Fresno Fuego
Encyclopedia
Fresno Fuego is an American soccer team based in Fresno, California
, United States
. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.
The team plays its home games at Chukchansi Park
, where they have played since 2006. The team's colors are red, white and black.
The club enjoys a successful cross-promotional partnership with the Fresno Grizzlies
AAA baseball team, at the time the first of its kind in the PDL.
from San Luis Obispo. Playing on the campus of San Joaquin Memorial High School
, Fresno made a blistering start to their first campaign, scoring eight goals in back-to-back wins over Nevada Wonders
, California Gold
and Orange County Blue Star
, with striker Orlando Ramirez
impressing. Fresno's impressive early season form also saw them qualify for the US Open Cup, where they made it all the way to the fourth round with victories over Chico Rooks
, Utah Blitzz
and El Paso Patriots
, before they finally fell 3-1 to Los Angeles Galaxy
. Fresno's home form was superb during their first season, losing just one game - a 3-2 turnaround to California Gold
- the entire year. Fuego's Latin American connection, led by Ramirez and Fabricio Codeceira was hugely influential, and by the end of their debut year they were sitting proudly atop the Southwest table, ahead of Orange County Blue Star
on goal difference. The playoffs were a disappointment; after defeating Northwest champions Spokane Shadow
, Fresno fell to Blue Star in the conference final.
2004 saw the Fuego move to a new home at Fresno Pacific University
, but the change did not affect their on-field performances, which included two 5-1 thrashings of the San Diego Gauchos
, and nine-goal haul over 2 games against California Gold
. Orlando Ramirez
, Edgardo Contreras, Jose Luis Espindola and Milton Blanco
continued their free-scoring exploits, and by the end of the 18-game season they finished just four points behind divisional champs Orange County Blue Star
, and for the second year in a row made the playoffs. This time, however, Fuego took the conference title after wins over Cascade Surge
and Blue Star. However, progress on the national stage eluded them, a 3-0 defeat to central conference champs Boulder Rapids Reserve
ending their dreams of the PDL title. Nevertheless, two straight trips to the playoffs was impressive for a 2-year franchise.
2005 saw expansion in the Southwest, and Fresno suffered a little. Despite opening strongly with 3 wins in their first 4 games, a mid-season slump saw them drop points against the Southern California Seahorses
, California Gold
and BYU Cougars. As a result, the gap between them and the divisional leaders - Blue Star and Seahorses - was too great, and despite winning 5 of their last 6 games - and scoring 15 goals in the process - they eventually finished third in the table. Veteran Edgardo Contreras and new signing Amaury Nunes
were the top marksmen, knocking in 8 goals each, while Brazilian Fabricio Codeceira was a midfield dynamo, registering 7 assists for the season. Once again, Fresno's playoff campaign was a short one, falling to Orange County Blue Star
in the first game.
2006 was more difficult still for Fuego. First of all, they found themselves without a permanent home stadium, and instead were forced to travel all over the city - to Golden West High School
and Central High School
amongst others - in search of a pitch on which to play. Secondly, even more expansion in the division raised the level of competition considerably. Fresno stuttered inconsistently through their opening games, beating San Diego Gauchos
5-2, then losing 4-0 to Los Angeles Storm
, thrashing San Diego 4-0, then losing 4-1 to the expansion San Francisco Seals. Fabricio Codeceira and Amaury Nunes
remained potent in front of goal, netting 18 times between them, but their spotty form was their downfall, and by the end of the season head coach Jaime Ramirez
's men were a distant fifth behind league leaders Orange County Blue Star
and Southern California Seahorses
.
