Greenville, SC – In a thrilling matchup at Paladin Stadium, Central Valley Fuego FC showcased heart and resilience, battling Greenville Triumph SC to a 2-2 draw in a match that tested the limits of both teams.
Fuego came out firing early, with Alfredo Midence finding the back of the net in the 21st minute, courtesy of a precise assist from Ashkanov Apollon. The early goal seemed to put Fuego in the driver’s seat, silencing the home crowd and showing the visitors’ intent to dominate. Midence, however, quickly found himself in the referee’s book, receiving a yellow card just minutes later for not retreating. His tenacity set the tone for an intense first half, with both Clayton Torr and Apollon picking up yellow cards as well, as Fuego fought fiercely to maintain their lead.
Despite their aggressive tactics, Fuego held their own and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, fully deserving of the advantage. The second half saw Greenville claw their way back into the game, equalizing in the 62nd minute through a penalty kick converted by Lyam MacKinnon.
But Fuego wasn’t about to let the game slip. Just when Greenville thought they had the momentum, Shavon John-Brown delivered a clutch strike in the 81st minute, restoring Fuego’s lead with a brilliant assist from Omar Lemus. It looked like Fuego would leave with all three points, but fate had other plans. An unfortunate own goal by Deshawon Nembhard just two minutes later gifted Greenville a lifeline and leveled the score once again.
Despite Fuego’s efforts to regain control, with late substitutions and a defensive stand, Greenville held on, and the match ended 2-2. It was a frustrating result for Fuego, who felt they were in control for much of the contest.
Shavon John-Brown, reflecting on the match, said, “We dug deep… the guys showed pride tonight and that’s all we were asking for.” Coach Mike Elias echoed the sentiment, praising his team’s character and resilience, especially after a tough midweek loss.
Fuego’s defensive line worked tirelessly, but it was a late mistake that proved costly. Goalkeeper Carlos Avilez summed it up best: “We were up again and unfortunately just made a silly mistake… ended up giving up the three points we had in our hand.”
While the result may feel like a missed opportunity, Fuego once again demonstrated their quality, proving they can go toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the league. Their fiery spirit remains intact, and it’s only a matter of time before they turn these valiant performances into victories.
About Central Valley Fuego FC:
Established in 2002, Central Valley Fuego FC is the region’s sole professional soccer club. Competing in USL League One, the club made its professional debut in April 2022. In 2024, all home matches will be hosted at Fresno State Soccer Stadium. Central Valley Fuego FC is dedicated to uniting the community through the love of soccer. For more information, visit www.fuegofc.com
