Three keys to a championship run:

1. Chris Wehan Provides: Given Reno set a new USL single-season record for goals with 75, it should come as no surprise that the league's Assists Champion came from the club, with rookie Chris Wehan providing assists on 12 goals, a crucial part of Reno's impressive attack. Wehan has created 66 total chances, putting him third in the USL, but the manner in which Wehan made his delivery gave him a strong success rate as 18 percent of his created chances resulted in goals. It’s easy to focus on the goal-scorers like Dane Kelly and Antoine Hoppenot, but leaving Wehan open, or allowing him the chance to deliver in the final third from set pieces, will open up opportunities for Reno over and over again. Add in his eight goals and Wehan is the kind of player that could have a huge impact on a USL Cup run.

2. Storm The Castle: Reno's single-season USL record of 75 goals was impressive enough, but what might be more impressive was the variety of means by which 1868 FC found the path to goal over the course of the regular season. All-but-seven of the team's goals came from inside the penalty area, but there’s a diversity of scoring within those opportunities with25 coming via left-footed chances, 36 from right-footed chances, and 12 headed tallies. Although Dane Kelly found the net 18 times to claim the USL Golden Boot, 1868 FC had 12 different players score multiple goals in the regular season. While Kelly will have to be watched closely when on the field, there's plenty for opposing defenses to have to deal with otherwise.

3. Location doesn’t matter: With nine wins at Greater Nevada Field, Reno's home record has been strong and offensively lethal as its outstanding home crowd has spurred it on to victory. But that doesn’t mean the Reno can't get it done away from home either. 1868 FC recorded just one fewer win on the road in the regular season, putting it second only to Western Conference rival San Antonio FC in the league. Given Reno is only guaranteed one home match in the USL Cup Playoffs, having a competitive road record is a good sign for 1868 FC fans looking to celebrate the club's inaugural season with some silverware.

QUOTABLE:

"We just have a lot of players that can score goals on this team. Whether it be our defenders, strikers or midfielders. So we just hope to continue scoring like this while also trying to avoid conceding goals." Reno 1868 FC Coach Ian Russell to the Reno Gazette-Journal