2007 saw a huge change in fortunes for the Fuego. Before the season began the team signed a partnership with the AAA baseball franchise, the Fresno Grizzlies
, resulting in cross-promotion, publicity, and a new home: Chukchansi Park
in the heart of downtown Fresno. Buoyed by fan support which reached 3,000 spectators at home games, Fuego were resurgent: impressive early-season wins over the Southern California Seahorses
and the San Fernando Valley Quakes
kept them in the hunt for the playoffs, and their impressive home form meant that, by the end of the year, they were one of the four teams battling for the two playoff spots. A final day 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Seals gave them the divisional title over the San Fernando Valley Quakes
on goal difference; prolific Brazilian striker Pablo Campos
scored two of his 18 goals, and cemented his position as the league-leading goalscorer. The playoffs, which were hosted by Fresno at Chukchansi, saw them demolish Tacoma Tide 4-1, and then knock off Northwest champs BYU Cougars to take their second conference title; but once again their national challenge saw them fall at the first hurdle, losing 1-0 to eventual PDL national champions Laredo Heat
.
2008 was a year of continued growth for Fuego in business terms, unveiling a new logo, and building on their new 3,000-strong fan base and their relationship with the Fresno Grizzlies
at Chukchansi Park
. On-field, the team stuttered slightly in the opening month of the season, winning just one of their first three games, 2-1 away at Southern California Seahorses
. By mid-season, however, Fuego were burning up their opposition, with striker Pablo Campos
continuing his free-scoring ways. He scored two in the 4-3 win over Orange County Blue Star
, a hat trick in the 4-0 home win against Bakersfield Brigade
, two more in the 4-1 demolition at Lancaster Rattlers
, and another hat trick in the 6-2 annihilation of Los Angeles Legends in late June. By this time, Campos had been spotted by international scouts, and before the end of the month he was off to GAIS
in Gothenburg, Sweden, to begin his professional career, leaving Fresno to find a replacement marksman. Campos's send-off was a disappointing one, with Fresno losing 4-1 at home to Ventura County Fusion
in his farewell game, and it was almost as though Campos' impending departure was affecting Fuego. They suffered another 4-1 home loss in July, this time to the San Fernando Valley Quakes
, and by the time the season finale came down, Fuego's lead had been whittled away. The final regular season game, away at San Fernando Valley Quakes
, was a winner-take-all game for the divisional title. The Quakes won it 2-1 to take the championship, but Fresno made it through to the post-season to host the Western Conference championship for the second year in succession. Their first round game was a rematch against Northwest Conference champions Tacoma Tide; however, without Campos's firepower, Fresno were toothless in attack, and eventually fell 3-0. Despite leaving mid-season, Pablo Campos
was still Fuego's top scorer with 14 goals, while the ever-dependable Fabricio Codeceira contributed 13 assists.
Fresno suffered one of their worst seasons in several years in 2009. A general lack of firepower - the result of losing Pablo Campos
and Amaury Nunes
to the professional ranks - and a frustrating tendency to inconsistency kept the Fuego on the back from their opening game, which they lost 1-0 to divisional new boys Hollywood United Hitmen
. Fuego bounced back with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Legends, and played Lancaster Rattlers
to an astonishing 5-5 tie at the end of May where they were 4-0 down at half time, fought back to lead 5-4, only to concede a last minute equalizer. The season's high point was the 5-1 hammering of Orange County Blue Star
in June in which Santiago Aguilera Navarro his a brace; the low point was the 7-1 annihilation they suffered at the hands of the Legends at home a week later. An middling run through the middle part of the season left Fuego playing catchup as July began, and despite winning three of their final five games - including a 3-0 victory over local rivals Bakersfield Brigade
and a 3-1 final day victory over divisional champions Hollywood, they finished the season in fifth place, out of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Tyler Reinhart and Paul Islas were Fresno's top scorers, with 5 goals each.
