The United Soccer League, in partnership with Reno Pro Soccer, has announced plans to bring professional soccer to northern Nevada.
On September 8, Reno Pro Soccer closed on the former Jones West Ford site at Kietzke Lane. The vacant property is set to be redeveloped into a sports and entertainment district that includes a soccer-specific stadium. The stadium will be home to a USL professional men’s team.
“As the USL continues to expand in the Western U.S., we’re excited about the potential of bringing professional soccer to northern Nevada,” said Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer. “Reno is one of the fastest-growing mid-size cities in the country with a passionate soccer fan base. Add in a dedicated local ownership group with plans for a soccer-specific stadium in a prime location, and you have the foundation needed to build a successful club and raise Reno’s profile across the region.”
Reno Pro Soccer is led by a group with experience in business, sports, media, and philanthropy, and strong local ties:
- Todd Davis, principal owner, is a local entrepreneur and investor with a background in professional soccer. “This club and planned development will be about more than professional soccer; it will serve as a catalyst for Reno’s future,” said Davis. “The stadium will be a gathering place where our city’s spirit, energy, and pride come alive.”
- Wendy Damonte, co-founder and CEO, is a former evening news anchor who spent 21 years at KTVN-TV in Reno. “This is a bold step for Reno, and we look forward to working with our city leaders, community stakeholders, and local businesses to build a community-driven soccer club and transform Reno into northern Nevada’s premier destination for sports and entertainment,” said Damonte.
- Bob Enzenberger, deputy CEO and general counsel, is a lawyer with more than 20 years of experience as a litigator and more than 15 years as a full-time mediator and arbitrator.
- John Doyle is a former U.S. international defender and longtime executive with the San Jose Earthquakes. He earned 53 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team and competed in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. As Earthquakes general manager from 2007 to 2016, he oversaw the development of Avaya Stadium, launched the club’s youth academy, and assembled the roster that won the 2012 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
In the coming months, Reno Pro Soccer will gather community input to help shape the club’s identity, including team name, brand colors, crest, and matchday experience. Fans can get involved by visiting renoprosoccer.com to sign up for updates.
The United Soccer League was founded in 1986 and is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. It is the first and only organization to offer a complete youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem.
The USL operates four men’s leagues: a newly announced top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III) and USL League Two (pre-professional). On the women’s side, it oversees the Gainbridge Super League (Division I), which launched in 2024, and the USL W League, the country’s top pre-professional women’s league. The USL also runs the USL Academy and USL Youth programs to support talent development and youth engagement.
The league holds long-term media rights deals with CBS Sports, ESPN, and Peacock.
