The Junior All Whites have lost 2-1 to a local senior side in California as they began the final leg of their Under 20 World Cup preparations.
Ventura County Fusion play in the lower-tier USL Premier Development League.
New Zealand kick off their Cup campaign at the end of the month against Cameroon in Colombia.
Coach Chris Milicich used the match as an opportunity to give players valuable minutes on the pitch, handing starts to overseas-based players Luke Rowe and Stefan Marinovich as well as Marco Rojas and Cameron Lindsay - all of whom missed Sunday's 2-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix in Auckland.
Melville defender Mikey Kramer also made his age group debut.
