Fuego FC is proud to announce that the club has officially submitted both its Men's and Women's Beach Soccer teams for participation in the Americas Winners Cup Costa Rica 2026, one of the premier club beach soccer competitions in the Americas.
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The tournament will take place from December 13-19, 2026, in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, bringing together leading beach soccer clubs from across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean for a week of international competition on the Pacific coast.
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The 2026 edition will mark Fuego FC's second appearance in the competition after making its international debut at the 2025 Americas Winners Cup in El Salvador. Competing against some of the top beach soccer clubs in the region, Fuego FC reached the quarterfinals in its first-ever appearance and established itself as a competitive presence on the international stage.
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Building on that experience, Fuego FC now returns with even greater ambitions.
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The club will once again field a men's team while also making history with the introduction of its first-ever Women's Beach Soccer team, which is expected to make its international debut in Costa Rica.
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The addition of a women's side reflects the continued growth of the Fuego FC Beach Soccer program and the club's commitment to creating opportunities for athletes across multiple areas of the game while representing the Central Valley beyond the United States.
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Hosted by Beach Soccer Worldwide in partnership with local organizers in Costa Rica, the Americas Winners Cup has become the leading club competition for beach soccer across the region and regularly features some of the strongest clubs and players in the Americas.
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After a quarterfinal run in El Salvador, Fuego FC now sets its sights on Costa Rica as the club prepares for another opportunity to compete against the best beach soccer clubs in the Americas.

Fuego FC to Compete in the Americas Winners Cup Costa Rica 2026

Fuego FC is proud to announce a new partnership with Valley Children's Healthcare, further strengthening our commitment to serving players, families, and communities throughout the Central Valley.\n\n

This partnership represents an important step in the continued growth of our organization and our mission to create opportunities through the sport of soccer. With the support of Valley Children's, Fuego FC will continue expanding programs and initiatives that positively impact athletes both on and off the field.\n\n

As Fuego FC continues to grow across youth, amateur, women's, and community programming, partnerships such as this provide additional resources to invest in youth development, community engagement, and the long-term growth of the game throughout our region.\n\n

Both organizations share a commitment to supporting the next generation and creating environments where young people can thrive. Through this partnership, Fuego FC and Valley Children's look forward to working together to make a meaningful impact across the Central Valley.\n\n

We are excited to officially welcome Valley Children's to the Fuego family and look forward to supporting one another throughout this partnership.

Fuego FC Announces Partnership with Valley Children’s

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a 100% member-owned organization, is proud to announce that Central Valley Fuego Fútbol Club has joined the league. The club has already joined the league as a member and will begin play in the 2027 season.\n\n

“Fuego FC is an incredible addition to our league,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “Along with their success on the field, the Fuego FC management team is aligned with the business philosophy of the NPSL with regards to club ownership and member-driven governance.  We welcome them to the league as a competitive team and a strong business partner.”\n\n

The team is led by Club President Brian Easler, Co-Founder Alfredo Guzman, Managing Partner Angel Ruelas, and General Manager Juan Gerardo Ruelas Jr.\n\n

Easler joined Fuego FC in 2025, bringing extensive experience in business development, sales, strategic partnerships, technology, beach soccer, and sports program development. His focus on sustainable growth, revenue generation, and expanding opportunities throughout the Central Valley has made him a driving force behind the club’s long-term vision and continued evolution.\n\n

“We chose to join the NPSL because we believe the league is moving in a direction that aligns with what we have been looking for since we first began this journey in 2019: a league built for its clubs,” Easler said. “For us, this was never just about finding a place to play games.  It was about finding a group of like-minded clubs that believe in building something together, sharing in the upside of that growth, and creating a structure where clubs are not just participants, but real stakeholders in the future of the league.”\n\n

Guzman, known throughout the community as the “Godfather of Fuego,” is one of the founding figures behind Central Valley Fuego FC.  More than two decades ago, Guzman helped lay the foundation for what the club would become, and he continues to play an important role in its growth, direction, and connection to the local soccer community.\n\n

