WHEN 

Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET)

WHERE

Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif.

FOLLOW

NYCosmos.com and @NYCosmos_Match on Twitter for live updates

Follow @NYCosmos_Match

COSMOS NOTES

It was a winning start to #CosmosinCali this past Saturday night, as New York triumphed 2-0 over Armenian top-flight side FC Ararat Yerevan at Citrus College Stadium in Glendora. Cosmos midfielder Sebastián Guenzatti starred, dishing out an assist to Lucky Mkosana in the first half and scoring a goal of his own in the 69^th minute. Venezuela national team legend Juan Arango also showcased his acclaimed left foot, putting a pair of 35-yard free kicks on frame and forcing another outstretched save from Ararat goalkeeper Gevorg Prazyan in the second minute of the match.

Head coach Giovanni Savarese was keen to deploy just about everyone on his bench Saturday night, giving minutes to substitutes Yohandry Orozco, Jairo Arrieta, David Diosa, Michael Lahoud, Kyle Zobeck, Eric Calvillo, Alexis Velela and club training guest Niko Kranjčar. Expect a similar wave of fresh legs – and perhaps a retooled starting XI – Wednesday night at Chukchansi Park. The Cosmos coaching staff will want to give everyone a shot at playing time in preseason, helping the team gel on the field before league play begins April 3. Even the latest addition to the squad, Bolivia international striker Yasmani Duk, has joined his new teammates in California and is available for selection.

ABOUT FRESNO FUEGO

Founded in 2003, Fresno Fuego FC is an amateur soccer team that competes in the Premier Development League (PDL), playing its home matches at Chukchansi Park. In their 13 seasons of existence, the Fuego have amassed four division titles (2003, 2007, 2011, 2013) in addition to a fourth round appearance in the 2003 U.S. Open Cup.

The club’s most successful campaign to date came five years ago. In 2011 the Fuego finished their season with an unblemished 13-3-0 (W-D-L) record, topping the Southwest Division of the PDL’s Western Conference. 2015 saw Fresno finish third in their division at 6-3-5, behind the Burlingame Dragons and 2015 Cosmos preseason opponent Ventura County Fusion.

Chukchansi Park played host to a preseason exhibition between Ararat Yerevan and Fresno Fuego this past Thursday night, with the Armenian visitors scratching out a 1-0 win thanks to Davit Hovsepyan's goal three minutes before halftime. 

Notable Fuego alumni include a pair of familiar faces now in the NASL: Miami FC forward Pablo Campos and Jacksonville Armada FC defender Beto Navarro. For a look at the 2016 prospective roster, go here.