The Ventura County Fusion's aspirations on and off the field don't always march in lockstep.

The latest example came Thursday, when the Orlando City Soccer Club announced it had signed the Fusion's midfield maestro, Rodrigo Lopez, to a professional contract.

Lopez left immediately to join the Lions for its next match in the United Soccer League's Professional Division, which came Friday against the Los Angeles Blues at Cal State Fullerton.

"It's a good opportunity for him and we're delighted for him," Fusion general manager Ranbir Shergill said. "It makes it tougher going into the playoffs, losing a quality player like Roro... but things should be OK."

Lopez, the former Santa Barbara High, Chivas USA and Portland Timbers midfielder, earned postseason MVP honors by guiding the Fusion to the 2009 Premier Development League continental title.

He returned for his third tenure with the club this season, picking up a goal and three assists in 11 matches playing a deep-lying playmaking role for the Southwest Division-leading Fusion (10-2-2).

The Fusion expected to lose Lopez at some point this season. Team president Graham Smith memorably proclaimed the midfielder belonged in Major League Soccer ahead of the Fusion's U.S. Open Cup match with Chivas USA. But it doesn't soften the blow of losing the team's fulcrum.

"We're very happy to see him move on and we expect him to be successful wherever he goes," said Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen. "Hopefully, this is the move that ultimately lands him in the MLS, which is where we think he belongs.

"We've been extremely fortunate to have him up until now. While we promote a squad approach and we expect to lose players throughout the season, obviously losing someone of Roro's caliber is more difficult to take."

The Fusion, who also lost Calabasas High graduate Daniel Steres to the Seattle Sounders last month, don't expect many more defections. Although Danny Barrera, the Fusion's all-time leading goalscorer and playmaker, is expected to join his Cal FC coach, Eric Wynalda, with the Atlanta Silverbacks.

"I won't think there will be too much more movements," Shergill said. "Danny might be the only one."

Wynalda, Westlake High product like Barrera, took over as interim coach of the NASL club last week and is expected to bring in several of the stars of Cal FC's run to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Barrera did not immediately return a phone message. Wynalda said at least two of his Cal FC players would join him in Atlanta, but that figure could rise to "possibly" seven.

With the Fusion losing its creative core just two weeks before the Western Conference playoffs, Mikkelsen may turn to Jamiel Hardware as Lopez's potential replacement in midfield.

The Jamaican midfielder, who has played for Boys Town FC and Jefferson College, has a goal and two assists in nine matches, although he's only started a handful of matches.

"Jamiel is a very talented individual," Mikkelsen said. "He's played alongside Roro and watched him as an understudy. You would hope that he would step into that role and be able to emulate some of the things he was doing for us."

Despite the 1-0 loss to Fresno that snapped its 11-game unbeaten streak and 18-game home unbeaten streak, the Fusion clinched its fourth straight postseason berth late Wednesday when Ogden lost 3-1 at BYU.

Ventura County will clinch its second Southwest Division title with FC Tucson's next lost, which could come this weekend.

It looks like the Fusion could use a relaxed week entering the final week of regular season play. It will be monitoring injuries to winger Kennedy Chongo, striker Gyasi Zardes and striker Travis Bowen.

Chongo has not played since suffering a dead leg in the 4-0 win over Orange County June 27. Bowen hasn't played since suffering a groin strain in the first half of the 2-0 win at FC Tucson June 30.

Zardes suffered a dead leg in the second half of Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Fresno, which broke the Fusion's 11-game unbeaten streak and 19-game home unbeaten streak.

"I took a nasty hit," said Zardes. "Right now, I'm just rehabbing it. I'm going through a bit of pain."

All three are in doubt for the final two regular season matches, Wednesday at Pali Blues and Friday at home against BYU Cougars.

The Ventura County Fusion regained first place in the Premier Development League's Southwest Division Wednesday by winning 5-1 at the Southern California Seahorses.

The Fusion (5-1-1) has won five straight PDL matches by an average margin of more than three goals per game.

"We've have a run of good scoring games," Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen said.
With 16 points from seven matches, it holds a slender lead over FC Tucson (15 points, six matches) and Orange County Blue Star (14 points, eight matches).

That means tonight's trip to face the Blue Star at Concordia University in Irvine is a key match.

"It should be a tough game and the start time (5 p.m.) offers a few challenges," said Mikkelsen.

The Fusion was without many of its college stars Wednesday because of finals.

"It's really a critical time for their education," Mikkelsen said. "I do believe we'll have some of them available (tonight), not sure which ones yet."

