Here come the Foxes! Fresno Football Club tests out new home
Professional soccer has taken its first steps in Fresno – literally.
The Fresno Football Club held its first training session on Wednesday morning at Chukchansi Park, with players suited up and running drills on the pitch in preparation for the 2018 United Soccer League season.
The USL is the second division of American soccer, below top-tier Major League Soccer. FFC is affiliated with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS.
Coach Adam Smith’s inaugural roster includes 2017 All-USL selection Juan Pablo Caffa, former English Premier League winger Jemal Johnson, and Fresno Fuego alumni in Christian Chaney, Jose “Chiva” Cuevas, Agustin Rey and Renato Bustamante.
“It’s a whole different level now,” Smith said. “This is these guys’ careers, this is their living, this is their livelihood, it’s the staff’s livelihood, and we’re going to be judged on doing well.”
The USL season runs March to October and the Foxes (aka Los Zorros) open their 34-match schedule with back-to-back games at Chukchansi Park: March 17 against Las Vegas Lights FC and March 24 against LA Galaxy II.
“We’re determined to be more than just a rookie franchise in the USL,” club owner Ray Beshoff said. “We want the Foxes to be one of the best football clubs this country has seen, from the talent on the field to the culture in the stands.”
2018 Fresno Football Club schedule
March 17 | FFC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC | Chukchansi Park |
March 24 | FFC vs. LA Galaxy II | Chukchansi Park |
March 28 | FFC at Seattle Sounders 2 | Cheney Stadium |
March 31 | FFC vs. OKC Energy FC | Chukchansi Park |
April 7 | FFC at Saint Louis FC | Toyota Stadium |
April 18 | FFC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Chukchansi Park |
April 22 | FFC vs. San Antonio FC | Chukchansi Park |
April 28 | FFC at Phoenix Rising FC | Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex |
May 5 | FFC at San Antonio FC | Toyota Field |
May 9 | FFC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | Chukchansi Park |
May 12 | FFC at Real Monarchs SLC | Rio Tinto Stadium |
May 26 | FFC at Orange County SC | Champions Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park |
June 2 | FFC vs. Seattle Sounders 2 | Chukchansi Park |
June 9 | FFC at Reno 1868 FC | Greater Nevada Field |
June 13 | FFC vs. Sacramento Republic FC | Chukchansi Park |
June 17 | FFC vs. Swope Park Rangers | Chukchansi Park |
June 23 | FFC at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Weidner Field |
June 26 | FFC at Real Monarchs SLC | Rio Tinto Stadium |
June 30 | FFC vs. Sacramento Republic FC | Chukchansi Park |
July 8 | FFC at Portland Timbers 2 | Providence Park |
July 14 | FFC vs. Phoenix Rising FC | Chukchansi Park |
July 25 | FFC at OKC Energy FC | Taft Stadium |
July 28 | FFC at Tulsa Roughnecks FC | ONEOK Field |
Aug. 4 | FFC at Sacramento Republic FC | Papa Murphy's Park |
Aug. 9 | FFC at LA Galaxy II | StubHub Center - Track & Field Stadium |
Aug. 18 | FFC vs. Saint Louis FC | Chukchansi Park |
Aug. 25 | FFC at Las Vegas Lights FC | Cashman Field |
Sept. 1 | FFC vs. Reno 1868 FC | Chukchansi Park |
Sept. 9 | FFC at Swope Park Rangers | Children's Mercy Victory Field |
Sept. 16 | FFC vs. Orange County SC | Chukchansi Park |
Sept. 22 | FFC vs. Portland Timbers 2 | Chukchansi Park |
Sept. 29 | FFC at Rio Grande Valley FC Toros | H-E-B Park |
Oct. 5 | FFC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Chukchansi Park |
Oct. 13 | FFC vs. Real Monarchs SLC | Chukchansi Park |
This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 2:42 PM.