The Fresno Fuego won the Southwest Division of the Western Conference Saturday, July 21st, with a well played 3-1 win over the San Francisco Seals. 

The Seals opened the first half with the ball, and immediately drove down the field with good possession and took the opening shot.  It looked like things were going to go well here for the Seals.  Unfortunately that was one of only two shots the Seals had in the first half.

Despite terrific play throughout the game by Seals keeper Eric Conner, and Rawley Masaniai in the midfield, the Seals were unable to stop the combination play of the Fuego.  Despite the lack of shot opportunities generated by the Seals, the defense seemed to hold well until the 25th minute when Pablo Campos, leading the PDL in points and goals scored was tripped up just inside the box by Shani Simpson who was playing right defender as a result of last weeks red card to Rich Halvorsen.  Campos slotted the PK home for the first goal of the match.

 

Conner had made two sensational stops in the first twenty minutes.  One nearly point blank rip was somehow held by Conner as he stretched for the ball, and again in the 20th minute Conner had another great moment.  With the ball at the 24 yard line nearly directly facing the goal as a result of a foul, Fuego defender Gaston Cignetti came up to take the kick.  The referee blew the whistle and Cignetti curled a perfect shot around the wall.  Diving to his left and in a near horizontal stretch, Conner caught the ball and held on as his body hit the turf.  The crowd went wild with appreciation!

 

Massaniai was constant presence in the middle, as he stole the ball from the Fuego, intercepted passes, and ran attackers off the endline throughout the match.  "I'm really disappointed they get to celebrate their win on our field" said Massaniai, "but they did deserve it."

 

The Fuego had 8 shots in the first half, forcing Conner to make four saves.  But it took another thirty minutes for the Fuego to find the net again, and this one was again from Campos.  Picking up a deflection off a Seals player, Campos struck from the left side as he came in with pace, and put the perfect ball into the far side of the net.

 

Campos wasn't done yet, as fifteen minutes later he fed a solid pass to forward Amaury Nunes, who provided the insurance goal for the Fuego.

 

Despite a 3-0 deficit, the Seals never slackened in their play.  Far from it.  The intensity picked up, and their combinations became more frequent as they dropped the long ball for more combinations to break down the Fuego.  Youth player Victor Cortez (17 years old), had an outstanding match playing at left back for the Seals.  His runs and passes were sharp and threatening, while giving the Fuego very few opportunities to attack the net from his side. 

 

The Seals goal came in the 79th minute as James Bent, who played tough as well throughout the game slotted the ball past the keeper. 

 

The energy never stopped or slackened from the Seals, but today was the Fuego's day.  No other team this year scored as many goals against the Seals, whose defense had the second lowest goals against record in the Conference.  Of the 21 goals allowed this season through the Fuego match, 4 were on PK's with the Fuego alone, and another 3 were PK's in other matches. 

 

The Seals close the 2007 season as the host the San Jose Frogs today at USF Negoesco Stadium starting at 4:00pm.  A half-time ceremony will recognize Seals player Ben Gucciardi for his outstanding service to youth through his non-profit organization, Soccer Without Boarders.  A barbecue will be held at the end of the match with proceeds from donations to benefit Soccer Without Boarders.

---