Given the opportunity, several players made a case for more playing time.

"We had a lot of guys step up and played well," Mikkelsen said. "It's a testament to the depth of the squad and our ability to play different players every game, but still manage a good team outcome."

Bruising forward Chris Tsonis had a goal and an assist. Skillful attackers Tochukwu Nwankwo and Jamiel Hardward also scored fine individual goals.

"(Nwankwo) stepped right up and calmly bent the ball over the wall and into the goal," said Mikkelsen of the Nigerian's free kick. "It was almost comical how simple he made it look.

"Jamiel came in and really was electric at times when he was on the ball."

Introductions to new players and new combinations are always part of the excitement of any season.

For the Ventura County Fusion, who open its sixth Premier Development League campaign tonight at Ventura College against the Los Angeles Misioneros, excitement is always heightened by the team-building process.

The PDL season annually overlaps with spring practice for NCAA Division I programs, which leaves the Fusion without a chunk of its college-based players for a week or two.

"As you know, the team hasn't fully assembled yet," Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen. "It's the same challenge at the beginning of the year, you're not quit fully rostered yet

The Fusion will return a core of goalkeeper Sam Hayden, defenders Mickey Daly and Matt Wiet, who played all 24 matches for nationals semifinalist UCLA last fall, and forward Gyasi Zardes, the All-American striker who scored 18 goals in 20 matches for Cal State Bakersfield last fall.

"Those guys have already made their mark on our team in previous seasons," said Mikkelsen.

Zardes, perhaps the most exciting player the Fusion have had in its history, is expected to join the Fusion next week along with Cal State Bakersfield teammate and former Ventura High star Kory Kindle.

"He probably has the most raw talent of any individual I've been involved with in the PDL," said Mikkelsen of Zardes.

Fringe players a year ago, former Oxnard College midfielder Ivan Mirkovic and Bradley University striker Jochen Graf return with more responsibility.

"He started to step it up as we hit our exhibitions last year," said Mikkelsen of Mirkovic, "and I expect him to be a main cog of the team this year."

Other familiar faces who have a chance to make an impact tonight include former Oxnard College stars Gabriel Gonzalez and Emigdio Ramirez, as well as veterans Armando Guerrero and Brent Whitfield.

The backline will be boosted by newcomers like UC Santa Barbara defenders Tim Pontius, the younger brother of DC United star Chris Pontius, and Peter McGlynn and UCLA goalie Earl Edwards.

Midfielder Frankie Lopez, expected to be the next creative midfielder from the Rodrigo Lopez/Danny Barrera mold, is awaiting clearance from the Mexico federation after a spell with Jaguares de Chiapas.

The Fusion are also expecting to add Rio Mesa High graduate Michael Roman, who starred in the NCAA tournament for Louisville, later this month.

"We're looking forward to his return," said Mikkelsen of Roman. "He's so confident on the ball, he looks almost effortless. He's a very smooth player."

Having qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the third straight
season, the Fusion will face NPSL club Fullerton Rangers May 15 at the
Santa Ana Bowl in the first round.

Rangers earned the berth by topping Hasental 2-1 in a qualifier March
27, so the two local sides in U.S. Soccer's fourth tier could have
been matched up against each other.

United Soccer Leagues released the 2012 Premier Development League alignment and schedule Thursday.

The Ventura County Fusion remain in the Western Conference's Southwest Division, along with the Fresno Fuego, the Orange County Blue Star, the Southern California Seahorses, the Pali Blues (formerly the L.A. Blues), the L.A. Misioneros (formerly the L.A. Legends), the two Utah clubs, the Ogden Outlaws and BYU Cougars, as well as a new team in Arizona, F.C. Tucson.

The Fusion will open and close the season at home May 5 and July 13, respectively, at Ventura College It will take its annual weekend trip to Utah June 22-23 and and go to Arizona for the first time June 30. It will host an afternoon game on July 4 for the first time.

It has also already qualified for the first round of the U.S. Open Cup for the third straight season. That match is scheduled for May 15 against an opponent to be determined.

From the PDL release:

"Thirteen new teams have joined the PDL for 2012, including the Austin Aztex, Baltimore Bohemians, Boston Victory, CFC Azul, Chicago Inferno, FC Tucson, Ocala Stampede, Palmetto FC Bantams, Panama City Beach Pirates, Texas Dutch Lions, Southern West Virginia King's Warriors, VSI Tampa Flames and Worcester Hydra.

