CARSON, Calif. – The longest active unbeaten streak in the USL continued its tour across the USL’s Western Conference Wednesday night as Reno 1868 FC took home another three points following a 4-1 drubbing of LA Galaxy II.
The win marked Reno’s fifth-straight win and 16th-straight match without a loss (club record). It also moved Reno into second place in the Western Conference, one point off the lead.
The scoring came early and often as forward Antoine Hoppenot opened things up with a volley off a Paul Marie cross in the seventh minute. The goal was Hoppenot’s first goal this season to go along with his team-high eight assists.
In typical Reno fashion, the club created chance after chance hitting LA with five shots on target in the first half converting another one in the 33rd minute.
The 2017 USL Rookie of the Year and Assist Champion Chris Wehan found Jerry van Ewijk at the top of the box as van Ewijk made it 2-0 going into halftime.
Right out of the gate in the second half, Reno put this match away off a Wehan free kick in the 47th minute, the club’s second goal off a set-piece this year.
Despite allowing a goal in the 57th minute, Reno was able to stay hot as van Ewijk got his brace (two goals) in the 80th minute following a beautiful assist by Brian Brown.
With the win, Reno now enters a short USL break in prime position for a playoff spot. The club will host Liga MX power Morelia Monarcas Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at Greater Nevada Field in a friendly before getting a week off ahead of a July 28 showdown against Saint Louis FC.
Tickets for that match can be purchased at Reno1868FC.com/tickets.
RENO 1868 FC STARTING XI
GK (18) JT Marcinkowski, D (11) Duke Lacroix, D (5) Zach Carroll, D (6) Thomas Janjigian, D (21) Paul Marie, M (96) Luis Felipe, M (26) Erick Calvillo, M (14) Chris Wehan, M (22) Jerry van Ewijk, F (29) Antoine Hoppenot, F (12) Danny Musovski
SUBS: GK (35) Kyle Ihn, D (4) Jordan Murrell, M (17) Sam Gleadle, M (84) Seth Casiple, F (99) Brian Brown F (28) Mo Thiaw
Reno 1868 FC Substitutions: 60’ Danny Musovski Off….Brian Brown On, 67’ Chris Wehan Off…Seth Casiple On, 83’ Jerry van Ewijk Off…Mo Thiaw On
Goals: 7’ Antoine Hoppenot - Right Foot - Centre of the Box - Bottom Left Hand Corner - Assist: Paul Marie, 33’ Jerry van Ewijk - Right Foot - Outside the Box - Bottom Right Hand Corner - Assist: Christopher Wehan, 47’ Christopher Wehan - Right Foot - Outside the Box - Bottom Left Hand Corner, 80’ Jerry van Ewijk - Right Foot - Centre of the Box - Bottom Right Hand Corner - Assist: Brian Brown
LA Galaxy II Starting XI
GK (41) Justin Vom Steeg, D (29) Sheanon Williams, D (72) Jean Engola, D (21) Hugo Arellano, D (46) John Requejo, M (67) Jonathan Hernandez, M (18) Julian Büscher, M (88) João Pedro, M (49) Adrian Vera; F (15) Ariel Lassiter, F (51) Ethan Zubak
SUBS: Miguel Aguilar, Kobe Hernandez, Wade Hamilton, Justin Dhillon, Nate Shultz
LA Galaxy II Substitutions: 46’ Ariel Lassiter Off… Justin Dhillon On, 61’ Sheanon Williams Off….. Nate Shultz On, 75’ John Requejo Off… Miguel Aguilar On
Goals: 57’ Justin Dhillon - Left Foot - Centre of the Box - Bottom Right Hand Corner - Assist: Adrián Vera
