As the Colorado Force begins its season at 7 p.m. tonight against Seattle at the Loveland Sports Park, we take a look at the players who the Force will rely on most heavily in 2009:

GOALKEEPERS
Kara Linder
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
College: University of Colorado
Major: integrative physiology, interested in pre-pharmacy
—Linder missed most of last season, but Coach Craig Deacon says he has high expectations for her this year.

Nikki Marshall and Carly Peetz, both recently invited to the pool of potential players for the U.S. women's U-23 national team, will return to the Colorado Force for its 2009 season, and the team will welcome two new players from the University of Nebraska.

The Force, which plays in the United Soccer Leagues' W-League, will open its season against the Seattle Sounders on May 27 in Loveland.

The University of Colorado soccer team will be the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 soccer tournament, which starts at 1 p.m. (Mountain time) Wednesday against sixth-seeded Texas at the Blossom Soccer Complex in San Antonio.

And now, courtesy of CU, here is a massive list of facts about the Buffs, the Longhorns and the Big 12 tournament:

• This is CU's second time as the #3 seed at the Big 12 championships.