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.

Sounders right back Kelli Smith clears a header off the goal line after a Colorado Force corner kick during the first half in Loveland. Seattle won 1-0 on Wednesday. The play was the closest the Force came to scoring. (photo by Zane Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Michelle French scored in the 32nd minute as the Seattle Sounders began a two-game road swing through the Centennial State with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Force on Wednesday at the Loveland Sports Park.

Force midfielder Maggie Doe, right, closes in on NY/NJ Sky Blue striker Natasha Kai during the first half of their friendly on Wednesday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
(photo by Jonathan Ingraham/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Mother Nature gave them lemons.

Lisa Kosena, right, and Natalie Martineau go shoulder to shoulder for possession of the ball in the first half Wednesday in Loveland. (photo by Tom Auclair/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

Nikki Marshall scored a first-half goal as the Colorado Force tied its fourth consecutive game, a 1-1 draw against Ventura County on Wednesday at the Loveland Sports Park.

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.