Valencia àDanny Musovski

 

Goals

Corey Hertzog 20’

Danny Musovski 43’

 

Assists

Sam Gleadle 43’

 

Cards

Benjamin Galindo Cruz 52’

Lindo Mfeka 89’