WASHINGTON TERRACE -- The Outlaws are hoping to catch Fuego.
Ogden kicks off the home portion of its seventh season this evening, hosting the defending Southwest Division champion Fresno Fuego at Bonneville High School.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
"The results didn't go our way on the road, but we saw our potential," Ogden forward Kyle Christensen said. "The team is real excited to play at home against a tough opponent. Fresno is a real good side, and they don't lose much, but I like our chances."
Ogden comes into its home opener after a pair of close setbacks in southern California over the weekend. The Outlaws (0-2-0) had opportunities to tie both matches before surrendering stoppage time goals.
Finally at home, the team is looking for a different start.
"The Southwest Division has not been kind to us," Ogden owner/head coach Mike Hickman Sr. said. "However, I think this year will be different. We have the personnel to not only compete, but to win."
Ogden kept the majority of its core attackers and midfielders from 2011, while bolstering those areas with some key new additions that bring speed and creativity with the ball
The Outlaws biggest area of turnover was on the defensive side, with Hickman elected to revamp the back line with new faces that have high-level experience.
"Training has been intense and competitive," Hickman said. "The offensive has been creating a lot of opportunities, so no is the time for someone to step up and find the back of the net. Defensively, we worked out some of the bugs from the first weekend and should be ready."
Ogden could be catching Fresno at an opportune time as well, with the California side having to travel cross county after a 7-2 defeat at Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.
Fresno (3-1-1) had its 28-match unbeaten run in PDL play ended on Friday at Orange County, just two days before the Blue Star topped the Outlaws 3-1, and the Fuego having been away from home since Sunday.
"The Fuego are the reigning division champions, and our guys are pumped up and ready," Hickman said. "It should be an entertaining match, and I feel the Outlaws are ready to hold home field. We would really like to give the Ogden community a reason to come out and support us."
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