Need to know

-Reno’s 2019 season was the club’s best ever, setting records in wins (18) and points (60).

-San Diego Loyal SC is new to the USL in 2020, joining as an expansion club.

-Head coaches Ian Russell and Landon Donovan won two MLS Cups together with the San Jose Earthquakes.

 

Preview

Saturday, February 29 – v San Diego Loyal SC

12:00 p.m. PT kickoff @ Greater Nevada Field

Tickets: Reno1868fc.com, or the Greater Nevada Field box office

Stream: Reno1868fc.com

 

Reno 1868 FC kicks off the 2020 season with the only open-to-the-public friendly of the preseason as Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC comes to Greater Nevada Field. Reno will host the expansion side in a matchup of former teammates, as 1868 FC head coach Ian Russell won two MLS Cups with Donovan as members of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003.

“We’re feeling good. All of preseason has been guys feeling each other out and getting used to playing with each other,” said defender Brent Richards. “We’ve gotten a lot better defensively and we’re starting to work on getting better offensively. We’re excited to see how this next game goes and then I think we’ll be ready for the start of the season.”

Reno is coming off of the best season in club history, setting club records in wins (18), points (60) and best western conference finish (2nd). Richards, along with 2019 leading goal scorer Corey Hertzog figure to lead the club to another strong season in 2020.

San Diego enters as newcomers to the USL, but have a strong roster for the inaugural campaign that features two former Reno players. Raul Mendiola, who led Reno in assists last season with eight, will be an impact player in the midfield. Defender Emrah Klimenta adds plenty of experience to San Diego’s back line.

Tickets for the game are still available here, or at the Greater Nevada Field box office. The box office will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, and will open at 10:00 a.m. on gameday. The game will be streamed online at reno1868fc.com, and kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. PT.

 

Scouting report – San Diego Loyal SC

-San Diego’s 2020 roster will feature two former Reno players, Raul Mendiola and Emrah Klimenta

-San Diego head coach Landon Donovan leads the USMNT in all-time goals (57) and assists (58) while appearing in three FIFA World Cups.

-San Diego will return to Reno for a regular-season game on Sept. 29.

 

Inside 1868 FC

-Reno returns eight members of last year’s incredibly successful squad, including leading goalscorer Corey Hertzog, captain Brent Richards and former San Jose Earthquake Kevin Partida.

-Last season, Reno’s 51st USL regular-season win tied a league record for the most wins through any club’s first three seasons. The record was tied with FC Cincinnati, who moved to MLS after year three.

-Reno’s eight returners scored 33 goals last season, accounting for 46% of Reno’s 71 goals in 2019.