
Foxes Beat Sounders 2 for First Win in Franchise History
March 29, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Fresno FC News Release
TACOMA - It took getting away from its home stadium for Fresno Football Club to collect its first win in franchise history, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2 1-0 on Wednesday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. Midfielder Jemal Johnson scored the game-winner for The Foxes, heading in a dime of a cross from right back Zach Ellis-Hayden at the 82nd minute.
Goalkeeper Kyle Reynish recorded The Foxes' first-ever clean sheet, collecting seven saves, including a massive stop in stoppage time on a shot from Sounders 2's Shandon Hopeau. Hopeau nearly answered at the 85th minute on a long-range effort that hit off the crossbar.
It was a thriller from the opening whistle, with 18-year-old midfielder Noah Verhoeven nearly putting Fresno ahead at the 11th minute. His perfectly timed run beat the back line on Christian Chaney's through ball, but his left-footed shot banged off the crossbar.
Sounders 2 had their best chance of the night in the first half, when Felix Chenkam broke free for a 1-v-1 against Reynish, but the 19-year-old from Cameroon saw his shot miss just left of the post.
The Foxes outshot Sounders 2 16-13, coming closest in the second half at minute 78 when captain Juan Pablo Caffa flicked a header forcing a low diving save by S2 goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.
Chaney, the Fresno native and former Fresno Fuego star forward made his first professional start for Fresno FC.
Los Zorros return to Fresno for the rest of Week 3, hosting OKC Energy FC on Saturday, March 31st at Chukchansi Park. Kickoff is set for 7pm. Tickets are available online at tickets.fresnofc.com or at the Chukchansi Park Box Office.
EL MEXICANO MAN OF THE MATCH: JEMAL JOHNSON, LM
Johnson scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute and had a team-high four shots for Los Zorros.
SCORING:
82' - FRS - Jemal Johnson
#SEAvFRS: Full Match and Opta Box Score | #SEAvFRS: Match Highlights | #SEAvFRS: Announcer's call of Jemal Johnson's game winner
NEXT UP:
Fresno FC vs. OKC Energy FC | Saturday, March 31, 2018 | Chukchansi Park | 7 p.m. Kickoff
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 29, 2018
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- Foxes Beat Sounders 2 for First Win in Franchise History - Fresno FC
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