RENO, Nev. – Two of Reno 1868 FC’s forwards who played gigantic roles in Reno’s sophomore surge were named the team’s Offensive Players of the Year, the club announced Thursday.

Forwards Brian Brown and Antoine Hoppenot took home the award after the both wrapped up record-breaking seasons. Both Brown and Hoppenot were two of Reno’s key re-signings in the 2017 offseason and both lived up to the hype in 2018.

Brown scored in Reno’s season opener against Swope Park Rangers and kept pace throughout the season. The Jamaican forward filled in the No. 9 spot after close friend and teammate Dane Kelly signed an MLS contract with D.C. United.

Brown’s next goal came on May 12 in Reno’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win over rival Sacramento Republic FC at Papa Murphy’s Park. Brown’s form only got better at the midpoint of the season as he reached double-digit goals for the first time in his USL career.

And on Sept. 29, Brown became Reno 1868 FC’s all-time leading scorer scoring his 19th goal in a Reno kit. The goal helped him pass Dane Kelly’s previous record of 18. Brown’s 17 goals were good for Top 5 in the USL and second-most in a single season at Reno 1868 FC.

Brown also had four assists on the season.

Speaking of assists, fellow forward Antoine Hoppenot was just as lethal up front with Brown. The 2017 team co-MVP continued to set-up goals for his teammates en-route to 13-assist season. Hoppenot’s 13 assists broke Chris Wehan’s single-season record of 12 set in 2017.

Like Brown, Hoppenot made his mark in the beginning of the season with an assist in the opening match. His first goal of 2018 came in Reno’s 4-1 rout of LA Galaxy II.

But Hoppenot’s best goal of the season actually came on Aug. 28 against in-state rival Las Vegas Lights FC in the Silver State Cup. With the match looking like it was headed for yet another 1-1 draw, Hoppenot came through with some late heroics hitting a ball first-time past Vegas’ goalkeeper in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The 2-1 win helped Reno eventually win the Silver State Cup at the end of the 2018 season.  

In total, Hoppenot finished 2018 with five goals, 13 assists and a team-high 62 chances created.

2018 STATS

BRIAN BROWN

• 34 appearances
• 22 starts
• 2,192 minutes played
• 17 goals (led team)
• 4  assists
• 27 chances created 

ANTOINE HOPPENOT

• 34 appearances
• 30 starts
• 2,590 minutes played
• 13 assists (club record)
• 5 goals
• 62 chances created (club record)