The Fresno Fuego traveled to Southern California this weekend to face the 2009 Southwest Division Champions and the 2009 National Champions in back-to-back days.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Fresno Fuego took on the 2009 Southwest Division Champions, Hollywood United Hitmen at Palisades High School in Southern California. Fresno opened their 2010 campaign against the Hitmen and came up short, losing 3 goals to none at Chukchansi Park on April 24th. Fuego entered the game in hopes of a better result.
Both teams took the field in what seemed to be a defensive battle with a 0-0 score at halftime. Though things would quickly change, as Fuego midfielder Milton Blanco slotted one home in the 51st minute giving the Fuego a 1-0 lead. The Hitmen soon answered as Emmanuel Bentil was able to put one past Fresno Goalkeeper Gilbert Vega in the 55th. Hollywood didn’t stop there as Jaime Chavez (68th minute) and Edwin Miranda (71st minute) extended their lead to 3-1.
But Fuego continued to apply pressure and Tyler Reinhart was taken down inside the box and was awarded a penalty. Fuego midfielder Fabricio Codeceira stepped up to cut the lead to 3-2.
Fresno didn’t stop there, it was striker Tyler Reinhart who put one in the back of the net to even things up in the 88th minute. The whistle finally blew and the game ended in a 3-3 tie giving both teams one point.
Fresno Fuego (1-2-2)
Hollywood United (1-2-2)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fuego traveled to Buena High School to take on the defending National Champions Ventura County Fusion in a critical game. A win would give Fresno a total of 8 points and would catapult them into a tie for second place with the L.A. Legends in the Southwest division.
Ventura entered the game with an undefeated record of 4-0-0 giving them the outright first place position in the tables.
Fuego took the field in a 3-5-2 formation in hopes to disrupt the powerful Fusion offense.
Fresno looked to have the upper hand through the first half, though came up short as the half ended at 0-0.
As both teams fought, it wasn’t until late in the game as Fuego defender Jamie Calvo scored on a corner kick in the 87th minute to give Fresno a 1-0 lead. And that was enough as Fresno held on to give Ventura their first loss of the season.
“The guys finally put it all together,” explained Fuego General Manager Jeremy Schultz, “this was the best we’ve looked all season…if the guys continue to play this way and with that passion, we’ll be tough to beat.”
Fresno Fuego (2-2-2)
Ventura County Fusion (4-1-0)
The Fresno Fuego will travel to take on the Orange County Blue Star on June 6th before returning to Chukchansi Park June 10th to face Ventura County Fusion. For tickets call 320.TIXS.
For more game information and your entire Premier Development League stats visit www.uslsoccer.com.