2010 was a season of two halves for Fresno. The first half of the season was generally poor. They lost their opening game of the season 3-0 to the Hollywood United Hitmen
, bounced back to beat the Ogden Outlaws
4-0, but then were annihilated 7-2 by Orange County Blue Star
. The season's nadir came in the return game against Orange County in early June when the Fuego, 3-0 up after 52 minutes, fell apart and somehow managed to lose 4-3 thanks to a hat trick from OC's striker Amani Walker
. Things began to change in mid-June thanks to an impressive 4-1 away win over the Lancaster Rattlers
; following this victory, Fuego embarked on a marvellous 8-game unbeaten streak to the end of the season, comprising 6 wins and 2 ties. Milton Blanco
scored a 90th minute winner in a seesaw 4-3 victory over the Southern California Seahorses
which saw three red cards. They came back from a 2-1 deficit to beat Los Angeles Azul Legends 3-2 in early July, in a game which saw the Legends reduced to 8 men in the second half, and wiped the floor with Lancaster on the final day of the regular season with a 7-0 victory in which second half substitute Gabriel Gonzalez hit a hat trick. Unfortunately for Fresno their early season form proved to be their undoing, and despite rising from the bottom of the table, eventually finished fourth in the division, and out of the playoffs. Veteran Fuego midfielder Fabricio Codeceira was the team's top performer, with 10 goals and 7 assists on the season.
Pablo Campos
Mike Chabala
Ryan Kenny
Paul Moran Amaury Nunes
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.
The team plays its home games at Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park, formerly Grizzlies Stadium, is a city-owned baseball stadium located in Fresno, California, completed in 2002 as the home for the Pacific Coast League, Fresno Grizzlies. In September 2006, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, affiliated with the Chukchansi tribe, announced it would be...
, where they have played since 2006. The team's colors are red, white and black.
The club enjoys a successful cross-promotional partnership with the Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
AAA baseball team, at the time the first of its kind in the PDL.
History
Fuego made their debut in PDL competition in 2003, having picked up the franchise rights from the former PDL champions, the Central Coast RoadrunnersCentral Coast Roadrunners
Central Coast Roadrunners were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise rights were transferred to the...
from San Luis Obispo. Playing on the campus of San Joaquin Memorial High School
San Joaquin Memorial High School
San Joaquin Memorial High School is a private Catholic high school located in Fresno, California. Founded in 1945, it is the only Catholic high school located in the greater Fresno area. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno with a current enrollment of about 620 students...
, Fresno made a blistering start to their first campaign, scoring eight goals in back-to-back wins over Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders
Nevada Wonders were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...
, California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
and Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, with striker Orlando Ramirez
Orlando Ramírez
Orlando Ramírez Leal is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the California Angels between 1974 and 1979...
impressing. Fresno's impressive early season form also saw them qualify for the US Open Cup, where they made it all the way to the fourth round with victories over Chico Rooks
Chico Rooks
The Chico Rooks was an American soccer team, founded in 1993 by Guido Barbero. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006...
, Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz
Utah Blitzz was a professional soccer team in the USL Second Division. It withdrew following the 2004 season, after winning the championship.-Year-by-year:...
and El Paso Patriots
El Paso Patriots
Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, before they finally fell 3-1 to Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
. Fresno's home form was superb during their first season, losing just one game - a 3-2 turnaround to California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
- the entire year. Fuego's Latin American connection, led by Ramirez and Fabricio Codeceira was hugely influential, and by the end of their debut year they were sitting proudly atop the Southwest table, ahead of Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
on goal difference. The playoffs were a disappointment; after defeating Northwest champions Spokane Shadow
Spokane Shadow
Spokane Shadow was an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when the franchise was terminated by the PDL after the 10-year old artificial turf at their home...
, Fresno fell to Blue Star in the conference final.
2004 saw the Fuego move to a new home at Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University also known as FPU is an accredited Christian university located in Fresno, California, United States. It was founded in 1944 by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The university awarded its first bachelor of arts degree in 1965...
, but the change did not affect their on-field performances, which included two 5-1 thrashings of the San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.The Gauchos played their...
, and nine-goal haul over 2 games against California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
. Orlando Ramirez
Orlando Ramírez
Orlando Ramírez Leal is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and right-handed batter who played for the California Angels between 1974 and 1979...
