Duke Ritenhouse | Reno Gazette-Journal

July 13 update:

The streak continues.

Reno 1868 beat L.A. Galaxy II, 4-1, on July 11 to extend its current USL unbeaten streak to 16 games.

Original story:

On April 14, Reno 1868 FC got clobbered by the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the 4-0 defeat adding a decisive exclamation point to a dismal start to the 2018 United Soccer League season.

Reno 1868 has not lost since.

With its 2-1 comeback win Sunday in Tacoma against Seattle Sounders 2, Reno 1868 extended its non-losing streak in league games to 15. The team has climbed from way below the soccer equivalent of the Mendoza Line all the way up to third place in the USL’s 17-team Western Conference.

More: Reno 1868 stuns Seattle to keep streak alive

Perhaps most startling of all: If Reno 1868 can avoid losing to L.A. Galaxy II and Saint Louis FC later this month, the team will have gone three calendar months (May, June, July) without losing a USL game. Those upcoming opponents are 13th and 11th, respectively, in the Western standings.

And as far as the team that’s in first place? That’s apparently not a big deal to Reno 1868, which thumped Western-leading Real Monarchs SLC, 3-0, last week in what was clearly the team’s best performance during its streak. Real Monarchs won the USL’s regular-season title last year, finishing with only five losses in the 32-game schedule.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

"They're the top team in the league; you have to be able to knock those teams off to feel like you're one of the elite teams," Reno head coach Ian Russell told the RGJ after the match.

The streak began April 21 with a 2-1 win at Portland. Here’s a by-the-numbers look at how Reno’s streak has come about:

0

Wins for Reno 1868 when its unbeaten run began. The team opened the USL season with three losses, one draw, and one postponement.

1

On-the-field loss during the streak. Reno 1868 was eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – a single-elimination, non-USL tournament – by rival Sacramento Republic on May 23.

3

Reno 1868’s current position in the USL’s Western Conference (9-3-7, 34 points).

3

Straight draws at one point. Reno 1868 finished level with Rio Grande Valley, Colorado Springs and Tulsa in a three-game span from May 2 to May 9.

Jason Bean/RGJ

4

Straight wins currently, including Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Seattle Sounders 2.

4

Points off the Western Conference lead for Reno 1868. Real Monarchs SLC leads with 38 points, despite a 3-0 loss to Reno last week.

8

Assists this season for Reno midfielder Antoine Hoppenot, tied for the USL lead.

11

Different opponents faced during the unbeaten run.

13

Goal differential during the streak. Reno has scored 24 goals and yielded 11.

15

Straight games without a loss. The team’s record in that span is 9-0-6.

24

Goals scored by Reno 1868 during its streak, an average of 1.6 per game.

87

Days since Reno 1868 lost a USL game.

View | 52 Photos

Photos: Reno 1868 FC takes on Fresno FC at Greater Nevada Field