Fresno Soccer Club’s Fire Burns Out

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno is, once again, kicking off a new soccer season without a professional club.

Last season, the Fuego Football Club, the Central Valley’s only professional soccer team, finished last in the United Soccer League. After that, the front office dropped the team’s professional status and joined the amateur 4th tier of U.S. soccer in January.

This is the third time in eight years a professional soccer organization in Fresno has folded or left outright.

The previous iteration of Fuego FC is now Monterrey Bay FC. That team is competing in the USL Championship, the 2nd tier of U.S. soccer. This turn of events leaves a sour taste in the mouth of the Central Valley soccer community.

“We had Fresno FC, which I was a part of and we also had the Fresno Fuego, which I was also part of,” former Fuego player Milton Blanco said. “Could things have been done better? Yes. But, you know, at least those groups provided that opportunity for the local talent.”

Blanco is also the current assistant manager of the Fuego FC.

The absence of a professional club in Fresno leaves a void for young players. Those players fill that void by going somewhere else.

Eric Canela has played for Valley FC for a couple of seasons. He is one of only two goalkeepers to play matches with both Valley and Fuego FC.

“If you ever been to a game, you could feel the love and peace around all the people that just want to love soccer and watch it and enjoy their time,” Canela said. “I think it just brings everyone together and that’s what we’re missing in this community.”

The culture is still very much alive, and although many locals have their doubts there is still hope for pro soccer in the valley air.