Fuego cruise by OC Blues 4-1

It was an emotional Thursday night at Chukchansi Park, as the Fresno Fuego jumped to a three-goal lead in the first half and cruised to a 4-1 win over the Orange County Blues U-23.

Before and after his penultimate match of the season in the Premier Development League, Fuego coach Scott Alcorn addressed his players with heartfelt speeches. Alcorn earlier had announced he will step down after nine seasons in charge.

In return, his players gave him a dominant performance on the field.

Renato Bustamante opened the scoring in the 11th minute on an pass from Luis Najera. It was Bustamante’s team-high seventh goal of the season and he followed it with an epic celebration, toppling his teammates one-by-one with over-exaggerated fake slaps.

Najera added a goal of his own in the 29th and Alvaro Nogales made it 3-0 10 minutes later via a Bustamante assist.

Bustamante and Najera led Fuego (6-4-3) with one goal and one assist apiece.

The Blues (2-8-1) broke the shutout on Julian Okai’s 79th-minute goal.

“It's an honor for us to play for (Alcorn),” Bustamante said. “He got very emotional before and after the game, and the least we can do is put on a show for him.”

A number of younger Fuego players saw playing time — including Najera who shined in his fourth start at midfield this year — as the club is now playing for pride. Fuego’s Arnaldo Cipriano got his first goal this season in stoppage time and goalkeeper Clint Long debuted to start the second half, replacing starter Matias Fernandez.

Fresno will finish in third place of the Southwest Division and miss the playoffs for the second year in a row as Ventura County Fusion and Burlingame FC clinched the top two spots earlier this week.

Nonetheless, the young squad’s dominant performance left Alcorn choked up after he was left soaking from a suprise Gatorade bath.

“We got some kids in that,” Alcorn said before his voice trailed off. “That was a good result … I’m happy for them, really.”

Fresno hosts FC Tucson on July 11 in its season finale at 7:30 p.m., which will also include a proper sendoff for Alcorn.

This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 1:16 AM with the headline "Fuego cruise by OC Blues 4-1."