The Fusion midfield will be boosted by the return of captain Andy Rose, the UCLA central midfielder who had four goals and three assists in six matches before leaving to train with the Chicago Fire and Hammarby of Sweden. He also missed last summer's playoff loss to Kitsap on penalty kicks.

"He'd be a nice addition," said Mikkelsen.

Rose sits in nicely to the position vacated by former Danish youth international Michael Jensen, who suffered an apparent season-ending ankle injury over the weekend.

"He's been a consistent fixture on the team," said Mikklesen of the former Aalborg defender. "He certainly will be missed."