Ventura County Star newspaper report - by Joe Curley - www.venturacountystar.com

Sunday, August 2, 2009

LAREDO, TX -- The Ventura County Fusion men’s soccer team is bringing the Premier Development League final home to Buena High.

After falling behind by a goal, the Fusion scored six unanswered goals to race away with its PDL national semifinal, 6-1 against the Bradenton (Fla.) Academics on Saturday night at Texas A&M International Soccer Complex in Laredo, Texas.

Former Chivas USA player Anthony Hamilton scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season and Westlake High product Danny Barrera and midfielder Rodrigo Lopez each added a goal and two assists as the Fusion (11-2-7) rolled to its most important win in its history by the largest margin in club history.

“It was a vindication of the way that we’ve been as a club the whole season and the way we wanted to play football,” said Fusion coach Graham Smith. “But let’s not get carried away. The job’s not done. The big one is going to be next Saturday.”

The Fusion will host the Chicago Fire Premier next Saturday night at Buena High in the PDL final. Fox Soccer Channel is planning to televise the game live.

“From 68 teams down to the last two,” said Fusion general manager Ranbir Shergill. “It’s an unreal feeling.

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