Big new developments coming to Reno community soccer 

With the dissolution of Reno 1868 FC in 2020, the only professional soccer team that existed in Reno, the chances felt diminished for young players from the area who want to become professionals.

The hopes to increase these opportunities have finally been answered. According to the United Soccer League, Reno will be home to a professional team in 2027, with a new 6,000 seat stadium. The location is expected to be on Kietzke Lane at the former Jones West Ford site.

In addition to the new professional team, there will be new fields built for young players. According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the casino and entertainment company, Jacobs Entertainment have already begun the construction of 12 field in downtown Reno as part of the Neon Line district. 

The same outlet reported the construction, by the Truckee River Authority, for 11 additional fields near the river south of Mills Street. The fields will serve a dual purpose: as fields, so that soccer and lacrosse teams have access to play; as well as serving as basins for water retention in cases of flooding, as reported by KTVN in October.  

These developments provide an improvement to the soccer community in Reno, because it offers more opportunities for young players to play as well as improving the economic impact for the city; something that might be necessary after the loss of Reno 1868.

KTVN Channel 2 interviewed Richard Jacobs, assistant director of special events, to learn his perspective on the project.

“We’re going to see [reservations for] a lot of hotel rooms,” he said. “We’re excited for that, and it’ll also give the local families of Reno a good outlet, a good place to lay back and play some soccer.”

Despite the positive impact that the team can have on the city, there are some concerns regarding the conditions of the fields and the difficulties of the construction.

According to This is Reno, the disadvantages of the artificial field, which is the type of field that Jacobs is going to build, are not worth it. The newspaper spoke with Naomi Deurr, the council member for Electoral District 2, who expressed her thoughts. 

“What they have identified with the artificial fields is that it is extremely hot and will concentrate more heat. It also contains microplastics and PFAS, which is released into the air and water when decomposed. There is also a risk [to the players] which have been mentioned and documented,” the council member said.

These aren’t the only problems. According to Channel 2, Jacobs Entertainment have only obtained the land for three of the fields, meaning the locations for the other fields is still unknown.

Although not everything is clear regarding the development, the growth of the soccer and lacrosse communities looks promising, giving young players the opportunities to chase their dreams. 

Prior to these developments, Noticiero Móvil interviewed Jesús Partida who played midfielder for Central Valley FC and UPSL (United Premier Soccer League) and is one of the city’s best known soccer player. 

• Big new developments coming to Reno community soccer 
• Changing Cat Culture in the Latino Community One Kitty at a Time
• Q&A: What Advice Is An Immigration Attorney Giving Nowadays?
• Reno police search for suspect with criminal charges
• 23 Things You Should Have in Your Emergency Go Bag

“There’s been a lot of talent generated in Reno, but the results [aren’t usually] seen at the local level because it is a smaller city. I believe there is a lot of potential, especially of the children [coming up] now,” said Jesus Partida. 

His older brother, Kevin Partida, midfielder for Orange County SC in the USL, was part of Reno 1866, He had similar thoughts and is hopeful for the future of soccer in Reno. 

“As the years go by, I appreciate and am more grateful to the city and the soccer community that helped me develop. I always wished that [Reno received] more publicity and losing the professional team didn’t help,” concluded Kevin Partida.

​​This article was written by Cameron Perkins, a Spanish and Journalism dual-major, in his senior year at the University of Nevada, Reno.