Ventura County Fusion

Last updated
Ventura County Fusion
Ventura County Fusion logo.svg
Full nameVentura County Fusion Soccer Club
Nickname(s)The Fusion
Founded2006;18 years ago (2006)
Stadium Ventura College Sportsplex
Ventura, California
Capacity5,000
Owner Ranbir Shergill
Head Coach Keith Costigan
League USL League Two
2023 2nd, Southwest Division
Playoffs: Conference Final
Website http://www.vcfusion.com/
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Ventura County Fusion is an American soccer team based in Ventura, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid.

Contents

The team plays its home games in the stadium on the campus of Ventura College, the VC SportsPlex, where they have played since 2011. The team's colors are blue, orange and white. All home games are streamed live on the Fusion's YouTube channel. All broadcasts are done in conjunction with CAPS TV in Ventura.

History

The Fusion entered the Premier Development League in 2007 as the first ever soccer franchise from the Ventura County area of Southern California. They played their first competitive game on April 28, 2007, beating fellow expansion franchise Lancaster Rattlers 2–1, and setting the wheels in motion for what turned out to be a promising first season. Four wins in their next five games – including impressive victories over traditional regional powerhouses Fresno Fuego and Orange County Blue Star – propelled the Fusion to the top of the table by mid-season. However, a spate of injuries began to take its toll on their roster, and by the middle of July the Fusion were stuttering towards the finish line, still in with a shout of making the playoffs, but being hampered by damaging defeats to Fresno and the Southern California Seahorses. By the time the final set of games came round, Fusion needed three points from their final two games to leapfrog the San Fernando Valley Quakes into the playoffs, but two consecutive ties – 3–3 with Southern California Seahorses and a hugely disappointing 0–0 with Los Angeles Storm – meant that they finished their debut season fourth in the table. English striker Mark Draycott was the team's leading marksman, notching an impressive ten goals, while Eric Avila and Chance Myers led the assist stats.

In the offseason, Fusion played against English Premier League side Everton in a closed friendly at the Home Depot Center on July 24, 2007. The match was organised by head coach Smith, who "wanted it to be a reward for their great play during their inaugural season". Later, in early 2008, Fusion hosted games against Hammarby of the Swedish Allsvenskan, and Real Salt Lake and Columbus Crew of MLS. Fusion enjoyed a 1–0 victory over a Columbus side that included MLS veterans such as Frankie Hejduk, despite playing without all their college players, due to NCAA regulations.

Ventura started their second competitive season without the services of Chance Myers and Eric Avila, both of whom had been taken in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, and Mark Draycott, who had returned to England to play for Swindon Supermarine. Despite this, anticipation was high that success would be swift, but they actually started the season sluggishly, losing two of their first four games, and not picking up a victory until their 3–0 triumph over Fresno Fuego in late May. This signalled an about-turn in form; Fusion enjoyed four wins in June, including an impressive 4–1 thrashing of Fresno Fuego away from home. Two more impressive victories – 2–0 over Southern California Seahorses and 4–0 over Lancaster Rattlers – kept Fusion's playoff run on course, but a shock 1–0 defeat to struggling Orange County Blue Star at home meant that they had to beat eventual divisional champions San Fernando Valley Quakes in their next game, or their season would be over. The Quakes won 3–2 in a bad-tempered game at Pierce College, and Ventura were left rueing another year of missed opportunities. They eventually finished the season in 3rd, just two points out of the playoffs; Hagop Chirishian was the team's top scorer, with 4 goals, while former Chivas USA midfielder Rodrigo López led with 3 assists.

On July 21, 2009 the Fusion played Burnley of the Barclays Premier League, however the superior class showed through and despite a spirited showing the Fusion went down 5–0.

