Sergio Villalpando grew up playing soccer in Oxnard, and by the age of 16 he had already accomplished what would be a wild dream for most players. He signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Los Angeles Galaxy is one of the most successful and historic of the three teams. 10 years of history of Major League Soccer.
Even that accomplishment may not be as significant as the venture in which the 18-year-old Villalpando is currently participating. He helped launch the newly renamed Ventura County FC, the first professional soccer team based in his home county. Since 2014, the team has been known as the Galaxy II and has played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, about 19 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Ventura County FC (VCFC) will play its first game at California Lutheran University's new home stadium in Thousand Oaks on May 19th at 7 p.m.
Cobi Jones is a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, former Los Angeles Galaxy player, Olympian, Westlake High School graduate, and currently helping start Ventura County FC. (LA Galaxy)
“For me personally, it's very important. Playing on a local professional team means a lot to me,” Villalpando told the Ventura County Reporter. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent my hometown and community in some way, and I feel I can express and accomplish that through Ventura County FC.”
Professional soccer journey connects to hometown
Villalpando had an older brother who played soccer, and they practiced at a park near their Oxnard home. His younger brother's natural soccer skills seemed to shine through early on, as a team made up of people four years older than Villalpando asked Villalpando if he wanted to train with them and made him their goalkeeper.
Villalpando began playing for soccer clubs such as the Oxnard Wave and Ventura County Fusion Club. The Ventura County Fusion Club is an all-ages amateur soccer organization that includes the top teams in League Two of the United Soccer League (USL). The Ventura Fusion's League 2 team plays out of Ventura College and is comprised primarily of former professionals and top college players who must maintain their amateur status.
The Ventura Fusion won the August 2022 USL Championship Game thanks to two key assists from Villalpando. After his win, he spoke to VC Reporter about his dedication to the sport. (“Ventura County His Fusion brings soccer excitement to fans, professional development to players” Alex Wilson, VCReporter, November 23, 2022.)
“I don't think this was luck. I think this was pure effort,” Villalpando said in 2022. I wasn't thinking of anything else. Ever since I was little, I think I've always been obsessed with something. I was concentrating. ”
Villalpando is currently in his third season with the Galaxy, starting with the LA Galaxy II team that competes in the MLS NEXT Pro League. As part of the transition to CLU, the team was renamed Ventura County FC. Although Villalpando is already on his way to becoming a veteran professional soccer player, he said he will always look back on his development with Ventura County's team as a foundation.
said Mark Noorzai, co-president and co-general manager of Oaks Sports Holdings, an organization created to bring MLS soccer to Ventura County. (VCFC)
“Fusion was exactly where I matured and grew as a player. They helped me so much. I got all the exposure I needed,” he said.
Villalpando hopes to inspire other young players by watching him play for Ventura County. “I want to let them know that even if you're from a small city, a small community, anything is possible. You just have to keep working and keep achieving your goals.”
Looking forward to his professional debut in Ventura County
Villalpando is looking forward to his first professional match in Ventura County. He hopes to see more familiar faces in the stands than he did when he played in Carson, which is a long drive from Oxnard. He described it as a “dream come true.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans in the stands cheering us on and cheering us on. I can’t wait to see my family, friends and all the people who have been waiting for the professional soccer team to come to our area.” I can’t do it,” he said. “We'll do our best. We'll give it our all and we're really excited to play our first game at home.”
Sergio Villalpando grew up in Oxnard and is currently a professional soccer player for Ventura County FC. (LA Galaxy)
When asked what he likes most about the sport, Villalpando said there are many things.
“It's full of passion and just love,” he said. “I feel great joy just by kicking the ball. The bonds I have with my teammates and the staff there. Being able to play soccer every day and making it your career is a real feeling for many players.'' I think that's a blessing. It means a lot to us.”
Bringing professional soccer to VC
Mark Noorzai is co-president and co-general manager of Oaks Sports Holdings, an effort that began nearly two years ago to bring MLS soccer to Ventura County. The businessman was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011, sharing the same title with Cobi Jones, who holds the record for most goals with the Los Angeles Galaxy and began his soccer journey in Ventura County.
