FRESNO, CA – The Fresno Fuego opened the 2017 season with an emphatic victory at Chukchansi Park Saturday night, claiming 3 points with a 4-0 win over Southwest division rivals the Burlingame Dragons. The Fuego were led by attacking midfielder Jose ‘Chiva’ Cuevas, who opened the scoring with a superb curling effort from just outside the penalty area in the 4th minute, with Renato Bustamante providing the assist. Cuevas completed his brace just 6 minutes later, when forward Etiandro Tavares’ effort on goal hit the crossbar and Cuevas headed the ball home on the rebound.
The Dragons applied pressure on the Fuego backline after the 2nd goal, with Burlingame’s best effort coming from a free kick that was dealt with by Fuego keeper Agustin Rey. Fuego captain Milton Blanco got in on the goals to make it 3-0 to the Fuego in the 26th minute, poking the ball past Dragons keeper Timoteo Arellano from the middle of the penalty area. Burlingame went close to pulling one back in the 39th minute, when the Bay Area club countered well but Efosa Odiase’s shot sailed just over the bar.
The Fuego controlled possession in the second half with the 3-goal advantage and wrapped up the 3 points in the 78th minute, when Fresno winger Diego Casillas hit an absolute screamer from outside the penalty area as Burlingame were trying to clear their lines from a corner kick.
With the victory, Fresno shares the top spot in the Southwest division with FC Golden State Force, who beat San Francisco City FC Friday night in Glendora 4-0.
For those that weren’t able to attend, a replay of the match will be broadcast on CBS47 tomorrow, May 7 at 4pm.
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The Fuego return to Chukchansi Park Wednesday evening, as they host La Máquina FC in the 1st round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Kick-off is set for 7pm with tickets available at the Chukchansi Park box office and online at bit.ly/FuegoTickets.
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