HERRIMAN, Utah – For the first time in club history, Reno 1868 FC is headed to the next round of the USL Cup Playoffs following its first playoff win Saturday afternoon over Real Monarchs SLC.

Reno’s dramatic 1-0 via a Brian Brown header in the second minute of stoppage time helped book a ticket to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Reno will face the winner of (8) Saint Louis FC and (1) Orange County SC next Saturday. Should Saint Louis win, Reno will host the semifinal at Greater Nevada Field.

Brown’s 17th goal (includes regular season) in 2018 also helped Reno record its first win in Salt Lake City in club history.

“This is probably extra special for me,” an emotional Brian Brown said after the match. “This is the first playoff win for the club. But it’s also the first playoff win of my career in several tries.

“I’m so happy for the guys in the locker room who fought hard until the very end.”

Brown’s first headed goal of the season was off a beautiful assist by Duke Lacroix in the final minutes of a dramatic match filled with chances. The Monarchs kept Reno goalkeeper Matt Bersano busy all night and Bersano answered the call.

Bersano recorded six saves and stopped numerous attacks inside the box. Reno finished the match having controlled possession for half the match.

Stay up to date on Reno’s playoff journey and find information at Reno1868FC.com.

Reno 1868 FC Starting XI       

GK (32) Matt Bersano, D (11) Duke Lacroix, D (23) Brenton Griffiths, D (5) Zach Carroll (C), D (16) Brent Richards, M (22) Jerry van Ewijk, M (8) Guy Abend, M (14) Chris Wehan, M (84) Seth Casiple, F (29) Antoine Hoppenot, F (99) Brian Brown

Reno 1868 FC Subs

GK (35) Kyle Ihn, F (28) Mo Thiaw, D (6) Thomas Janjigian, M (9) Mark Gonzalez, D (4) Jordan Murrell, M (17) Sam Gleadle

Reno 1868 FC Substitutions: 64’ Mark Gonzalez on…Chris Wehan off, 90’ (+4) Jordan Murrell on…Jerry van Ewijk off

Reno Goals: 90’ (+2) Brian Brown - Header - Centre of the Box - Bottom Right Hand Corner - Assist: Duke Lacroix

Real Monarchs SLC Starting XI

GK (24) Connor Sparrow, D (60) Joseph Okumu, D (40) James Moberg, D (52) Kalen Ryden, D (45) Andrew Brody, M (43) Justin Portillo, (M) 46 Mastanabal Kacher, M (41) Charlie Adams M (44) Maikel Chang, F (49) Chandler Hoffmann, 55 (F) Sebastain Velasquez

Real Monarchs SLC Subs

GK (50) Jake Leeker, D (56) Konrad Plewa, F (54) Juan Ignacio Mare, D (57) Jack Blake, D (21) Taylor Peay

Real Monarchs SLC Substitutions: 8’ Taylor Peay on…Joseph Okumu off, 46’ Konrad Plewa on…James Moberg off, 94’ Juan Ignacio Mare on…Charlie Adams off