CARSON — Suntanned American college kids in designer sunglasses sipped Starbucks and sat cross-legged on the grass.

Alongside stood sunburned, tattooed Scousers, who drained a cooler packed with ice, glass and lager with the efficiency of the team they had traveled 6,000 miles from Merseyside to watch.

The gap in both the makeup of the supporters and the quality of the soccer between the United States' pseudo fourth division and perhaps the most popular league in the world was on display — vividly — Tuesday afternoon at Home Depot Center, where 129-year-old Everton of Liverpool, England, dispatched the first-year Ventura County Fusion, 4-0, in a training match before about 100 curious onlookers.

"Our young players got a great chance to play against world-class players today," said Fusion assistant Rudy Ybarra. "It's a valuable experience that's only going to enrich our young players."

Powerful Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe scored a goal and an assist, South African attacker Steven Pienaar, newly loaned from Borussia Dortmund, opened his account on his debut and Leon Osman and James Beattie also added goals as the English Premiership team used its size, power and consistency to shine through a surprisingly competitive friendly.

"It was a lot more physical than we're used to," said Fusion defender Brad Rusin. "They should beat us like that, but I think we held our own."

The surreal sight of Spanish international Mikel Arteta and Westmont College fullback Dillon Barna exchanging shoulders and elbows was one memorable highlight.

"It was definitely a battle," said Fusion fullback Dylan Riley, a Thousand Oaks High product who plays for Cal State Northridge. "Nothing that we're used to. But it was fun.

"The biggest difference is the consistency. Everything they do is perfect and crisp, and they know how to use their size, too. As big as they are, they're agile."

Despite the scoreline, several Fusion players stood out. Rusin, the 6-foot-4 defender from UCLA, stood up to the physical challenge of Premiership opposition for the entire 90 minutes. He exchanged crushing collisions with Beattie, the former England international, and curt words with Scottish international James McFadden.

"Brad stepped up and played solid," said Ybarra. "He's an outstanding young talent who showed today he has an great future.

"He was certainly, the man of the match for us."

Jason Leopoldo, the UCLA winger, was easily the Fusion's best player going forward. The Thousand Oaks High product with the Brazilian blood ran Everton right back Tony Hibbert, known as the club's best tackler, ragged for long periods, especially when the Fusion threatened to score several times in the first 20 minutes.

"The gap isn't that big, technically," said Leopoldo. "I was going at their right back all game. It's more mentally. They made better decisions both with and without the ball today."

Leopoldo got loose down the left flank three times in the early going, once forcing Nigerian international defender Joseph Yobo to clear off the goal line.

"I think we created chances in the first 20 minutes," said Ybarra, "yet they get their first chance and put it away. That's the difference."

Osman, active down the left side, pounced in the 15th minute after Fusion goalkeeper Bryan Hill failed to clear.

At full strength besides Australia midfielder Tim Cahill and England striker Andy Johnson, Everton also lined up with English midfielder Phil Neville, Portuguese fullback Nuno Valente and new $8 million defensive signing Phil Jagielka.

The Fusion, intent on allowing its entire roster to enjoy the experience, sent out nearly two teams. It started with Hall behind center backs Rusin and Alfonso Montagalvan, fullbacks Riley and Nelson Pizarro and a midfield of Leopoldo, Michael Farfan, Gabe Farfan, Ricardo Alcaraz and Varden Adzemian supporting lone striker Hagop Chirishian.

Leading scorer Mark Draycott, still nursing a sprained ankle, came off the bench alongside attackers Eric Avila, Johnny Alcaraz and Diego Barrera.