Reno 1868 FC Heads to North to Take on Tacoma Defiance in Season Opener
March 4, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Reno 1868 FC News Release
Reno 1868 FC opens the much-anticipated 2020 regular season on Friday at Tacoma Defiance. The boys in blue have had plenty of success against Tacoma over the last three seasons, and will look to start the season with a win for the first time in club history.
"I think we're pretty fit and we know that we can score goals. We just need to lock it up a little more in the back, starting with the forwards all the way back to the centerbacks," said forward Corey Hertzog. "We're a team that's going to score goals so we just need to keep them out of the net and we'll win a lot of games."
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.
1868 FC has played Tacoma Defiance six times, including twice as Seattle Sounders 2, and never lost. Reno owns a 3-0-3 record against the club, including last September's 5-0 drubbing in Reno. Defender Brent Richards tied a USL Championship record with three assists in that game. Despite the success, Reno has never won at Tacoma/Seattle, drawing both games. The last time Reno visited Tacoma, the squad tied a club record with 28 shots in a draw.
The game kicks off from Cheney Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT, and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Scouting report - Tacoma Defiance
* Reno owns a 3-0-3 all-time record against Tacoma, including 2-0-2 as Seattle Sounders 2. Reno has gone 0-0-2 all-time against Seattle/Tacoma on the road. * Last season, Reno tied a club record with 28 shots at Tacoma. In Reno, Los Azules drubbed Tacoma 5-0 including a league-record three assists from Brent Richards. * Tacoma went 7-7-3 last season at home, finishing 8-19-7 and coming in 17th place in the USL's Western Conference.
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.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 4, 2020
- Energy FC Reveals Jersey Paying Tribute to Victims of OKC Bombing - OKC Energy FC
- STLFC Signs Three Players to Academy Contracts for 2020 Season - Saint Louis FC
- Reno 1868 FC Heads to North to Take on Tacoma Defiance in Season Opener - Reno 1868 FC
- San Antonio FC Signs Forward Tabort Etaka Preston - San Antonio FC
- Loudoun United FC Acquire Defender EruMuse Momoh - Loudoun United FC
- Tim Howard to Play for Memphis 901 FC - Memphis 901 FC
- Loudoun United FC Re-Sign Defender Shane Wiedt - Loudoun United FC
- USL Championship Discipline Report - Week 1 - USL
- Williams Excited to Return Home, Ready for Legion FC Season Opener - Birmingham Legion FC
- FC Tulsa Unveils Single Match Tickets for All 17 Home Matches in 2020 - FC Tulsa
- Hounds Sign Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
