Need to know

• Reno plays their second out-of-group game of the season, against San Diego Loyal SC, while in possession of first place in Group A with 15 points. The point total is tied with Sacramento Republic FC, but Reno’s +8 goal differential gives them the tiebreaker.
• Reno faces San Diego in the regular season for the first time ever, with 2020 being San Diego’s inaugural season in the USL. In a February preseason friendly, San Diego topped Reno 4-2.
• Reno head coach Ian Russell played with San Diego head coach Landon Donovan in San Jose, where the two won a pair of MLS Cups. The two would play together again in Los Angeles before Russell retired. Donovan is the most decorated player in USMNT history, appearing in 157 games and earning 57 goals and 58 assists.

Preview

Saturday, August 22 – @ San Diego Loyal SC

7:00 p.m. PT kickoff @ Torero Stadium

Broadcast: ESPN+ (national), Nevada Sports Net (local)

Radio: ESPN Radio 94.5

 

Fresh off an explosive 5-2 win against Portland Timbers 2, Reno 1868 FC heads to San Diego to take on Landon Donovan’s Loyal SC. Reno enters in first place in Group A, and looks to avenge a 4-2 loss to San Diego in February’s preseason friendly.

“Really happy that we played that game, we got a good look at them and their system of play,” said head coach Ian Russell. “Overall it’s a quality team that we need to play well to get a result against.”

Almost everything went right for Reno the last time out, scoring five goals against Portland. The attack resulted in season highs in shots, shots on goal, assists and goals. The four first-half goals were a season high as well.

San Diego has yet to win a game in August, or even score a goal. Loyal SC drew Sacramento 0-0 on August 1, and then would drop back-to-back games 2-0 to Orange County and Phoenix. On the year San Diego has only scored six goals, tied for eighth-least in the league.

The two head coaches in Saturday’s game, Russell for Reno and Landon Donovan for San Diego, have a long history together as well. Russell and Donovan won a pair of MLS Cups as players for the San Jose Earthquakes.

“It’s always interesting, I played with Landon for a long time in San Jose. I think he’s still finding himself out as a coach, there’s a lot to learn that first year. I’m sure he’s enjoying it,” said Russell. “It’s always good to compete against friends … he’s a good guy and I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Kickoff from Torero Stadium sis set for 7:00 p.m. PT, with the game broadcast on NSN and ESPN Radio locally, as well as ESPN+ nationally.

Scouting report – San Diego Loyal SC

• San Diego sits third in Group B with 11 points and a -2 goal differential.
• Loyal SC’s six goals scored on the year are in the bottom 10 in the USL.
• San Diego’s leading goal scorer is Francis Atuahene with two, the only Loyal player to score more than a single goal on the season.
• Former Reno defender Emrah Klimenta has appeared in seven games for San Diego, including four starts and racking up 420 minutes played.

Inside 1868 FC

• Reno plays their second out-of-group game of the season, against San Diego Loyal SC, while in possession of first place in Group A with 15 points. The point total is tied with Sacramento Republic FC, but Reno’s +8 goal differential gives them the tiebreaker.
• Defender Brent Richards’ two assists against Portland moved him into a tie for the second-most career assists in Reno history with 15. Leading the category is Antoine Hoppenot with 19.
• Midfielder Christiano François has been on a tear to open up the season, leading the team in assists with four and tied for the team lead in goals with three. The four assists are tied for fourth in the USL. The Haitian midfielder was signed ahead of the 2020 campaign, and has immediately made himself known, earning player of the week honors in week six and team of the week honors in weeks one and six.
• Reno is averaging just one goal allowed per game, behind a strong defense and sharp goalkeeping. Keepers Eric De La Cerda and Ben Beaury are each in the top 20 in the USL in saves, with Reno being the only club to have two keepers that high in the rankings. Key to the defense has been the play of centerback Thomas Janjigian, who has started all seven games and leads the club in clearances (24) and interceptions (14).