Reno 1868 FC: USL affiliate of the Earthquakes

He had excellent energy but needs to put some muscle on which he should in the next couple of years. He was thrown around like a rag doll by the Sac players.

Mo Thiaw started and was a non-factor.

 

Sounds like he's ready for the first team!!!

 

We were screaming at them to take the open shot instead of trying to pass the ball into the goal. That was about the only open shot taken all night.

That is one sweet goal.

 

Cincinnati has Adi up also and are on top of it. He had 82% of 914 votes when I voted this afternoon.

Great effort by Eric and the recognition is well deserved.

 

It would depend on whether the players are on loan from the Quakes. From what I have heard, which may be wrong as I have not tried to confirm this with the Reno FO, the Quakes are responsible for the payroll, and I would think insurance, of any players that they have sent to Reno on loan. Reno is responsible for the players they have signed.

 

Wehan, Bersano and Ockford started last. Bersano got the shutout, Wehan a goal and Ockford was a in back as we expect in Reno.

Bersano was not hard pressed by the RGV Toros and had 2 saves. Wehan looked good in midfield. Ockford transformed the defense with his rock steady play.

Fuentes, Calvillo and Thiaw came in as subs. Mo was on fire for this game. He dribbled around and through 3 defenders for about 30 yards on one play and scored the goal. All three were active and confident in their play. Fuentes is still having problems being physical enough which should hopefully be rectified within a couple of years as he grows into an adult.

 

We have a good chance at 4th, we are in 5th, if we win our last 2 games. And it could be 3rd with this scenario if Sacramento only gets 1 point in their last 2 games.

 

Playoffs? There are playoffs?

 

We are, too. We will take a win at SLC and wins by St. Louis and Swope Park so we have home games, too.

I am heading to the game in SLC this weekend with a small group of Reno supporters.

 

I was at the game yesterday. It was such a blast to get the win. Bersano came up huge. He has 5 clean sheets in the 7 games he has been back here in Reno. 4 goals given up and the defense left him on an island for 2 of them.

 

They're at halftime, Orange County leads 1-0. Former Clasher Braeden Cloutier is the coach of Orange Country.

 

Orange County held on for the 1-0 win, so Reno's season is over.

 

Reno was on the front foot in the first half but could not get one in goal. The defense was caught out on a counter on the goal. Rough night for conversion doomed Reno.

It was a great season in the end. I am looking forward to next year for more.

 

It's a shame Quakes fans can't say the same. I do wonder what happens to the working relationship between the Quakes and Reno if Reno continues to find success on the field where San Jose doesn't. There would be two obvious questions:
1. Is the talent gap really that wide between USL and MLS?
2. If you adjust for talent level, what is Reno doing that San Jose isn't and could those things help San Jose be successful?

There's certainly no conclusion one could draw yet from the Reno players who've made their way to San Jose. Wehan didn't contribute much, but didn't get very much time and the minutes he did get were under an idiot of a coach. Ockford seems borderline MLS level, again, hard to tell because of horrendous coaching and unbelievably poor on-field organization.

And I guess the third and ultimate question is, can you predict player success in MLS at all based on their USL success? I would imagine there's not nearly enough data yet to draw any conclusions, but since the whole reason behind affiliation between the two leagues is to funnel players up to MLS (and beyond), I can't help but think there are people in both organization constantly trying to answer this question.

 

The working relationship will not be defined by either teams' record as Reno is part of the player development chain for San Jose.

The talent gap is pretty wide in my estimation but only a couple of pre-season friendlies are not necessarily a good gauge.

Coaching would be my guess for the success difference. Russell has the rapt attention of the team and does lose the locker room. He has his preferred playing style, teaches it and makes sure the players know their jobs within the system. He puts the players in a spot to succeed.

Wehan is a very hard worker, but may only be a marginal MLS talent. Ockford was/is an absolute stud in Reno, but may be a bit short on the needs for MLS. Luis Felipe Fernandes also played in Reno.

Success at one level of a playing pyramid is not predictive at a higher level. There are so many attributes that are different between the two levels that you have to see the player in the higher league more often that to see if they will make it.

Your last sentence is spot on.

 

I hope to see you supporters in Reno on February 9 for the pre-season friendly between Reno and San Jose.

 

I'm more inclined to visit during the summer.

 

Aww come on don't be a fair and warm weather fan.