Reno surrenders equalizer in 88th minute, sees three-match winning streak dissipate but remains one of four USL teams unbeaten in last five
A 2-0 halftime lead and a one-goal advantage with two minutes in regulation wasn’t enough to give Reno 1868 FC its fourth straight victory on Saturday night at Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs pushed the equalizer through in the 88th minute to salvage a 3-3 draw. It was the second time already this season the Switchbacks stole a victory from Reno in the waning moments. At Greater Nevada Field on April 22, Colorado Springs netted the equalizer in stoppage time to deny Reno its first win in franchise history.
Reno 1868 FC (3-3-3) dropped one spot to 10th place in the Western Conference and is one of four teams in the 30-team USL without a defeat in its last five league matches. The other three are Eastern-Conference-leading Charleston, Western-Conference-leading San Antonio and Salt Lake, which is five points back of San Antonio.
Colorado Springs (3-4-5) moved to fourth place, just two points ahead of Reno despite playing three more matches.
Without second-leading scorer Junior Burgos, who was called to play for the El Salvador national team, it was Antoine Hoppenot who stepped up. Hoppenot entered with one goal to his name and scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute after Colorado Springs erased a 2-0 halftime deficit.
Defender Jordan Burt damped Hoppenot’s moment, knotting it back up three minutes later with his second goal of the night
Hoppenot put Reno up 1-0 in the 37th minute and five minutes later, USL leading scorer Dane Kelly celebrated his eighth goal in four matches to grow the lead to 2-0 before the half.
Both squads finished with seven shots on goal.
Reno remains on the road Wednesday to play Sacramento Republic FC in a U.S. Open Cup match at Papa Murphy’s Park. The two teams played to a 3-3 draw in a friendly at Greater Nevada Field on March 11.
With a win, Reno would host Real Salt Lake of the MLS on June 14.
Rio Grande Valley comes to Greater Nevada Field next Wednesday.
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