On February 8th, 2020 the year kicked off with a very special moment that took place in the heart of Venice at Oakwood Rec. Center. FC Montfermeil, an amateur club based in Paris and responsible for producing over 250+ professional footballers, traveled to Los Angeles alongside filmmaker Ladj Ly to support him for his Oscar nominated Les Miserables. Ladj Ly grew up in the neighborhood of Montfermeil, a suburb of Paris, and is closely connected to the local football club. FC Montfermeil embodies the true nature of a community soccer club, taking in players whose families have very modest means and are often immigrants to the country. The club takes on the responsibility of helping their players on and off the field through world-class football development and ensuring a quality education and civic participation. The club is partnered with Ligue 1 side Saint-Étienne, who signs the best players to come out of FCM. On their first visit to Los Angeles, we were lucky enough to link up with this incredible group and play a friendly match against them at our home.

The story begins nearly one year ago, when one of the sauciest French players stumbled upon the Sunday Pickup game and quickly became a VBFC regular and standout personality. Moises Fadiga who you’ll see rocking Yeezy’s while doing step-overs , who was raised in the Montfermeil district and had connections back to the club. Early in 2020, Moises mentioned the film and that the team would be coming over to support around the Oscars. However, no logistics or anything definite was set in stone prior to the club’s arrival on Oscar weekend. The night prior to their arrival, Moises texted and said “you will be at Oakwood tomorrow at 12? The club will come by.” We didn’t know what to expect at all, and assumed maybe a few players would come by for an informal meet and greet. At 12pm that Saturday, a greyhound bus pulled up, filled with a full 18-man squad, trainers, media, the club president, DOC, and traveling supporters. VBFC’s Oakwood Soccer League had just finished, and we had dozens of our youth players and families there already. We quickly set up a large 7 v 7 field, and put together a squad between the Venice High varsity team, VBFC coaching staff and some of our Sunday’s best players to compete against a group of U-18 professional prospects. These boys were full-grown men, some of whom already had French Youth National Team experience.

The VBFC staff, players, and families were beyond excited as they rolled out of the bus and into the park, blasting French hip-hop through a speaker for their entrance. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and you could feel that some footballing magic was about to unfold. Everyone met and greeted each other, mingled, and the players suited up to play. As the players took to the field, a professional walk-out was arranged, with both the French and American national anthems being played, followed by the Champions League’s anthem to set the stage for a first-of-its-kind game in Oakwood Rec. Center. It truly felt like soccer history in the neighborhood of Venice. French international talent and some of VBFC’s finest stood to play a full 90 minute game in front of the neighborhood community. The match started and both teams immediately took to the occasion and began to show out. Montfermeil’s talent became apparent immediately with the footballing magic of a nation fresh off a World Cup title inspiring the minds of every player on their team. Music blasted throughout the entire match, with a fresh French afro-beats playlist being controlled by the traveling supporters.

Venice Beach FC, however, with a home-field advantage, pulled away with two early goals. But within 15 minutes, Montfermeil had settled into the game and began physically testing the VBFC team and controlling possession. Pressure from stand outs Ryan Arambula and Alex Lalor, forced the French boys to play their best, while Michael Rosario kept it calm at the back defensively. Each team had their opportunities, and the score quickly climbed and remained close throughout the game. Every goal from the French side was followed by a full-blown celebration amongst the subs and fans, complete with scripted dancing and team selfies. Venice High school varsity players got a fresh taste of the talent that exists on the other side of the world, with players their age demonstrating a level many of them will work hard to achieve. It opened their eyes to a new ceiling. Returning from injury was Nick Santhiago, Venice native and VBFC OG, who shook off the rust and showed his technical and passing ability in the midfield throughout the game. VBFC Youth prospect, Gera Flores (12 years old) was given his first team debut. You’ve never seen such ferocity and fearlessness in a kid in all your life. Gera threw caution to the wind, flying into slide-tackles against 6’2 French-African ballers, winning 50-50s and distributed the ball with quality.

At the end of 90 minutes, the game was all square and both teams were forced into golden-goal extra-time. True to his spirit, Antonio de Rossi - reserve team captain - arrived on his bike trailer seconds before the extra-time whistle blew, and immediately subbed himself into the game. No one questioned it. Both teams came out firing and wanted to be crowned champs of the first friendly of its kind on US soil. Montfermeil shots zipped wide and high, threatening to break the dead-lock, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Right on cue, Antonio began to show the Santos Laguna quality in his blood, as he demanded the ball from his VBFC teammates. With minutes remaining in extra time, Ryan Arambula picked out a through ball to Antonio, who calmly megged the FC Montfermeil keeper to claim the golden-goal winner for VBFC. The VBFC kids rushed the field, and both sides celebrated this very special moment. You couldn’t have scripted it.

VBFC and Montfermeil created a bond that day that we believe will last a lifetime. For most of the French visitors there that day, it was their first time in the United States, and for Venice, it was the first international friendly held at Oakwood Rec. Center. The fans, players, and staff on both sides shared a memory that won’t soon be forgotten. VBFC will continue to remain close with the Montfermeil and is looking forward to sharing exciting news about more collaborations with Montfermeil in the future. And who knows - maybe a VBFC youth player will make their way to France to embark on a new journey in the game.

We are eternally grateful to Moises Fadiga, the French consulate, and the FC Montfermeil family for their graciousness and class during their visit. We cannot wait to be with them again.

FC Montfermeil visits Venice Beach FC