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Reno's USL Expansion Team To Kick Off In 2017

Courtesy: United Soccer League
Courtesy: United Soccer League

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (right) welcomes the owners of the new Reno United Soccer League franchise plus the league's commissioner to Nevada. The yet to be named team, will start play in 2017 at Aces Ballpark in downtown Reno.

It’s official - professional soccer is arriving in Reno.

The Biggest Little City in the World will be home to a United Soccer League‘s 28th franchise in 2017.

Reno’s soccer teamwill be owned by Herb Simon, managing partner of the Pacific Coast League’s Reno Aces, owner of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and co-founder of Simon Property Group.

“I want to say how honored we are to be awarded a professional soccer franchise here in the USL – the fastest growing sport and the fastest growing league in America,” said Reno Aces President Eric Edelstein, who will serve in that same capacity for the USL club.

Edelstein said the organization appreciated the “partnership we have now formed with the United Soccer League, and growing soccer not just in Reno, not just northern Nevada, but across the country.”

Edelstein said the amenities and family-focused culture of Aces games will carry over into the USL club.

“Affordable family-friendly entertainment – it’s what we’ve done here, it’s how we’ve succeeded in baseball and it’s how we look to continue the future in soccer,” he said.

Aces Ballpark is a $50 million venue that opened in April 2009. The facility has 6,500 seats, 22 luxury suites, and general admission areas that bring the total capacity to more than 9,000.

Edelstein said the baseball infield would be covered with grass for each home soccer game. He said other improvements would be made to Aces Ballpark to make it more soccer friendly.

 

Eric Edelstein, president Reno Aces and a new USL franchise.

 

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