Paul Islas, Alex Caceres could leave Fresno Fuego

By DANIEL CASAREZ

(Published Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 10:04AM)

FRESNO Fresno Fuego players Paul Islas and Alex Caceres may be switching jerseys next season.

The Fuego ended the Premier Development League season with a 3-1 win over visiting Orange County Blue Star last Saturday. Fresno finished the season with a 8-5-3 record.

Despite talk of rebuilding and returning players for next season, players like forward Islas and midfielder Caceres could make a move to the professional ranks.

"I have the option to go to Atlanta or the Puerto Rico Islanders," said Caceres, 25, who helped Cal FC defeat. "I'm going to Colombia in a few weeks; I have tryouts there too."

Caceres will work out with several professional teams in Central América.

Head coach Scott Alcorn believes Islas, the team's leading scorer, will likely earn a professional contract.

Islas is working on a tryout with the San José Earthquakes.

"Yeah, hopefully over there," said Islas, who has one year eligibility remaining on the men's soccer team at Fresno Pacific University.

"It's going to be something I will talk to my family. I take my education seriously, but there's a lot of factors. It's always been my dream to play professional soccer."

Despite finishing in third place and out of the playoffs, Alcorn believes the Fuego ended well.

"It was about what I expected (this season)," he said, "We only had two starters from last season: Gaston Cignetti and Emmanuel Ochoa. To rebuild with nine new players, that doesn't come overnight."

Alcorn cited names like Pablo Campos, Milton Blanco, Alberto Navarro to the professional contracts.

"Every year we're supposed to do: Play quality soccer and send players on."

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