Michelle Myers, the head coach of the Ventura County Fusion's women soccer team, knew the opening week of the W-League season would be tough.

Her fears are coming true.

The Fusion women will try to avoid an inaugural 0-3 start tonight against the powerhouse Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Former U.S. women's international Michelle French scored with 19 minutes to play as the Fusion women opened their dredged Pacific Northwest swing with a 1-0 loss to the host Seattle Sounders on Thursday night at the Starfire Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

"I thought we'd be able to battle it through and earn a draw before Michelle French got a hold of a nice left-footed shot that went upper (corner)," said Myers. "Not much we could do about that."

French, who played in the WUSA with the Washington Freedom and San Jose CyberRays, was assisted by Chalise Baysa, the University of Oregon's all-time leading scorer.

USC defensive anchor Kasey Johnson and former Loyola Marymount goalkeeper Joslyn Slovek played 90 solid minutes, tightening up the Fusion back in their debuts.

Oxnard College graduate Tenley Garcia, Ventura College graduate Alie Avina and Westlake High graduate Kylie McDonald also made significant contributions.

Many of the Fusion's NCAA players were ineligible for part of the trip north because their spring or summer terms were active.

"We had eight new faces," said Myers. "We're still piecing players together.

"I think we're still trying to find a rhythm. We did pretty well defensively."

The Whitecaps, the W-League's western powerhouse, open their season with a roster that includes veteran U.S. international Tiffeny Milbrett and several Canadian internationals, including Sophie Schmidt, Clare Rustad and Jodie-Ann Robinson.

The Fusion on Friday were infused with the addition of four players eligible to play on the weekend. Pepperdine defender Ashley Copp, Arizona fullback Brianna Caceres, UCLA defensive midfielder Catherine Calvert and Pepperdine striker Emily Wynn flew into Vancouver on Friday to join the team.

"They are very physical and very straightforward," said Myers. "We'll have a chance to run Ashley Copp next to Kasey (Johnson) for the first time (in defense)."

The game can be seen live on the Internet at http://www.usllive.com.

Fusion men in Bay Area: Having roared back to tie the San Fernando Valley Quakes with two goals in the final five minutes last Saturday, the Ventura County Fusion men look for their first win of the Premier Development League season tonight at the first-place San Jose Frogs.

The Frogs (2-0-1), led by two goals from Cal forward Andrew Wiedeman, sit atop the Southwest Division with seven points from their first three games. The Fusion (0-0-2) is in eighth place of the 10-team division after two home draws.

The Fusion will be without midfielder Rodrigo Lopez, who will serve a one-match suspension after Saturday's red card.

A hamstring pull for goalkeeper Logan Frank has veteran backstop Bryan Hill ready to fill in.

The UCLA duo of Jason Leopoldo and Brad Rusin may be set for their first starts of the season after coming off the bench to make vital contributions to Saturday's comeback.