2009 was a breakout year for Fusion. Having added former MLS players Ivan Becerra, Anthony Hamilton and Adam Smarte to the roster during the offseason, Ventura looked like a decent bet to qualify for the post-season for the first time. Things did not start well; they drew 2–2 with Bakersfield Brigade in their opening game of the season, and then were thumped 4–0 at home by the Hollywood United Hitmen next time out. The hammering, however, seemed to bring things into focus, and things improved sharply. From then on, Ventura embarked on an astonishing 12-game unbeaten streak that included six ties and hard-fought victories away at the Ogden Outlaws, a 3–2 revenge win away at Hollywood, and a 4–2 goal fest at home to the BYU Cougars in which Anthony Hamilton scored a brace. A nervy 1–0 loss to the Los Angeles Legends on the last day of the regular season meant that the Fusion finished third in the Southwest division, but sneaked into the playoffs by the back door as the lowest seed in the West. Fusion beat the Legends 2–1 in the first round of the playoffs thanks to early goals by Alfonso Motagalvan and Anthony Hamilton, and then defeated divisional champions Hollywood in extra time thanks to two late goals by Sam Myerson. For the national quarter finals Ventura travelled to Laredo, Texas, and dispatched Northwest division champions Kitsap Pumas 2–1 on an injury-time free kick from Rodrigo López, and then demolished the Bradenton Academics 6–1 in searing heat to qualify for their first ever PDL Championship game. Ventura hosted the final, which was broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel, and snatched a victory from out of the hands of Chicago Fire Premier with an injury time winner from Alfonso Motagalvan, despite playing for most of the match with ten men. [1] Artur Aghasyan and Anthony Hamilton were Ventura's regular-season top scorers, with 8 goals each, while Hamilton and Hagop Chirishian contributed 3 assists apiece.

On July 15, 2014, Fusion played a friendly match against Rangers from Glasgow, Scotland, which the Fusion won 3–1.

On July 15, 2018, Jermaine Jones played his last game of competitive football with the Fusion in a 1–0 home loss to FC Golden State Force. [2]

Players

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Luke Pruter
2 DF Flag of Norway.svg  NOR Mathias Winum
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Michael Arrington
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sebastian Hernandez
5 MF Flag of El Salvador.svg  SLV Erick Serrano
6 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Beto Apolinar
7 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Zack Harris
8 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jorge Lopez
10 FW Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  SLE Buba Fofanah
11 FW Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Marley Edwards
12 DF Flag of Algeria.svg  ALG Siddiq Lezzar
13 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kash Oladapo
14 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Samy Kanaan
15 MF Flag of Denmark.svg  DEN Mikkel Goeling
16 DF Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  PUR Gio Calderón
17 FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Michael Acquah
18 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kevin Carmichael
No.Pos.NationPlayer
19 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ashton Alonge
20 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Caden Vom Steeg
21 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ocean Salari
— GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA David Mitzner
— DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Palmer Bank
— DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ori Bitton
— DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Nick Lockermann
— DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Adrian Schulze Solano
— DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jake Shaked
— DF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Haruki Utsumi
— MF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Samuel Atiye
— MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Fletcher Bank
— MF Flag of Gibraltar.svg  GIB Niels Hartman
— FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Cesar Bahena
— FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA David Garcia
— FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jackson Kestler
— FW Flag of Ghana.svg  GHA Bright Nutornutsi

Notable former players

This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.

Year-by-year

YearDivisionLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffsOpen CupAvg. attendance
20074USL PDL4th, Southwestdid not qualifydid not qualify1,176
20084USL PDL3rd, Southwestdid not qualifydid not qualify1,217
20094USL PDL3rd, SouthwestChampionsdid not qualify876
20104USL PDL1st, SouthwestConference Semi-Finals1st Round873
20114USL PDL2nd, SouthwestConference Semi-Finals2nd Round1,116
20124USL PDL1st, SouthwestConference Finals3rd Round1,302
20134USL PDL2nd, SouthwestConference Semifinals2nd Round1,282
20144USL PDL1st, SouthwestConference Semifinalsdid not qualify1,322
20154USL PDL2nd, SouthwestDivision Playoffs2nd Round—
20164USL PDL4th, Southwestdid not qualify1st Round—
20174USL PDL8th, Southwestdid not qualifydid not qualify—
20184USL PDL2nd, Southwestdid not qualifydid not qualify—
2019 4USL League Two2nd, SouthwestConference Finalsdid not qualify—
2020 4USL League TwoSeason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 4USL League Twodid not play due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 4USL League Two2nd, SouthwestChampionsdid not qualify—
2023 4USL League Two2nd, SouthwestConference Final1st round—

Honors

Notable matches

July 15, 2014Friendly Ventura County Fusion Flag of the United States.svg 3–1 Flag of Scotland.svg Rangers F.C. Ventura, California
7:15 p.m. PST Vale Soccerball shade.svg42'
Argueta Soccerball shade.svg73'
LaGrassa Soccerball shade.svg84'		 Report Mohsni Soccerball shade.svg80'Stadium: Ventura College Sportsplex

Head coaches

Stadia

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange County Blue Star</span> Soccer club

Orange County Blue Star was an amateur American soccer team based in Irvine, California. Founded in 1997, the team played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference until 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fresno FC U-23</span> Soccer club

Fresno Football Club U-23, formerly Fresno Fuego FC, was an American soccer team based in Fresno, California, United States. Founded in 2003, the team played in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The club drew an average home attendance of 3,951 in 2016, including league matches, divisional playoffs and exhibitions against professional clubs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakersfield Brigade</span> Soccer club

Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Gauchos</span> Football club

The San Diego Gauchos were an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, that competed in the United Soccer League's Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The team played its home games at Torero Stadium. In 2006, the team was sold to new owners, and the franchise was disbanded.

