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Ventura County FC

Ventura County FC Gets Past Irvine Zeta FC II, 2-1, to Advance to Second Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

March 22, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Ventura County FC News Release


LOS ANGELES - Ventura County FC advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following a 2-1 win over United Premier Soccer League side Irvine Zeta FC II at Dignity Health Sports Park's Track & Field Stadium on Thursday night. Sean Karani scored the game-winning goal for VCFC in the First-Round victory over Irvine.

The Magic Of The Cup

With the First-Round victory over Irvine Zeta FC, VCFC will learn its Second-Round opponent via a draw from U.S. Soccer that will be announced on Friday, March 22. The 32 victors from the First Round will square off in 16 Second Round matches over April 2-3.

LA Galaxy Academy

Eight LA Galaxy Academy Products appeared in the match against Irvine: Gabriel Arnold, Carson Klein, Marcus Ferkranus, Riley Dalgado, Harbor Miller, Ruben Ramos Jr., Carlos Diaz and Nicolas Barros Schelotto. LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Gabriel Arnold and defender Carlos Diaz both made their professional debuts, starting in the win over Zeta FC II.

Goal-Scoring Plays

IRV - Daniel Baumgartner (Penalty Kick), 8th minute: After winning a foul inside the box, Daniel Baumgartner converted his penalty-kick attempt into the roof of the net.

VCFC - Own Goal (Joseph Barry), 11th minute: Tucker Lepley's in-swinging corner kick was headed down by Ascel Essengue and the ball deflected off the back of an Irvine defender into the top left corner of the goal.

VCFC - Sean Karani (Isaiah Parente), 45+1st minute: Isaiah Parente slipped a pass on the edge of the 18-yard box to Sean Karani, who evaded a defender and laced his shot into the bottom right corner.

Postgame Notes

Eight LA Galaxy Academy Products appeared in the match against Irvine: Carson Klein, Marcus Ferkranus, Riley Dalgado, Harbor Miller, Ruben Ramos Jr., Carlos Diaz, Nicolas Barros Schelotto and Gabriel Arnold.

The average age of the Ventura County FC Starting XI was 20.5.

Sean Karani recorded his first-ever professional goal, the game-winner, while completing four of five dribbles and wining six of eight duels in the First Round victory.

In his professional debut and his first start, 17-year-old LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Gabriel Arnold started and played 90 minutes, completing 82 of 86 passes (95.3%), winning a team-high seven possessions and creating two chances.

Tucker Lepley created four chances, completed 46 of 50 passes (92.0%) and won four possessions.

Ventura County FC out possessed Irvine Zeta FC II 72.3% to 27.%, attempting 731 passes and completing 90.2%.

The average age of the Ventura County FC Starting XI was 20.5.

Ventura County FC hit the post twice in the win over Zeta FC II.

Next Game

Next up, Ventura County FC travel to face Sporting KC II at Rock Chalk Park on Thursday, March 21 (2:00 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass).

2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - First Round

Ventura County FC vs. Irvine Zeta FC II

Thursday - Dignity Health Sports Park's Track & Field Stadium (Los Angeles)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Ventura County FC 2 0 2

Irvine Zeta FC II 1 0 1

Scoring Summary:

IRV: Baumgartner (penalty kick), 8

VC: Own Goal (Barry), 11

VC: Karani (Parente), 45+1

Misconduct Summary:

VC: Essengue (caution), 31

IRV: Rico Jaramillo (caution), 41

VC: Klein (caution), 42

IRV: Vargas (caution), 90+1

Lineups:

VC: GK Brady Scott; D Carson Klein, D Marcus Ferkranus Š, D Ascel Essengue, D Carlos Diaz; M Isaiah Parente (Nicolas Barros Schelotto, 76), M Gabriel Arnold, M Harbor Miller (Riley Dalgado, 85), M Tucker Lepley (Sergio Villalpando, 76), M Sean Karani (Gino Vivi, 65), F Aaron Bibout (Ruben Ramos Jr., 65)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Nolan Anderson; M Diego López

TOTAL SHOTS: 26 (Three players tied, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Tucker Lepley, Ruben Ramos Jr., 2); FOULS: 14 (Four players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 3

IRV: GK Anthony Chavoya (Braeden Hatt, 45); D Ivan Torres (Alvarado Grijalva, 76), D Jesus Vargas, D Joseph Barry (Luan Barbosa, 45), D Brandon Parsio; M Olando Erazo, M Daniel Baumgartner, M Zhao Mingxuan (Bryce Roberts, 70), M Manual Aranda, F Zeph Rico-Jaramillo (Tanner Riebe, 70), F Papa Diene Faye

Substitutes Not Used: D Brian Elsing, M Chris Cao

TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 6

Referee: Benjamin Meyer

Assistant Referees: Salvador Reyes, Haily Morejon

Fourth Official: Carlos Garcia

Weather: Clear, 64 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

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