The LA Galaxy today announced that the organization’s MLS NEXT Pro club will now compete under the name “Ventura County FC” (VCFC) in partnership with Oak Sports Holding. Previously known as LA Galaxy II, Ventura County’s newest professional sports team will play their home matches at California Lutheran University. AEG, the LA Galaxy’s ownership group, will retain ownership of the MLS NEXT Pro club, with VCFC’s soccer operations led by the LA Galaxy under the direction of LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz and certain commercial operations managed by Mark Noorzai of Oak Sports Holding.
The move is part of a collaborative effort between LA Galaxy and Oak Sports Holding to broaden and deepen the presence of soccer in the Central Coast communities of southern California, including Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and other surrounding cities.
“We are excited to partner with Oak Sports Holding to bring professional soccer to Ventura County and its surrounding communities,” said LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun. “LA Galaxy’s second team is about player development and a player pathway into the first team. As we kick off this new partnership with Oak Sports Holding, we are confident that Ventura County FC will have success on and off the field.”
Ventura County FC will be one of 11 MLS NEXT Pro clubs set to compete in the First Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a spot earned by the club as announced by U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer. Ventura County FC will play host to United Premier Soccer League side Irvine Zeta FC II in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium on Thursday, March 21 (7:30 p.m. PT). The U.S. Open Cup First Round match on Thursday, March 21 will be open to the public.
Additionally, Ventura County FC will play its first two matches of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium, with both matches open to the public. Ventura County FC will host Town FC on Sunday, March 17 (5:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass) and Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, March 31 (5:00 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass), before hosting Whitecaps FC 2 at California Lutheran University on Sunday, April 7 (5:00 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass). VCFC will play the remaining matches of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season at California Lutheran University.
“We are thrilled that players in the Galaxy’s professional development pathway will be performing in an exciting new environment thanks to our partnership with Oak Sports Holding,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. “VCFC will play an important role in furthering the Galaxy’s sporting vision and soccer operations goals, which will remain under our control. We look forward to this new partnership with Oak Sports Holding as we continue developing top-tier talent in their progression to our first team.”
The LA Galaxy will oversee all soccer operations for Ventura County FC, with VCFC continuing to train at Dignity Health Sports Park throughout the duration of the partnership.
"We are so excited to bring professional soccer to our community of Ventura County for the fans that celebrate the beautiful game and for young players dreaming to one day play professionally,” said Oak Sports Holding founder, Mark Noorzai.
Cobi Jones, a 2011 inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the all-time leader in MLS regular-season appearances in LA Galaxy history, also member of the Oaks Sports Holding ownership group, said:
“Growing up in this community, I was captivated at the sheer number of soccer enthusiasts and talented players. Despite the abundance of local skill, only a few ventured into professional soccer. Joining Ventura County FC, I'm thrilled to play a key role in bringing top-tier soccer and entertainment to my hometown. We're very excited for this VCFC, MLS NEXT Pro and LA Galaxy collaboration.” Jones grew up in Westlake Village and graduated from Westlake High School in Ventura County.
