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Central Valley Fuego FC

Central Valley Fuego FC Falls to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

April 14, 2024 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Central Valley Fuego FC News Release


FRESNO, CA - In a riveting encounter at the Fresno State Soccer Stadium, Central Valley Fuego FC squared off against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The final whistle blew, echoing a result that saw Chattanooga Red Wolves emerge victorious with a 4-2 scoreline over Central Valley Fuego FC.

The match kicked off with an intense tempo as both teams vied for early dominance. However, it was Chattanooga who struck first, setting the tone with an opening goal that put Fuego on the back foot. Despite the setback, Fuego fought valiantly, pressing forward in search of an equalizer.

In the 40th minute, Zahir Vazquez found the back of the net, sparking excitement among the home supporters. The goal provided a glimpse of hope for Fuego FC, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 just before the halftime whistle.

The second half witnessed a spirited display from both sides, with Fuego FC pushing forward in pursuit of an equalizer once more. However, Chattanooga's clinical finishing proved decisive as they extended their lead with two more goals.

Fuego FC refused to back down, showing resilience till the final whistle. In the 80th minute, Qudus Lawal scored another goal for the home team. Despite their best efforts, Fuego FC ultimately fell short as Chattanooga held on to secure the victory.

The match was not without its share of drama, as evidenced by the multitude of yellow cards given by the referee. Fuego FC received three yellow cards, while Chattanooga amassed seven, reflecting the intensity of the contest.

Reflecting on the result, Head Coach Jermaine Jones expressed his frustration, "We give too easy chances and give too easy goals away. They come out of nowhere. We push for goals, and we have to fight to get goals. We're building, we have a new group, players have to find each other. We played the fifth game, but we know it's time to win games. We're professionals and we need to start winning." Zahir Vazquez echoed similar sentiments, "It's frustrating. We worked hard to try and get 3 points in front of our fans and the community and to go down quick it's tough. We were able to get together and come back but it's just that frustrating stuff still. We need to get back to work and get 3 points next time."

For Qudus Lawal, scoring his first goal of the season held special significance, serving as a testament to his resilience amidst injury setbacks. He stated, "It's a work in progress. We have to look in the mirror and look at ourselves. It's still early in the season but that's no excuse. We have to stay hungry from start to finish." He also commented on his first goal of the season and expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support and vowed to continue giving his all for the team, "It's been injuries upon injuries, and I'm just thankful. Every time I put my shirt on for Fuego, it means a lot to me. It's my family. Through thick or thin, I'll be there. I applaud our fans for sticking with us, just keep believing in us."

As Fuego regroups and looks ahead to their next challenge against Spokane Velocity on April 27th, they are poised to harness the lessons learned from this encounter and channel their efforts towards securing a positive result.

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