Sunday, April 22, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. -- The 2011 PDL Regular Season Champions Fresno Fuego kicked off their new campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over the L.A. Misioneros, in front of 4,273 fans on a sunny afternoon at Chukchansi Park. It was the second-largest Opening Night attendance for the Fuego and the highest for a Sunday game.
The Fuego were in control from the start and in the 30th minute rookie Alex Caceres opened the scoring after a perfect pass from Emmanuel Ochoa. The star of the game, though, was Fresno Pacific University’s product Paul Islas, who, after a two-year hiatus, has rejoined the Fuego. With assists from veteran Gaston Cignetti and Gustavo Silva, Islas scored back-to-back goals in the first half.
The Misioneros were able to find the net early in the second half, Cesar Rivera cutting the Fuego’s lead to 3-1, but Araia Berhane’s sealed the Fuego’s opening night win in the 57th minute.
The Fuego will travel to Los Angeles next Sunday to meet the Misioneros at 5 p.m. The next home game will be on Saturday, May 5th, when the Fuego will host FC Tucson at 7 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free Fuego t-shirt, courtesy of Marquez Brothers and El Mexicano Brand. It will be a whole day Cinco de Mayo celebration in Downtown Fresno with Univision hosting their annual Cinco de Mayo event at Fulton Mall.
In collaboration with Univision Radio, the Fuego will continue to provide free game passes to fans for all home games. Fans just need to call Univision Radio at (559) 430-8500 or visit the Fuego Facebook Fan page.