"The PDL will feature 73 teams in four geographic conferences and nine divisions. The Eastern Conference features three divisions while the Southern, Central and Western Conferences feature two divisions each. PDL clubs will play 16-game schedules in 2012, eight home and eight away. The defending PDL champion Kitsap Pumas open their 2012 campaign on Friday, May 4, when they travel to play the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 at Swangard Stadium."

Ventura County Fusion
2012 Premier Development League schedule
Sat. May 5 L.A. Misioneros, 7 p.m.
Sun. May 13 at L.A. Misioneros, 6 p.m.
Tue. May 15 U.S. Open Cup, first round
Fri. May 18 Ogden Outlaws, 7 p.m.
Sun. May 20 Pali Blues, 3 p.m.
Sat. May 26 SoCal Seahorses, 8 p.m.
Thu. May 31 at Fresno Fuego, 7 p.m.
Wed. June 6 at SoCal Seahorses, 7 p.m.
Fri. June 8 at Orange County Blue Star, 7 p.m.
Sat. June 16 F.C. Tucson, 7 p.m.
Fri. June 22 at BYU Cougars, 7 p.m.
Wed. June 27 Orange County Blue Star, 7 p.m.
Sat. June 30 at F.C. Tucson, 7 p.m.
Wed. July 4 Fresno Fuego, 1 p.m.
Wed. July 11 at Pali Blues, 7 p.m.
Fri. July 13 BYU Cougars, 7 p.m.
Note: All home games at Ventura College

Oxnard College will host a friendly doubleheader Saturday afternoon featuring Major League Soccer teams.

The Chicago Fire, who are preparing for the upcoming season with a local training camp, will face Chivas USA at noon and the Ventura County Fusion at 2 p.m. at the school's track stadium.

The Fusion are unbeaten against MLS opposition this preseason, having beaten Chivas USA 1-0 and drawn 0-0 with the Colorado Rapids.

Admission is free.

The Fire, Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes will all be training locally next week. The Fusion defeated the Fire's Under-23 team to win the 2009 Premier Development League championship.

Highlights of the Ventura County Fusion's 1-0 friendly win last week against Chivas USA:

The Ventura County Fusion soccer club will host Major League Soccer's Chivas USA in a friendly at 10 this morning at Oxnard College Stadium.

The price of admission is free.

The Fusion roster will be a combination of current Fusion players, former Fusion stars and players who have emerged from recent tryouts.

Having been recently drafted by the Los Angeles-based team, former Fusion players Brian Rowe and Daniel Steres are attempting to make the Chivas roster.

Chivas is the first of five MLS teams the Fusion will host at Oxnard College this preseason. The Colorado Rapids arrive Feb. 4, with a friendly scheduled for the next day.

With a postseason place in hand for nearly a month and its focus turned to exhibitions against international opposition in recent weeks, the Ventura County Fusion may not be the sharpest it has been this season.

Which means it has one week, two training sessions and a four-hour drive north to shift into playoff mode for this weekend's Western Conference playoffs.

"The boys have been in a pretty relaxed mode because we qualified so early," said Fusion general manager Ranbir Shergill. "Now we're going to have to flip the switch and realize that the season is over if we lose."

The Fusion (10-0-6) face the Kitsap Pumas (12-1-3), the Northwest Division champion, in the conference semifinals Saturday morning at Chukchansi Park in Fresno.

Host Fresno Fuego (13-0-3) and Victoria Highlanders (9-4-3) follow at 12:30 p.m. The two winners meet Sunday at 12:30 p.m. for the Western Conference title and a place in the Premier Development League Final Four.

"I think that these guys are experienced enough and seasoned enough to realize what is at stake," said Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen. "They realize that they're now in the playoffs... They understand that winning a championship really does set you apart

"The key is going to be getting them playing the way we were playing earlier in the year."

Fusion assistant coach Bob McNabb, the former Arsenal great, has reminded Mikkelsen that the players pick themselves by their performances.

Nevertheless, with a deep squad full of contributors over the 16-game season, Mikkelsen will have some decisions to make this weekend. The Fusion had 39 different players suit up this summer, including 27 who played more than three games.

"Some thought goes into formations and who plays well together," said Mikkelsen. "You try and pick the team with some hope that the players have familiarity with each other.

"Going forward we won't be too dramatic of a difference from what you've seen during the season."

Perhaps the two toughest decisions will be in front of either goal.

