The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a 100% member-owned organization, is proud to announce that Central Valley Fuego Fútbol Club has joined the league. The club has already joined the league as a member and will begin play in the 2027 season.
“Fuego FC is an incredible addition to our league,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “Along with their success on the field, the Fuego FC management team is aligned with the business philosophy of the NPSL with regards to club ownership and member-driven governance. We welcome them to the league as a competitive team and a strong business partner.”
The team is led by Club President Brian Easler, Co-Founder Alfredo Guzman, Managing Partner Angel Ruelas, and General Manager Juan Gerardo Ruelas Jr.
Easler joined Fuego FC in 2025, bringing extensive experience in business development, sales, strategic partnerships, technology, beach soccer, and sports program development. His focus on sustainable growth, revenue generation, and expanding opportunities throughout the Central Valley has made him a driving force behind the club’s long-term vision and continued evolution.
“We chose to join the NPSL because we believe the league is moving in a direction that aligns with what we have been looking for since we first began this journey in 2019: a league built for its clubs,” Easler said. “For us, this was never just about finding a place to play games. It was about finding a group of like-minded clubs that believe in building something together, sharing in the upside of that growth, and creating a structure where clubs are not just participants, but real stakeholders in the future of the league.”
Guzman, known throughout the community as the “Godfather of Fuego,” is one of the founding figures behind Central Valley Fuego FC. More than two decades ago, Guzman helped lay the foundation for what the club would become, and he continues to play an important role in its growth, direction, and connection to the local soccer community.
Angel Ruelas is a local real estate investor, developer, and former professional soccer player. Having played under USMNT legend Jermaine Jones, Angel brings a player’s perspective, competitive mentality, and deep understanding of the game to the club’s leadership group. In his current role, Angel oversees the day-to-day management of the club on behalf of the Ruelas family, helping guide operations, player-facing decisions, and the continued development of the club’s vision.
Juan Gerardo Ruelas Jr. previously served as the club’s Managing Partner during its professional era. A software engineer, real estate investor, and strategic operator, Juan has played a key role in shaping the club’s long-term infrastructure vision. He has been directly involved in the club’s major asset acquisitions, facility planning, and organizational development, while also helping recruit and build out key leadership positions across the club.
Founded in 2002, Fresno Fuego began as a PDL club and quickly established itself as one of the region’s most recognizable soccer brands. Through strong performances in the U.S. Open Cup, the club earned opportunities to compete against some of the nation’s top teams. In 2022, Fuego entered the professional ranks at the USSF third-division level, marking a major milestone in the club’s evolution.
During its professional era, the club competed for multiple seasons and was led at different points by respected figures in American soccer, including Martin Vasquez and Jermaine Jones. Following that chapter, the organization restructured with a broader long-term vision: to become a comprehensive sports and development ecosystem for the Central Valley. Today, Fuego operates U-23, U-19, U-15, women’s, beach soccer, youth soccer, and pro-am basketball programs, all designed to create meaningful opportunities for athletes throughout the region. The club’s philosophy is rooted in player development, community engagement, and sustainable growth. Fuego’s mission extends beyond fielding teams; it is about building infrastructure, creating pathways, and developing a sports ecosystem that can serve players, families, and communities across the Central Valley for generations to come.
“The NPSL has credibility, history, and strong competition, but what excites us most is the opportunity to be part of a league that can grow with its clubs, not just around them,” Easler said. “For Fuego FC this represents more than a league move. It represents an opportunity to help build the type of soccer ecosystem we have believed in for years.”