• Reno 1868 FC (15W, 10D, 7L) currently sit in 5^th position on 55 points, 3 places and 7 points behind Rising in 2^nd.
• They are one of 6 USL Western Conference clubs currently guaranteed a playoff game. Swope, Saint Louis, and San Antonio are still competing for the remaining 2 places.
• Rising won this season’s first encounter with Reno back in March courtesy of a 92^nd minute Solo Asante penalty at Greater Nevada Field.

• Reno has an impressive away record, winning 7 of their 16 games on the road.
• Their victories have come at Timbers 2 (twice), Sacramento Republic, OKC Energy, San Antonio, Sounders 2, and Los Dos.
• They also visit the Valley tonight in a rich vein of form, conceding in only one of their last 5 games (a 6-goal tied thriller at home to LV Lights).
• All 8 goals in their last 3 games have been scored from inside the penalty area.

• Reno’s total of 10 shutouts to date positions the club joint 15^th for clean sheets in USL. Rising by comparison is joint 2^nd with 15 shutouts.
• Goalkeeping duties this season have been shared by James Marcinkowski (on loan from San Jose Earthquakes) and Matt Bersano. They have recorded 5 clean sheets apiece, but Marcinkowki has played 3 times as many games.
• Reno appear somewhat more vulnerable conceding in the second half than the first throughout the season.  However, that statistic is distorted by their home form.  Away from home, Reno have conceded 12 first half goals compared to 5 in the second half.

• At the other end of the pitch, Reno’s main goal threat is Jamaican international Brian Brown. A former Philadelphia Union, Indy Eleven, and Charlotte Independence forward, Brown is averaging a goal every other game this season.  His last goal was scored 2 games ago in a 2-0 home victory over Tulsa, so be prepared to watch him add to his tally tonight.  15 of Brown’s 16 goals have been scored from inside the penalty box; 10 of them have been scored with his left foot.
• Dutch winger Jerry van Ewijk is Reno’s second top scorer this season with 6 goals. He joined from Orange County in the close season, after scoring 8 goals in 29 games for the Irvine-based club.  3 of van Ewijk’s goals this season have been scored from outside the penalty area, including one direct free kick.

• The main source of creativity in the side is midfielder Antoine Hoppenot. He’s contributed 13 assists this season, as well as 3 goals. A 3^rd round 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft pick, the Paris-born 27-year-old’s former clubs include Philadelphia Union, PDL side Harrisburg City Islanders (on loan), and FC Cincinnati.  Hoppenot moved to Greater Nevada Field last season.
• Reno appear to be far more dangerous in front of goal in the second half. 33 of their 53 goals this season have been scored after the half-time break.

• Brown and Hoppenot have appeared in the most games this season (30 out of a maximum 32). However, defenders Brent Richards (2,336 minutes) and Zach Carroll (2,3276 minutes) have clocked up the most game time.
• San Jose Earthquakes enjoy technical control over Reno 1868, and this is reflected in player movements to Greater Nevada Field. One such player to look out for is 16-year-old midfielder Gilbert Fuentes.  He’s clocked up 67 minutes game time in 4 appearances for Reno this season, but is already on Borussia Dortmund’s radar, and has been capped by the U.S. at U17 level.
• There are 3 players with links to Arizona on the Reno roster. Backup goalkeeper Russell Klabough hails from Sierra Vista.  Englishman Sam Gleadle attended Campo Verde High School in Gilbert.  Midfielder Kevin Partida featured for FC Tucson last year.
• Reno has committed the lowest number of fouls in USL this season (336) and collected the lowest number of yellow cards (35). Their yellow card tally is 16 less than Rising’s.
• Reno has also collected 5 red cards, including 4 for second yellow card offenses. The only player to receive a straight red this season is defender Brenton Griffiths, who was sent off in the 88^th minute for violent conduct in the 4-0 loss at home to the Switchbacks back in April.
• Interestingly, 2 of Reno’s red cards were picked up in their games against Saint Louis this season. Suffice to say, they’ll hope to avoid the Missouri club in the playoffs.

From the Ashes Prediction: Rising to be held to a 0-0 draw, setting up a nervy last week to the regular season.