Smith comes to Reno with a notable history in the soccer industry, beginning in sales with the Colorado Rapids, working in the USL for the Charleston Battery and leading the sales teams for D.C. United and FC Dallas in MLS. Most recently, he was President and GM of the Atlanta Silverbacks.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andy to our soccer family,” said Reno Aces and Reno 1868 FC President Eric Edelstein. “He brings years of successful professional soccer leadership to Northern Nevada, and we are excited for him to lead Reno's entry in the fastest growing professional sport in America.”

Greater Nevada Field will host up to 18 matches in 2017, with 16 coming as regular-season matches for Reno 1868 FC during its inaugural USL campaign. The USL announced on Monday that the regular season will expand to 32 matches beginning in 2017.

In the first ever USL match played at Greater Nevada Field on June 11, Sacramento Republic FC defeated Real Monarchs SLC 2-1 in front of a crowd of 5,182. Previously, Republic FC and Liverpool FC U21s played to a 2-2 draw in downtown Reno on May 25, with 6,287 fans in attendance.