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Edelstein Keeping Reno on a Roll

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/01/17, 11:01AM EDT

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Has presided over success of both 1868 FC and Aces this year


Photo courtesy David Calvert / Reno 1868 FC

RENO, Nev. – As if having the Reno Aces sitting on top of the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Northern Division didn’t put enough on Eric Edelstein’s plate as the postseason nears, the overwhelming success of Reno 1868 FC in its inaugural season in the USL has only added to the playoff fever that can be found around Greater Nevada Field these days.

As one of the most accomplished front office leaders outside the major leagues, though, Edelstein is taking everything in stride as both 1868 FC and the Aces take aim at postseason success.

“It’s similar to the players on the field, you just try to take it day by day,” said Edelstein recently. “It’s this constant balance between what’s in front of you and making sure what’s a little bit out in front of you is being considered for two sports. It’s been hectic, but it’s been fun. It’s certainly been rewarding. I sleep hard at night.”

Since the establishment of the club almost two years ago, Edelstein and his team have been laying the groundwork for what has become a remarkable success story on and off the field in the USL this season. 1868 FC is one of nine USL clubs this season to average more than 5,000 fans this season, with a wide variety of local fans turning out every home game to cheer the side on.

The team itself has produced as well. Sitting in third place in the USL’s Western Conference after Saturday night’s victory against the Swope Park Rangers, the hybrid partnership between 1868 FC and the San Jose Earthquakes has paid off handsomely, with the relationship between the two organizations providing a potential model for others in the future.

“It’s been great,” said Edelstein. “We set expectations at the front end, what we expect from each other, and I believe we’ve lived up to those expectations. I know the Quakes have lived up to their end, we strive daily to live up to our end, and when there’s wrinkles we get on the phone and I feel like we’ve been able to work through wrinkles as they come.

“Like any good relationship, both sides have to give in a little bit on things that aren’t perfect or ideal, but again, there’s a greater, broader vision, not just for this club and not just for the Quakes but for player development in general in charting a course that can be replicated.”


Photo courtesy David Calvert / Reno 1868 FC

The team itself has been flying of late, with four consecutive victories making it the hottest team in the league. Edelstein lays plenty of credit for that at the feet of experienced General Manager Andy Smith and first-time Head Coach Ian Russell, both of whom have helped players soar beyond previous performances.

Epitomized by the club’s first signing of Dane Kelly – who has already set a single-season high with 16 goals, which resulted in his first call-up to Jamaica’s National Team this week – Reno is on course to set a single-season record for goals in a season. The club needs eight goals in its final eight games to surpass the New York Red Bulls II’s total of 61 a year ago. That level of performance has been up there with the best in the league, a standard that Edelstein and his staff have marveled at as other talented squads have visited Reno over this season.

“I think all of us continue to marvel at the level of talent that’s in this league, and it improves literally week, over week, over week,” said Edelstein. “The quality of talent is incredible, and we have to keep pace with it. If you’d ever thought we’d be playing in a league that has the likes of Didier Drogba, let alone play the way that San Antonio and [Real Monarchs] and Swope Park have played. To compete and be in that same sandbox and be able to compete with that, it’s been really special.”


Photo courtesy David Calvert / Reno 1868 FC

The arrival of Las Vegas Lights FC to the league next season also promises much for Reno, with a second team in Nevada setting up another potential rivalry between the state’s two major cities. Like the battles between the University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas on the college level, Edelstein can’t wait to lock horns with the 2018 newcomer.

“The Wolfpack and Rebels have had a longstanding rivalry, this just continues it,” said Edelstein. “We’ve got a Governor on board with creating a cup between the two of us, it’s terrific. I wish Brett [Lashbrook] the best of luck down there, and like I say about all of our opponents, I wish them the best of luck off the field, and I hope we kick their tail on it.”

With the Aces sitting three-and-a-half games ahead of its competition at the top of the PCL standings, and 1868 FC closing in on at least one home contest in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs, Edelstein is certainly ready for what the upcoming months will bring to Greater Nevada Field.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say we have our eyes on that top four [for 1868 FC],” he said. “We want to host, we want to host a playoff match here, and I think that’s where all of our sights are set on the field. Off the field, it’s continuing to grow the fanbase and bring people out to games who both know what soccer is but also to expose people to what soccer is now, get them to experience what the atmosphere is like. That’s the job that never ends, growing the game.”

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