The San Jose Earthquakes opened play at the La Manga Cup in Spain with a 2-0 loss to Rosenborg, winner of 11 Norwegian straight league titles.
Frode Johnsen and Harald Brattbakk scored the goals for Rosenborg.
Troy Dayak started and played the whole match for the Quakes at right back. It was the first time Dayak played that position for San Jose since 1998. Ronnie Ekelund was still in Denmark awaiting his visa and will join the team shortly.
The Quakes next face Rubin Kazan of Russia in first-round action on Thursday. MLS champion Los Angeles plays Lyn of Norway on Tuesday.
La Manga is a winter training center for Scandinavian and Eastern European teams.