Soccer: Fresno Fuego announce exhibition vs. Sacramento Republic FC

The Fresno Fuego announced the return of the “Highway 99 Derby,” with Sacramento Republic FC set to march into Chukchansi Park on March 3 for what is now an annual exhibition.

Last year’s inaugural match ended in a 2-2 draw. Fresno also lost 6-0 in Sacramento in the third round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Tickets for the exhibition go on sale at 9 a.m. Jan. 12 and can be purchased at bit.ly/FuegoRepublic or the Chukchansi Park box office.

General admission starts at $10, lower reserve is $14 and Phoenix Club costs $21. Season-ticket holders will receive tickets to the exhibition as part of their package.

The exhibition against Republic FC, the 2014 USL champion, is the last of three on the Fuego’s preseason schedule. Fresno, a Premier Development League club, will host Armenian Premier League side FC Ararat Yerevan on Feb. 18 and the defending North American Soccer League champion New York Cosmos on Feb. 24.

All games will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m.

“We are delighted to bring an additional game to downtown Fresno and will play for the honor of our city and club,” general manager and part-owner Jeremy Schultz said. “With our own Fire Squad Fresno and Republic’s Tower Bridge Battalion supporters groups involved, there is sure to be an electric atmosphere inside Chukchansi Park.

“We’re extremely excited to measure ourselves in all aspects of competition against a tremendously talented Sacramento club that is on the brink of becoming the next Major League Soccer franchise.”

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Soccer: Fresno Fuego announce exhibition vs. Sacramento Republic FC."