FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2015
Primary Contact | Jeremy Schultz, [email protected], 559.320.2543
THE HIGHWAY 99 DERBY IS COMING TO CHUKCHANSI PARK
The Fresno Fuego FC will face rival Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, February 7th in Downtown Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Fuego FC, four-time Southwest Division Champions in the Premier Development League (PDL), have announced today they will host an exhibition match with 2014 USL PRO Champions Sacramento Republic FC scheduled for Saturday, February 7th at 7:00 p.m. The match, dubbed the Highway 99 Derby, marks the first time the two teams will meet at Chukchansi Park, with the only previous match between the two being a Sacramento victory over Fresno in the third round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“Sacramento Republic FC ultimately recharged their entire city last year by winning a championship in their inaugural USL PRO season,” stated Fresno Fuego GM Jeremy Schultz. “Although we congratulate their accomplishments, we expect this event to be nothing short of a classic rivalry match. The Fuego is playing for pride of City and Club, and we look for our community to join and support us as we take on the Republic. We have a prime opportunity to come together and showcase that Fresno spirit. Our city is the consummate underdog in California and we’re excited to measure ourselves against an extremely talented Sacramento club that is on the brink of becoming the next Major League Soccer franchise.”
Tickets ($6-$16) for the Highway 99 Derby go on sale Wednesday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. and will be available for purchase online, by calling 559.320.TIXS, or by stopping by the Chukchansi Park Box Office (1800 Tulare St) Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those interested in group tickets or luxury suites, please contact Adam Gleich at [email protected]. Gates for the February 7th exhibition match open at 6:00 p.m. For questions regarding tickets, please call 559.320.2543.
“The Fresno Fuego is an exceptionally run club, and as we know from past experience, provide great talent and competition,” said Republic FC Technical Director Graham Smith. “We look forward to visiting Fresno, its fans and being a part of the inaugural 99 Derby.”
Additionally, the Fuego will also host USL PRO LA Galaxy II in an exhibition match on Saturday, February 21st at Chukchansi Park. Tickets for that 7:00 p.m. match also go on sale Wednesday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. The Galaxy II, owned and operated by the LA Galaxy, was knocked out of the 2014 USL PRO playoffs by eventual champion Sacramento Republic. In the only career contest against the Fuego, the LA Galaxy II earned a 2-1 victory at Chukchansi Park prior to the 2014 Central California Cup.
#ForCityAndClub
ABOUT FRESNO FUEGO FC
The Fresno Fuego compete in the Southwest Division of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Founded in 2003, the team plays its home games in the heart of Downtown Fresno at Chukchansi Park and competes in the Southwest Division of the United Soccer League Western Conference. There have been over 30 Fresno Fuego players to sign significant professional contracts in the history of the franchise, most recently Jose “Chiva” Cuevas (USL PRO Arizona United). Season Tickets, Group packages and fundraising options for the 2015 season are currently available by contacting Jeremy Schultz at [email protected]. The Fuego home schedule runs May through July.
ABOUT SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
Sacramento Republic FC are the 2014 USL PRO Champions. The club hosts its home matches at Bonney Field located on the grounds of Cal Expo. The club’s commitment to position Sacramento as an “indomitable city” is evident through its community investments and efforts to procure an MLS franchise. The club is “Built for MLS” with the highest caliber of talent, both on and off the field, including 2014 USL PRO Coach of the Year Predrag “Preki” Radosavljević. The club’s motto is urbs indomita – Indomitable City. Indomitable Club. Republic FC is currently taking deposits for MLS season tickets (should the club be granted expansion rights) via BuiltForMLS.com. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com.