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.

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.