, Edgardo Contreras, Jose Luis Espindola and Milton Blanco
Milton Blanco
Milton Blanco is an American soccer player who currently plays for Fresno Fuego in the USL Premier Development League. He is the 2011 MVP award winner for the USL PDL League...
continued their free-scoring exploits, and by the end of the 18-game season they finished just four points behind divisional champs Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, and for the second year in a row made the playoffs. This time, however, Fuego took the conference title after wins over Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge
Cascade Surge was an American soccer team based in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its home games...
and Blue Star. However, progress on the national stage eluded them, a 3-0 defeat to central conference champs Boulder Rapids Reserve
Boulder Rapids Reserve
Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
ending their dreams of the PDL title. Nevertheless, two straight trips to the playoffs was impressive for a 2-year franchise.
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
, California Gold
California Gold
Not to be confused with the television series California's GoldCalifornia Gold was an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and...
and BYU Cougars. As a result, the gap between them and the divisional leaders - Blue Star and Seahorses - was too great, and despite winning 5 of their last 6 games - and scoring 15 goals in the process - they eventually finished third in the table. Veteran Edgardo Contreras and new signing Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Citizen AA in the 2011-12 Hong Kong First Division League.-College and Amateur:...
were the top marksmen, knocking in 8 goals each, while Brazilian Fabricio Codeceira was a midfield dynamo, registering 7 assists for the season. Once again, Fresno's playoff campaign was a short one, falling to Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in the first game.
2006 was more difficult still for Fuego. First of all, they found themselves without a permanent home stadium, and instead were forced to travel all over the city - to Golden West High School
Golden West High School
-Students Enrollment by Grade:* Grade 9: 452* Grade 10: 522* Grade 11: 522* Grade 12: 621-Student Enrollment by Ethnic Background:* African American: 0.6%* White: 45.7%* Native American or Alaska Native: 0.7%...
and Central High School
Central High School (Fresno, California)
Central High School is a high school in Fresno, California. It is one of two high school campuses in the Central Unified School District. The newer campus has been named East Campus while the older one is denoted as West Campus. The grizzly bear serves as both campuses' mascot...
amongst others - in search of a pitch on which to play. Secondly, even more expansion in the division raised the level of competition considerably. Fresno stuttered inconsistently through their opening games, beating San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos
San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team, founded in 2002. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.The Gauchos played their...
5-2, then losing 4-0 to Los Angeles Storm
Los Angeles Storm
Los Angeles Misioneros is an American soccer team based in Inglewood, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games...
, thrashing San Diego 4-0, then losing 4-1 to the expansion San Francisco Seals. Fabricio Codeceira and Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Citizen AA in the 2011-12 Hong Kong First Division League.-College and Amateur:...
remained potent in front of goal, netting 18 times between them, but their spotty form was their downfall, and by the end of the season head coach Jaime Ramirez
Jaime Ramírez
Jaime Caupolicán Ramírez Banda was a Chilean football striker.-Club:He was skillful with the ball, he had great technique and even at his height, he had a great heading shot, he played in the junior divisions of Bádminton , Universidad de Chile in the Ballet Azul years, Colo-Colo champion with the...
's men were a distant fifth behind league leaders Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
and Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
.
2007 saw a huge change in fortunes for the Fuego. Before the season began the team signed a partnership with the AAA baseball franchise, the Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
, resulting in cross-promotion, publicity, and a new home: Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park, formerly Grizzlies Stadium, is a city-owned baseball stadium located in Fresno, California, completed in 2002 as the home for the Pacific Coast League, Fresno Grizzlies. In September 2006, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, affiliated with the Chukchansi tribe, announced it would be...
in the heart of downtown Fresno. Buoyed by fan support which reached 3,000 spectators at home games, Fuego were resurgent: impressive early-season wins over the Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
and the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
kept them in the hunt for the playoffs, and their impressive home form meant that, by the end of the year, they were one of the four teams battling for the two playoff spots. A final day 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Seals gave them the divisional title over the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
on goal difference; prolific Brazilian striker Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
scored two of his 18 goals, and cemented his position as the league-leading goalscorer. The playoffs, which were hosted by Fresno at Chukchansi, saw them demolish Tacoma Tide 4-1, and then knock off Northwest champs BYU Cougars to take their second conference title; but once again their national challenge saw them fall at the first hurdle, losing 1-0 to eventual PDL national champions Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat is an American soccer team based in Laredo, Texas, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference....
