The Ventura County Fusion, a regional soccer franchise and reigning champs of the Premier Development League, will play an exhibition game against professional soccer club Cruz Azul of Mexico’s First Division at 7 p.m. Thurs., July 1 at Ventura College.

This the first time the Fusion will face a professional Mexican squad. The Fusion stands at 5-2-1 in the Southwest Division of the league’s Western Conference.

The Fusion has played a number of similar exhibition matches against other professional and premier amateur clubs throughout its four-year history. Most recently, the Fusion battled the Mexican National Under 21 team in February to a 1-1 draw.

The organization has also faced Everton F.C. and Burnley F.C. of the English Premier League, Hammarby and GAIS of the Swedish First Division, Japanese JLeague Champions Oita Trinita, and the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer.

For more information, go to www.vcfusion.com.