Noorzai, a Denver native, was an All-American soccer player at the University of Denver and later coached soccer at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley. Noorzai has lived in Ventura County for 28 years and currently lives in Santa Rosa Valley, not far from CLU. He told VCReporter that he also achieved success in the business world.
“I moved to California 30 years ago to run an artificial intelligence company in Santa Monica. I ran a semiconductor company from MIT,” he said. “I've spent my life in the high-tech world, but my heart and passion are in soccer and I always come back to the soccer community to give back, whether it's with AYSO or not.” [American Youth Soccer Organization] Or even competitive soccer or college. ”
Noorzai said she chose to play at CLU's William Rowland Stadium because it already has great soccer facilities and is home to the current national champion women's team. (“Unlikely Champions: CLU Regals Win NCAA Division III Championship,” Alex Wilson, VCReporter, December 21, 2023.)
“I think people will be surprised.” [by] The acoustics of the stadium, the soccer-only field, the lack of a track there, the proximity of the fans to the field,” Noorzai said. “Once people realize it's a full-fledged professional league, a professional team and that environment, it becomes a Ventura team — this is for Ventura County, by the people of Ventura County. Built and run by the people of Ventura County – I think once we do that for the next three or four games, we're going to have a packed stadium. And I think it's going to be beautiful.”
Sergio Villalpando shows off Ventura County FC's new uniform in a promotional shot. (LA Galaxy)
Noorzai explained that every Major League Soccer team has a so-called “reserve team” that plays in the MLS NEXT Pro League, which now includes Ventura County FC, formerly known as Galaxy II. “The players are all professional players owned by the Galaxy, and first-team players and second-team players play with the second team to get more playing time, return from injury, and develop professional players. And you get a professional salary, benefits, etc. So it's the real deal.”
Noorzai said tickets to the game will cost $15 for general admission and $20 with access to the VIP area. We will also work to attract as many young soccer fans as possible to our home games. Ventura County FC expects to play approximately 20 games per season at CLU.
“We want youth clubs, high schools, elementary schools, middle schools, boys’ clubs, girls’ clubs to use our games as fundraising events…Once a club sells 50 tickets, they You get something like, you know, $15 per ticket and $5 from each ticket goes back to the club as a fundraiser,” he said. “The purpose is to give back to Ventura County. The whole idea here is, you know, we hire internally, we give back to the community, we leverage the community businesses we work with, we local It means collaborating with all of our people.”
The match will have a festive atmosphere with lots of music and supporter groups currently in preparation. Noorzai said the time has come for professional soccer to debut in Ventura County.
“We all finally got a pro team,” he said. “You know, we have a lot of good amateur teams. We have a lot of great youth teams. We have some of the best talent in the country in Oxnard, Camarillo, Fillmore, Westlake. You know, Kobi Jones comes from this kind of environment. That's why he comes back to this whole environment to give back. So he gets a professional environment and a young energy with music and drums. I think it can be great for everyone.”
Jones, who played at Westlake High School before competing on the world stage (including with the U.S. men's national team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona), said he is pleased to be able to help bring professional soccer to Ventura County. Ta.
“Growing up in this community, I was fascinated by the number of soccer enthusiasts and talented players. Despite the wealth of local skill, only a few tried their hand at professional soccer.” said Jones. “I am excited to join Ventura County FC and play a key role in bringing top-level soccer and entertainment to our hometown. We are very excited about this collaboration between VCFC, MLS NEXT Pro, and the LA Galaxy. I am excited.”
LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz said he is excited about the partnership with Oaks Sports Holdings and entering the Ventura County market.
“VCFC plays a key role in furthering the Galaxy’s sporting vision and football operational goals, which will remain under our stewardship. We look forward to this new partnership with Oaks Sports Holding as we move forward,” said Kunz. “We are thrilled that the players participating in Galaxy's Professional Development Course will be able to perform in an exciting new environment.
Ventura County FC will play the Real Monarchs of Utah on Sunday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at William Rowland Stadium, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. For tickets and more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/venturacountyfc/.
