Match Report: Vermont Green FC 1-2 Seacoast United

It was a frustrating afternoon at Virtue Field for Vermont Green FC, as they fell to top-ranked Seacoast United Phantoms 2-1 in front of a sold out crowd. Sam Layton opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark, but an equalizer just before half-time led to a second half winner for the New Hampshire club. Vermont Green FC are now 8-2-2 and fighting for a playoff spot with two matches left in the USL League Two season.

Adam Pfeifer deployed a familiar Starting XI for the derby, starting with Jahiem Wickham in goal. In defense were Bernardo Prego, Reid Fisher, Moussa Ndiaye the captain, and Gerardo Castillo. Rodrigo Vaza alongside Sam Layton made up the holding midfield positions, with Jackson Castro, Zach Zengue, and Gabe Threadgold in the attack. Yaniv Bazini started at center forward. 

The match started with the usual intensity of a derby, affected perhaps only by the temperatures that reached the high 80’s, slowing the pace ever so slightly. It was a back and forth affair until the 33rd minute, when Gerardo Castillo’s corner kick found Sam Layton, the Australian header whistled past the goalkeeper. 1-0 Green.

Soon after the goal, Threadgold came off with an injured hamstring, and was replaced by Xavi O’Neil.

Just before the half, Seacoast’s Taig Healy pounced on a turnover in the box and slotted home the equalizer. The teams went to the dressing room all square at 1-1.

At half time, the 2,500 fans (and a few hundred more on the hill) were energized by the words of Senator Bernie Sanders, who applauded the crowd, the team, and the organization during the important match.

In the second half, Sebastian Gebhart, Nick Lockermann, Jacob Labovitz, and Daniel Pacella were all used as substitutes. 

Against the run of play, Marc Dos Santos scored the winner for Seacoast in the 63rd minute, a signature counter attack from the Granite Staters. 

The match would end 2-1 to Seacoast United, all but solidifying their Northeast Division championship. 

Vermont Green FC will return to Virtue Field on Wednesday night, July 10th, at 7pm to take on Boston Bolts, a must win scenario if the Vermonters are to beat out the 3rd place team in the Metropolitan Division for one of the 35 USL League Two playoff spots.

We’ll need your voices again, Vermonters, you have been fantastic all season long. Let’s have a night at Virtue Field and push the boys towards the ultimate goal: playoffs.