Southern California Eagles are an American soccer team based in La Mirada, California. Founded in 2001 as the Southern California Seahorses, the team plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. They also field a team in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogden Outlaws</span> Soccer club

Ogden Outlaws is an American soccer team based in Ogden, Utah, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Fernando Valley Quakes</span> Former American soccer team

San Fernando Valley Quakes was an American soccer team based in Calabasas, California, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LA Laguna FC</span> Soccer club

LA Laguna FC was an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles area, United States. Founded in 2010, the team played in the Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Jose Frogs</span> Soccer club

San Jose Frogs was an American soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.

Brent Whitfield is an American soccer player currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.

FC Santa Clarita (FCSC) is an American soccer team based in Santa Clarita, California, United States. FC Santa Clarita also known as the Santa Clarita Storm make just north of Los Angeles home, as they compete in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Santa Clarita FC announced they joined the UPSL’s Western Conference November 5, 2014. The team is owned by American businessman Gary Brunner, President and CEO of United Sports International Inc. The team is Santa Clarita’s only sports franchise calling the area home with the encouragement and support of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitsap Pumas</span> Soccer club

Kitsap SC Pumas was an American soccer team based in Bremerton, Washington, United States. The team played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. From its foundation in 2009 to 2016, the club played in the Premier Development League (PDL), as a professional club. As part of the agreement upon leaving PDL after the 2016 season, the club was unable to use the "Kitsap Pumas" name during the 2017 season while playing in NPSL. The club was officially renamed Kitsap SC until September 1, 2017 when the Pumas name was restored. The club announced on July 20, 2018 that it would cease operations due to declining attendance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollywood United Hitmen</span> Soccer club

Hollywood United Hitmen was an American soccer team based in Los Angeles. The team was founded in 2009 and played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and the USL Premier Development League (PDL).

Hagop Chirishian is a professional American soccer player who currently a free agent. He last played for New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League.

Felix Alfonso Motagalvan is an American soccer player.

Artur Aghasyan is a retired Armenian professional footballer. He is the current manager of SC Brave Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burlingame Dragons FC</span> Soccer club

Burlingame Dragons FC was an American soccer club based in Burlingame, California. Founded in 2014, the team played in the Premier Development League (PDL). The team was owned by Nick Swinmurn, founder of Zappos.com and a minority investor in the NBA's Golden State Warriors, and David Ebersman, former CFO of Facebook and Genentech. The team played its home games at Burlingame High School stadium. They were the developmental affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Smith (soccer coach)</span> English-born U.S. soccer coach

Adam Smith is currently serving as the Sporting Director for USL League 1 team, Central Valley Fuego FC. Smith has held coaching positions at Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer, Fresno FC and Sacramento Republic. Prior to joining Fuego, Smith took the role of CEO and Director of Football at USL League 2 team Ventura County Fusion. Fusion had previously been on a two-year hiatus from the league due to Covid shutdowns, but returned to win the National Championship in 2022. During the 2021 season, Smith took an interim position as First Team Coach at Detroit City FC. This was to provide short-term help to the Head Coach and General manager, Trevor James. Detroit went onto win the NISA Legends tournament that same season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Lundgaard</span> American soccer player

Benjamin Cunningham Lundgaard is an American retired soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. He appeared at the semi-professional level for Fresno Fuego and New York Red Bulls U-23 and spent time with Columbus Crew SC, Indy Eleven, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Atlanta United, and Atlanta United 2 at the professional level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monterey Bay FC</span> American professional soccer team

Monterey Bay Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in Monterey County, California. The club was established on February 21, 2021, and is a member of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer league system. It began playing during the 2022 USL Championship season as a member of the league's Western Conference.

References

  1. ↑ "Fusion overcome Fire for PDL title". Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  2. ↑ "Fusion PDL Season Wrap Up". Archived from the original on 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.