Reno 1868 FC midfielder Chris Wehan was named USL Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, beating out Louisville City FC’s Richard Ballard and Bethlehem Steel FC’s Santi Moar.
Wehan led USL with 12 assists (tying a USL record), added eight goals and created 66 chances (third in the USL) throughout the regular season.
“I began the year sort of feeling sorry for myself after not being drafted,” Wehan said through the team’s press release. “But I was given a chance to be part of an incredible first season in Reno and become a better player by learning from Coach Russell and some of the veteran players.”
“We knew about Chris leading up to the draft and what a great player he was at New Mexico,” head coach Ian Russell said of the 24-year-old Wehan. “The people we spoke to all said that Chris’ work ethic is the quality that stuck out most.
“That was evident from the first time he stepped on our pitch. We are so proud of all he accomplished during his first season and how he helped us become a better team both in the locker room and on the pitch.”
In addition to Rookie of the Year, Wehan was also named to the USL’s All-League First Team. He was named the league’s assist champion in October.
Reno 1868 FC ended the season with a 17-7-8 record, finishing third in the USL’s Western Conference and setting a new USL record for most goals in a single season (75).
Chris Wehan’s 2017 Stats
- 30 games played (29 starts)
- 2,557 minutes played
- 8 goals
- 12 assists
- 78 percent pass success rate
- 15 clearances
- 25 interceptions