With eight and seven appearances, respectively, UCLA's Brian Rowe and UC Santa Barbara's Sam Hayden have virtually split the goalkeeping position. Both have three shutouts. Both have allowed less than a goal per game.

The other quandary is up front, where Mark Magee (eight goals) started so strong, Gyasi Zardes (two goals in five games) finished so strong and Callum Riley (five goals, three assists) has been so versatile.

"It's about who's in the best form," said Mikkelsen.

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."

While much of the PDL is made up of teams who, like the Fusion, are founded on college-level talent, Kitsap is one of a handful of teams who pay its players.

Kitsap coach Pete Fewing told the Seattle Times in June that the Pumas have a $36,000 budget for its 22-man roster.

"They pay all their players so it's really a professional team," said Fusion attacker Danny Barrera.

Despite the contrast in player compensation, Ventura County and Kitsap have plenty in common.

Both represented their division in the U.S. Open Cup. Ventura County fell 1-0 to the Los Angeles Blues and Kitsap lost 2-1 to the Seattle Sounders.

Both have played international opposition in recent weeks. While Ventura County fell to West Brom (4-2), Manchester City (2-0) and Independiente (3-0) and defeated the New Zealand Under-20s (2-1), Kitsap fell to Port Vale, who play in England's League Two.

Should the Fusion meet Victoria in Sunday's Western Conference final, the touchline will be the site of an unlikely reunion.

Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen and Victoria coach Ian Bridge have met many times before on the soccer fields of the old North American Soccer League.

Mikkelsen was a striker for the Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes and Bridge was a central defender for the Seattle Sounders.

The Fusion then will wrap up its regular season Saturday night against the visiting Los Angeles Legends at the Ventura College Sportsplex.

A pair of Fresno wins has seen the defending Southwest Division champion drop into second place, a point behind the Fuego, 36-35. To defend its title, the Fusion will have to win Saturday and hope the Fuego fail to win Saturday at the Southern California Seahorses and Sunday at the Legends.

A second-place finish wouldn't just mean missing out on the division title, but would set up a rematch of last year's postseason meeting with Kitsap, which the Fusion lost on penalty kicks.

The Premier Development League postseason may be coming back to Ventura.

The Ventura County Fusion, who hosted the 2009 PDL Final at Buena High and have already clinched its third straight postseason berth, confirmed Thursday that it has submitted a bid to host the Western Conference playoffs July 29-31 at Ventura College.

"We've already submitted something," said Fusion general manager Ranbir Shergill.

The potential host club submits a bid that outlines what it will provide the three visiting clubs, from hotels, transportation, stadium costs and referee costs.

"It gets relatively expensive," said Shergill. "I think we put a reasonable bid. It comes down to expenses at the end of the day. We'd certainly be covering a large part of different things... We'll wait and see what happens."

Considering the conference includes three of the four unbeaten teams remaining in the 64-team PDL, the Western foursome will feature Final Four-level quality.

Ventura County (10-0-5), Fresno (11-0-3) and Kitsap (12-0-3) have already clinched berths and the fourth will be from the British Columbian duo of Vancouver (7-5-3) and Victoria (7-4-3).

"It'll be fantastic to have it locally," said Shergill.

The Fusion's bid may be boosted by circumstance. Kitsap hosted last year's conference tournament and Fresno's Chukchansi Park is already hosting minor league baseball next weekend.

But Shergill added that there would be an upside to spending the postseason on the road.

"We've been hosting all these other games and hosting another tournament is a lot of work," said Shergill. "If we don't get it, at least you don't have to worry about the work. You can focus on the (soccer)."

The Fusion staff has already been hard at work hosting West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League, Independiente of Argentina and the New Zealand Under-20 team.

Shergill did add that, if the Fusion missed out on the conference tournament but advanced, the Fusion would pursue hosting the Final Four.

"If we win two games," said Shergill, "we'll have another opportunity to try and host."

This week may be the busiest week of the season for the Fusion.

West Brom, Independiente and the New Zealand all trained at Oxnard College Tuesday.
West Brom left Tuesday. The Argentine club has been holding double sessions daily, with morning work on the beach and late afternoon training on campus.

Behind two goals by forward Gyasi Zardes, the Fusion defeated the New Zealand Under-20 team 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

"After the game," said Shergill, "we took them down to the Home Depot Center to watch the Galaxy game."

The Fusion host Independiente tonight at 6 p.m. at Oxnard College. "The King of Cups" has won the Argentine championship 14 times and has accumulated 16 major international trophies, including the South American club championship, the Copa Libertadores, a record seven times.