When Reno 1868 FC defender Jimmy Ockford and midfielders Luis Felipe and Chris Wehan signed for the Earthquakes in December, it opened a lot of eyes around American soccer to the fact that this unique affiliation paid dividends so early in the process.
Reno, who set numerous USL records during their inaugural campaign, including single-season goals for (75) and largest margin of victory (9-0 vs. LA Galaxy II), has become everything the Quakes could have hoped for.
Led by head coach Ian Russell, a former Quakes player and assistant coach, Reno has effectively been used as an extension of the Quakes’ First Team roster.