Ventura County FC faces LAFC 2 in Friday final

Ventura County FC will play LAFC 2 on Friday for the right to advance to the MLS Next Pro championship match.

The two clubs are set to meet in the Western Conference final at 7 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park. Admission to the game is free. This matchup features the second teams of two Major League Soccer rivals who have established a long history of competition at the top level.

The teams have played three times during the current season. LAFC 2 won the first encounter on May 16 with a 3-2 score. Ventura County FC responded with a 2-0 victory on July 18. Their most recent meeting on Sept. 5 ended in a 1-1 draw.

Ventura County FC secured the third seed in the Western Conference with 53 points. LAFC 2 qualified for the final as the sixth seed with 45 points. LAFC 2 advanced through the previous round by defeating Houston Dynamo 2 and Austin FC 2.

VCFC defender Riley Delgado described the upcoming game as a major event for the squad. He stated that the team's mentality is to win because it is a win or go home situation. Delgado noted that few players on the roster have experienced a Western Conference final against LAFC.

VCFC coach Matt Taylor acknowledged that LAFC 2 is an aggressive team with strong players. He said the group must balance the emotion of a derby match with staying focused on their game plan. Taylor emphasized that the rivalry should serve as motivation rather than a distraction.

Taylor noted that eight of the 11 players in the last match came through the Galaxy Academy. Delgado is part of that young group. Taylor said the team has spent the season building chemistry among academy players and those recruited from outside the club.

The coach said the team found ways to replace key players who left during the summer transfer window. He described the environment as a competitive culture where young players can grow while experienced contributors help build the team's identity.