LAFC2 earned a point on Saturday night, playing Ventura County FC to a 1-1 draw at Titan Stadium in Fullerton before falling 4-2 in the postgame penalty shootout. The result moved the Black & Gold to 42 points, with two regular-season matches remaining and extended its home unbeaten streak to 13 matches.
Ventura County opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Mason Vanney finished from the right side of the box off an assist from Daniel Ittycheria. LAFC2 answered seven minutes later, as Giuliano Whitchurch converted from the center of the box following a Liam Lambert corner to send the teams into halftime level at 1-1.
'The Black & Gold pushed for a winner after the break, with Lambert and Ernesto Rodriguez both forcing saves from Ventura County goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon. Neither side found a breakthrough, sending the match to a penalty shootout.
DeCarlo Guerra and Sebastian Nava converted from the spot for LAFC2, while LAFC2 keeper Mark Gamez saved Brett Phan’s attempt. Ventura County ultimately prevailed 4-2 to claim the extra point.
LAFC2 finished with a 14-7 advantage in shots and held Ventura County to just two corner kicks. The Black & Gold committed just six fouls compared with 15 for the visitors.
The result leaves LAFC2 in sixth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference, five points ahead of ninth-place MNUFC2, the first team currently outside the playoff field. With two matches remaining, the Black & Gold remains in control of its postseason position. Austin FC II, Timbers2, Houston Dynamo 2, and Ventura County have already clinched playoff berths.
LAFC2 returns to action on Sunday, September 13, when the club travels to face Sporting KC II at Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT, and the match will be available on MLSNEXTPro.com.
