LOS ANGELES (September 23, 2026) – Ventura County FC (VCFC) announced today that the club has selected Minnesota United FC II (MNUFC2) as their opponent for the Conference Quarterfinals of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs as part of the league's Pick-Your-Opponent format. As the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, Ventura County FC earned the opportunity to select its first-round playoff opponent during the MLS NEXT Pro Pick-Your-Opponent Selection Show on September 23.
The Conference Quarterfinal match will be played in Dignity Health Sports Park’s Main Soccer Stadium on Friday, October 16 at 7 p.m. PT, coinciding with the LA Galaxy Foundation's 19th Annual Treats-n-Suites Halloween Bash. The playoff match is free to attend and open to the public.
“MNUFC2 has been a strong team all season and presents a unique challenge," said Gordon Kljestan, Ventura County FC Sporting Director. "We know they're well organized and competitive. All that said, we believe in our group, what we've accomplished this season and the way we've continued to grow throughout the year. We're excited to host this game at Dignity Health Sports Park, play in front of our fans and begin our playoff journey."
This will mark the first meeting between the two sides in 2026. Ventura County FC secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference after posting a 14-7-7 record, while MNUFC2 finished fifth in the conference standings at 12-10-6. Minnesota enters the postseason unbeaten in the run of play in its last six matches, compiling a 4-0-2 record across August and September. VCFC also closed the regular season in strong form, going 9-2-3 since June and collecting points in 12 of its final 14 matches.
“We are incredibly grateful to the fans in Ventura County who’ve supported this team, and hope to welcome them and new fans to Dignity Health Sports Park for the group’s playoff run,” said Tom Braun, President and Chief Operating Officer, LA Galaxy. “VCFC is an important part of our Club, our development pipeline, and the future of our sport. We look forward to supporting their run to win the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.”
Fans and families can make a full evening by enjoying both VCFC playoff soccer and the Treats-n-Suites event. Taking place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the popular community event transforms the stadium's luxury suites into a safe, festive trick-or-treating experience for local children. The event also features a costume parade, themed hayrides, carnival games hosted by the City of Carson and interactive wildlife exhibits. Tickets are available for $8.77 for children ages 2-16, while parents and guardians are admitted free of charge, with all proceeds benefiting local youth programming through the LA Galaxy Foundation.
About the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs
The Conference Quarterfinal matchups were determined through MLS NEXT Pro's Pick-Your-Opponent format, which returns for a fourth consecutive season. During the Selection Show, the No. 1 through No. 3 seeds in each conference selected their preferred opponents from the eligible lower-seeded clubs, while the No. 4 seed was assigned the remaining team.
The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs will begin with a Play-in Round from October 9-11, where the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in each conference will compete for the final playoff berth. The Conference Quarterfinals are scheduled for October 16-18, followed by the Conference Semifinals on October 23-25, Conference Finals on October 30-November 1, and MLS NEXT Pro Cup from November 6-8.
All MLS NEXT Pro Playoff matches will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.com.
