Atlas FC handles Reno 5-0 in front of 6,647 at Greater Nevada Field
Reno was no match for tradition-rich Atlas FC from Liga MX on Saturday night, allowing four first-half goals in a 5-0 international friendly loss at Greater Nevada Field.
A crowd of 6,647 fans witnessed Reno take on stiff competition in its first international friendly at Greater Nevada Field. The attendance boosted the weekly attendance (three matches) to more than 18,000 fans in total.
Despite the five goals allowed, Reno 1868 FC still had several chances created throughout the night against one of the top clubs from Mexico.
“I thought we had some great chances out there against top competition,” said Reno midfielder Chris Wehan, one of the top chance creators in the USL.
Forward Matias Alustiza, one of the top goal scorers in Liga MX, netted two of his club’s four first-half goals.
Because Saturday was considered an international friendly, both teams were allowed to make unlimited substitutions. Reno took advantage of that as half a dozen subs entered the match in the second half, including goalkeeper Jose Elizondo, a Guadalajara, Mexico native.
In the second half, Reno’s defense clamped down only allowing one goal (Fidel Martinez, 87th minute) as time ticked down.
“You know I thought we played well,” Reno forward Dane Kelly said after the match. “We had a few mistakes but I was happy to see guys like (Elizondo) and others get in there against a top team like Atlas.”
Reno 1868 FC (7-4-4) will get some much-needed time off before heading to Vancouver, Canada to take on Whitecaps II (4-8-4) on Saturday. Reno will return home next Saturday when it hosts last-place Portland Timbers 2 (2-13-2) at Greater Nevada Field.
The local side is tied with Sacramento for fourth place, four points back of third-place Swope Park, which won its fourth straight on Saturday.
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