.
2008 was a year of continued growth for Fuego in business terms, unveiling a new logo, and building on their new 3,000-strong fan base and their relationship with the Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
at Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park, formerly Grizzlies Stadium, is a city-owned baseball stadium located in Fresno, California, completed in 2002 as the home for the Pacific Coast League, Fresno Grizzlies. In September 2006, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, affiliated with the Chukchansi tribe, announced it would be...
. On-field, the team stuttered slightly in the opening month of the season, winning just one of their first three games, 2-1 away at Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
. By mid-season, however, Fuego were burning up their opposition, with striker Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
continuing his free-scoring ways. He scored two in the 4-3 win over Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
, a hat trick in the 4-0 home win against Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
, two more in the 4-1 demolition at Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...
, and another hat trick in the 6-2 annihilation of Los Angeles Legends in late June. By this time, Campos had been spotted by international scouts, and before the end of the month he was off to GAIS
GAIS
Göteborgs Atlet- och Idrottssällskap is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg, currently playing in Allsvenskan. The club is commonly referred to simply as GAIS, while its fans also refers to the club as grönsvart or the mackerels because of the traditional shirt colours...
in Gothenburg, Sweden, to begin his professional career, leaving Fresno to find a replacement marksman. Campos's send-off was a disappointing one, with Fresno losing 4-1 at home to Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
in his farewell game, and it was almost as though Campos' impending departure was affecting Fuego. They suffered another 4-1 home loss in July, this time to the San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
, and by the time the season finale came down, Fuego's lead had been whittled away. The final regular season game, away at San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes
San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
, was a winner-take-all game for the divisional title. The Quakes won it 2-1 to take the championship, but Fresno made it through to the post-season to host the Western Conference championship for the second year in succession. Their first round game was a rematch against Northwest Conference champions Tacoma Tide; however, without Campos's firepower, Fresno were toothless in attack, and eventually fell 3-0. Despite leaving mid-season, Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
was still Fuego's top scorer with 14 goals, while the ever-dependable Fabricio Codeceira contributed 13 assists.
Fresno suffered one of their worst seasons in several years in 2009. A general lack of firepower - the result of losing Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
and Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Citizen AA in the 2011-12 Hong Kong First Division League.-College and Amateur:...
to the professional ranks - and a frustrating tendency to inconsistency kept the Fuego on the back from their opening game, which they lost 1-0 to divisional new boys Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen is an American soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division, having switched from the...
. Fuego bounced back with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Legends, and played Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...
to an astonishing 5-5 tie at the end of May where they were 4-0 down at half time, fought back to lead 5-4, only to concede a last minute equalizer. The season's high point was the 5-1 hammering of Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in June in which Santiago Aguilera Navarro his a brace; the low point was the 7-1 annihilation they suffered at the hands of the Legends at home a week later. An middling run through the middle part of the season left Fuego playing catchup as July began, and despite winning three of their final five games - including a 3-0 victory over local rivals Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
and a 3-1 final day victory over divisional champions Hollywood, they finished the season in fifth place, out of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Tyler Reinhart and Paul Islas were Fresno's top scorers, with 5 goals each.
2010 was a season of two halves for Fresno. The first half of the season was generally poor. They lost their opening game of the season 3-0 to the Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen
Hollywood United Hitmen is an American soccer team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 2009, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division, having switched from the...
, bounced back to beat the Ogden Outlaws
Ogden Outlaws
Ogden Outlaws is an American soccer team based in Ogden, Utah, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference....
4-0, but then were annihilated 7-2 by Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star
Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...
. The season's nadir came in the return game against Orange County in early June when the Fuego, 3-0 up after 52 minutes, fell apart and somehow managed to lose 4-3 thanks to a hat trick from OC's striker Amani Walker
Amani Walker
Amani Walker is a Jamaican footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
. Things began to change in mid-June thanks to an impressive 4-1 away win over the Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers
Lancaster Rattlers is an American soccer team based in Lancaster, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division.The team plays its home games...