Angel Ruelas is a local real estate investor, developer, and former professional soccer player. Having played under USMNT legend Jermaine Jones, Angel brings a player’s perspective, competitive mentality, and deep understanding of the game to the club’s leadership group.  In his current role, Angel oversees the day-to-day management of the club on behalf of the Ruelas family, helping guide operations, player-facing decisions, and the continued development of the club’s vision.\n\n

Juan Gerardo Ruelas Jr. previously served as the club’s Managing Partner during its professional era.  A software engineer, real estate investor, and strategic operator, Juan has played a key role in shaping the club’s long-term infrastructure vision. He has been directly involved in the club’s major asset acquisitions, facility planning, and organizational development, while also helping recruit and build out key leadership positions across the club.\n\n

Founded in 2002, Fresno Fuego began as a PDL club and quickly established itself as one of the region’s most recognizable soccer brands.  Through strong performances in the U.S. Open Cup, the club earned opportunities to compete against some of the nation’s top teams.  In 2022, Fuego entered the professional ranks at the USSF third-division level, marking a major milestone in the club’s evolution.\n\n

During its professional era, the club competed for multiple seasons and was led at different points by respected figures in American soccer, including Martin Vasquez and Jermaine Jones.  Following that chapter, the organization restructured with a broader long-term vision: to become a comprehensive sports and development ecosystem for the Central Valley. Today, Fuego operates U-23, U-19, U-15, women’s, beach soccer, youth soccer, and pro-am basketball programs, all designed to create meaningful opportunities for athletes throughout the region. The club’s philosophy is rooted in player development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.  Fuego’s mission extends beyond fielding teams; it is about building infrastructure, creating pathways, and developing a sports ecosystem that can serve players, families, and communities across the Central Valley for generations to come.\n\n

“The NPSL has credibility, history, and strong competition, but what excites us most is the opportunity to be part of a league that can grow with its clubs, not just around them,” Easler said. “For Fuego FC this represents more than a league move.  It represents an opportunity to help build the type of soccer ecosystem we have believed in for years.”\n\n

Fuego FC Joins The NPSL

Following a successful inaugural campaign in 2025 that culminated in a championship, Fuego Basketball is preparing for another exciting season in the Fresno Pro-Am League.\n\n

The club will return with a strong core of players from last year's championship-winning roster while also adding several new faces to strengthen the squad. The combination of returning experience and fresh talent gives the team confidence as it pursues back-to-back titles in 2026.\n\n

Since launching the basketball program, Fuego's objective has been about more than simply competing on the court. The program was created as part of the organization's broader vision to build a multi-sport ecosystem that creates opportunities for athletes, engages the community, and expands the Fuego brand throughout the Central Valley.\n\n

As the organization continues to grow, basketball has become an important piece of that vision. The club remains committed to investing in quality programming, creating competitive opportunities for local athletes, and establishing a culture that reflects the standards Fuego has built across its various sports initiatives.\n\n

The Fresno Pro-Am continues to serve as one of the region's premier summer basketball competitions, bringing together talented players from diverse backgrounds, including former collegiate athletes, current college players, and experienced local talent. Fuego Basketball is excited to once again be part of that environment and compete at a high level.\n\n

With preparations already underway, the team is focused on building chemistry, integrating new additions, and positioning itself for another championship run.\n\n

Stay tuned for player announcements, roster updates, and the official 2026 schedule as Fuego Basketball prepares to take the court once again.

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Latest News

Fuego FC to Compete in the Americas Winners Cup Costa Rica 2026

Fuego FC Announces Partnership with Valley Children’s

Fuego FC Joins The NPSL

Fuego Basketball Returns for the 2026 Fresno Pro-Am Season

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Fuego FC - Professional Soccer Club in Fresno, California

2026MembershipsAvailable Now

Latest News

Fuego FC to Compete in the Americas Winners Cup Costa Rica 2026

Fuego FC Announces Partnership with Valley Children’s

Fuego FC Joins The NPSL

Fuego Basketball Returns for the 2026 Fresno Pro-Am Season

Iconic Moments

Our Partners