A penalty shot just minutes into match was not enough to stop Ventura County FC from being victorious, 2-1, over Irvine Zeta II in the First Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The comeback was the first win for the newly-named MLS NEXT Pro side, formerly known as LA Galaxy II.
“We created a lot of chances. we controlled the game,” VCFC head coach Matt Taylor said. “ gave an early PK. Outside of that, if you score five or six more tonight, you feel like it’s a complete night.”
The first few minutes of half showed each team were eager to be the first on the board. Possession bounced back and forth between both teams with close opportunities after each offensive push.
However, in the 8th minute, a foul inside the goalie box would issue a penalty shot for Irvine Zeta II. Daniel Baumgartner would make the penalty and put his team in the lead 1-0.
After trailing behind so early into the match, it was evident Ventura County began to put more aggressiveness in their offensive plays.
It would pay off in the 11th minute. Ventura County would have a corner kick and in the mist of the play, a minor error by a Irvine Zeta II player where they tried to deflect the ball out of the goal ended up the other direction. An own goal would be awarded to Ventura County’s Joseph Barry and put the game at a tie, 1-1.
With the game even with plenty of time left, both teams relied heavily on the intensity of the match for motivation to be conceded the next goal. However, right when the match seemed to be headed to the halftime break tied at 1-1, Ventura County would find the go-ahead goal.
Irvine took a throw-in on their side of midfield and lost possession and it ended up at the feet of Isaiah Parente who slotted a pass to Sean Karani in the center of the field. Karani took a couple of touches and fired a shot near the top of the 18 yard line. His low-driving shot would beat the keeper to give his team the lead.
The second half proved to be unlucky for Ventura County. Numerous attempts at goal would either be shy of the goal by hitting the post or be deflected by the keeper or defense. Ventura County outshot Irvine 26-8 with an 8-4 edge in shots on goal over Irvine Zeta II by the end of the match.
“I think when you look at it, we didn’t give up much,” Taylor said, “We were organized.”
