RENO, Nev. – Reno 1868 FC midfielder Christiano François has been named to the USL’s Team of the Week for week one. François scored the game-winning goal in Reno’s season-opening win over Tacoma Defiance, and added an assist for good measure.

François is Reno’s first player on the team of the week in 2020. The Haitian speedster joined 1868 this offseason, and made an immediate impact in Reno’s come-from-behind win at Tacoma.

François and Reno will be back in action this weekend, as the boys in blue host OKC Energy FC in the regular-season home opener. Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. PT, and tickets are available here, or at the Greater Nevada Field box office.

 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 1

GK – Brandon Miller, Charlotte Independence: Miller recorded a career-high 10 saves – surpassing 300 regular-season saves for his career – to keep the Independence in the game in a 2-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City II.

D – Mauricio Cuevas, LA Galaxy II: The 17-year-old U.S. youth international had a stellar outing with one goal and one assist and three key passes in Los Dos’ 5-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC.

D – Kyle Nelson, Charleston Battery: Nelson won 12 of 19 duels, 5 of 6 tackles and made four interceptions while also recording two key passes in the Battery’s 1-0 road win against Atlanta United 2.

D – Callum Montgomery, San Antonio FC: Montgomery scored the game-winning goal, won 7 of 8 duels and 5 of 6 aerials and completed 45 of 60 passes in SAFC’s 1-0 win against Real Monarchs SLC.

M – Todd Wharton, Saint Louis FC: Wharton had an excellent debut for STLFC, recording two assists and creating four chances and completing 25 of 27 passes overall in his side’s 4-1 win against The Miami FC.

M – Cameron Dunbar, LA Galaxy II: The 17-year-old sparkled in his professional debut, scoring an outstanding individual finish before setting up another goal on one of two chances created against Rio Grande Valley FC.

M – Christiano Francois, Reno 1868 FC: Francois led Reno’s comeback victory against Tacoma Defiance, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal and then assisting on Gilbert Fuentes’ insurance tally in a 3-1 win.

M – Russell Cicerone, Saint Louis FC: Cicerone got his season off to a flying start with two goals and two key passes, while also putting six of his nine total shots on target in a 4-1 win against The Miami FC.

F – Tyler Pasher, Indy Eleven: Pasher picked up where he left off in 2019, leading Indy’s comeback against Memphis 901 FC with two goals – one of which was a superb solo effort – and one assists in the Eleven’s 4-2 win.

F – Rufat Dadashov, Phoenix Rising FC: The Azerbaijani international became the second Rising FC player in the last three seasons to record a hat trick in the club’s home opener and showed tremendous instinct around the area.

F – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Asante opened the new season in outstanding form, recording two excellent assists for Dadashov before topping Rising FC’s performance off with a fine finish of his own.

Bench: Logan Ketterer (ELP), Carl Haworth (IND), Jermaine Taylor (ATX), Juan Barahona (SAC), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Junior Burgos (LV), Cameron Lancaster (LOU)