; following this victory, Fuego embarked on a marvellous 8-game unbeaten streak to the end of the season, comprising 6 wins and 2 ties. Milton Blanco
Milton Blanco
Milton Blanco is an American soccer player who currently plays for Fresno Fuego in the USL Premier Development League. He is the 2011 MVP award winner for the USL PDL League...
scored a 90th minute winner in a seesaw 4-3 victory over the Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses
Southern California Seahorses is an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home...
which saw three red cards. They came back from a 2-1 deficit to beat Los Angeles Azul Legends 3-2 in early July, in a game which saw the Legends reduced to 8 men in the second half, and wiped the floor with Lancaster on the final day of the regular season with a 7-0 victory in which second half substitute Gabriel Gonzalez hit a hat trick. Unfortunately for Fresno their early season form proved to be their undoing, and despite rising from the bottom of the table, eventually finished fourth in the division, and out of the playoffs. Veteran Fuego midfielder Fabricio Codeceira was the team's top performer, with 10 goals and 7 assists on the season.
Current roster
As at June 5, 2011Notable former players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos
Pablo Campos is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
Mike Chabala
Mike Chabala
Mike Chabala is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Ryan Kenny
Ryan Kenny
Ryan Kenny is an American soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Paul Moran Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes
Amaury Nunes is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Citizen AA in the 2011-12 Hong Kong First Division League.-College and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southwest | Conference Finals | 4th Round |
| 2004 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Southwest | National Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Southwest | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southwest | National Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Southwest | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Southwest | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southwest | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
Honors
- USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2011
- USL PDL Southwest Division Champions 2011
- USL PDL Western Conference Champions 2007
- USL PDL Southwest Division Champions 2007
- USL PDL Western Conference Champions 2004
- USL PDL Southwest Division Champions 2003
Stadia
- Stadium at San Joaquin Memorial High SchoolSan Joaquin Memorial High SchoolSan Joaquin Memorial High School is a private Catholic high school located in Fresno, California. Founded in 1945, it is the only Catholic high school located in the greater Fresno area. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno with a current enrollment of about 620 students...
; Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, CaliforniaFresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
(2003) - Stadium at Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno Pacific UniversityFresno Pacific University also known as FPU is an accredited Christian university located in Fresno, California, United States. It was founded in 1944 by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The university awarded its first bachelor of arts degree in 1965...
; Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, CaliforniaFresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
(2003–2005) - Stadium at Golden West High SchoolGolden West High School-Students Enrollment by Grade:* Grade 9: 452* Grade 10: 522* Grade 11: 522* Grade 12: 621-Student Enrollment by Ethnic Background:* African American: 0.6%* White: 45.7%* Native American or Alaska Native: 0.7%...
; Visalia, CaliforniaVisalia, CaliforniaVisalia is a Central California city situated in the heart of California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, approximately southeast of San Francisco and north of Los Angeles...
, 2 games (2006) - Stadium at Central High SchoolCentral High School (Fresno, California)Central High School is a high school in Fresno, California. It is one of two high school campuses in the Central Unified School District. The newer campus has been named East Campus while the older one is denoted as West Campus. The grizzly bear serves as both campuses' mascot...
; Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, CaliforniaFresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, 5 games (2006) - Chukchansi ParkChukchansi ParkChukchansi Park, formerly Grizzlies Stadium, is a city-owned baseball stadium located in Fresno, California, completed in 2002 as the home for the Pacific Coast League, Fresno Grizzlies. In September 2006, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, affiliated with the Chukchansi tribe, announced it would be...
; Fresno, CaliforniaFresno, CaliforniaFresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
(2006–present)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2005: 345
- 2006: 1,147 (5th in PDL)
- 2007: 3,068 (2nd in PDL)
- 2008: 3,384 (1st in PDL)
- 2009: 2,597 (3rd in PDL)
- 2010: 2,443 (3rd in PDL)