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."

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."

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."

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.

Coming off its first competitive loss of the season, the Ventura County Fusion has no time to lick its wounds.

One day after being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 loss to the professional Los Angeles Blues, the Fusion left for the airport and its toughest road trip of the season.

The Fusion will play both of the Southwest Division's two Utah teams over the next three nights, visiting the BYU Cougars tonight in Provo, Utah and the Ogden Outlaws Saturday.

"Going as far as you can in the cup is one thing, but staying on top of the division is another top priority," said coach Ole Mikkelsen. "We'll get our focus back on the league."

The trip outside the state hasn't been easy for the Fusion, which has followed the same pattern over the past two years by dropping points in the first match only to recover by winning the second.

"It has been a mixed bag for us," said Mikkelsen of the trips to the Beehive State. "It tests the depth of the team every year."

Last year, the Fusion fell 2-1 to last place Ogden before responding with a 2-1 win at BYU behind goals by Sam Myerson and Jacob Hustedt. In 2009, it followed a 2-2 draw at BYU with a 3-1 win at Ogden.

"We occasionally play down to their level," said Mikkelsen. "Last year at Ogden, the team didn't play well at all. But they turned around and beat BYU the next match and went on a healthy run of wins to close out the season."

Trailing first-place Fresno (7-0-3) by two points, the Fusion (6-0-4) can't afford to drop any more points considering the Southwest Division includes two of the five unbeaten teams remaining in the 64-team Premier Development League.

Tonight's road match in Provo, Utah will be televised by BYUtv, which can be found on DirecTV channel 374, Dish Network channel 9403 and Verizon Fios channel 290.

The Fusion are used to being broadcast. Its home matches are presented on the Internet by http://www.HomeFieldSports.com (radio) and http://www.KADytv.com (video).

A year ago, the goal was getting there.

This year, the Ventura County Fusion men's soccer team will be looking to do something with its berth in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Fusion will host adult amateur side Doxa Italia in the first round of the Open Cup June 14 at the Ventura College Sportsplex, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday.

"One our goals at the beginning of last year was to qualify for the Open Cup," said Fusion coach Ole Mikklesen. "I certainly wasn't satisfied with departing in the first round on (penalty kicks)... This year, we want to go as far as we can."

Based in Southern California, Doxa Italia have several Fusion alumni on their roster, including winger Bryan Byrne, midfielder Andrew Villalobos and defender Marcus Watson.

"That'll be interesting," said Mikklesen. "That'll be fun."

Doxa also features Buena High and Moorpark College midfielder Devin Toohey, several former Major League Soccer players and Raul Palomares, a former U.S. youth international who scored for Kaiserslautern in Bundesliga play.

None of the 64 teams in the Premier Development League have started brighter the Fusion (5-0-1), who lead the continent in goals scored (23) and goal difference (plus 20). It is one of the nine unbeaten teams left in the PDL.

"I'm extremely pleased with the results and certainly the fashion in which we've been playing," said Mikklesen. "We're playing very attack-minded soccer and the defense has held up its end of the bargain as well.

"It'll be great to continue that form into the Open Cup."

The winner of the first-round tie will play either Hollywood United, who play in the National Premier Soccer League, or the Los Angeles Blues' USL PRO side in the second round. The second-round winner could be matched up against MLS opposition.

"That's our aim," said Mikkelsen.