RENO – Just days after Reno 1868 FC appointed Andy Smith as the club’s first general manager, the team announced that open tryouts will be held on September 18, 2016, at Moana Springs Recreational Complex, the official site of 1868 FC practices for 2017 and beyond.

“We want to field a competitive club in our inaugural season, and we are certainly welcoming local talent with bigger soccer aspirations,” said Smith. “The amount of tryout requests we’ve received since day one has been significant, and it would be great to have local talent represent this club.”

Smith, who leads day-to-day soccer operations and manages Reno 1868’s relationship with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS), also handles soccer-related business with the United Soccer League (USL).

Smith, along with Earthquakes technical director Chris Leitch, will be in attendance at the open tryouts.

“Anytime you hold an open tryout, it’s always a great chance to look at players that have either been overlooked or are up-and-coming and looking for their shot at becoming a professional,” Leitch said. “I look forward to seeing what talent the great city of Reno and the surrounding area have to offer. It should be a great event.”

For $150, prospective players can partake in the tryouts, which includes two shirts, lunch and two tickets to the 2017 Reno 1868 FC home opener. To participate in the tryout, players must complete the required registration form. 

Greater Nevada Field will host up to 18 matches in 2017, with 16 coming as regular-season matches for Reno 1868 FC during their inaugural USL campaign. The USL announced on Monday that the regular season will expand to 32 matches beginning in 2017.

Since the franchise was announced in September 2015, Reno 1868 FC has unveiled its club name, colors, crest and home jersey kit. The away kit and coaching staff will be announced at a later date.

Date: Sunday, September 18, 2016
Location: Moana Springs Recreational Complex
Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cost: $150

Tryout Includes: Two (2) shirts, lunch and two (2) tickets to the 2017 Reno 1868 FC home opener