Playoff Match Report: Vermont Green FC 0-3 Seacoast United

The 2024 Vermont Green FC season came to an end on Sunday night in Ocean City, NJ, as the Green fell to top-ranked Seacoast United Phantoms by a score of 3-0 in the Round of 16.

Adam Pfeifer made no changes to the lineup that defeated Long Island on Friday. Jahiem Wickham was the first name on the teamsheet again, minding the net for the Green. In the backline, the captain Moussa Ndiaye paired with his comrade Reid Fisher at center back. They were flanked by Nathan Siméon and Nick Lockermann at right and left back respectively. Daniel Pacella made his return to the starting lineup alongside Sam Layton in midfield, with Zach Zengue and Jackson Castro playing wide. Yaniv Bazini and Jacob Labovitz paired as strikers to complete the starting group.

The match started with the heavy challenges that fans have come to expect from the Twin State Derby, with multiple yellow cards being issued in the first five minutes of the match. The first half was a back and forth affair, Seacoast held the slight edge in possession and chances, but the Green were able to keep themselves in the match.

The first half ended goalless.

In the 69th minute of the match, a challenge from Moussa Ndiaye on Seacoast’s Zemedkun Rodriguez was called a penalty. Ibrahim Conde stepped up to the spot and scored the opener, just past the fingertips of Wickham.

Vermont Green FC had to adjust to fight their way back into the match, bringing on Drechsler and Ibrahim after the opening goal. Ultimately, the tired legs of the Vermonters—playing a third match in just six days—were unable to battle back in, and the all-in gamble led to counter-attack goals from the Northeast Division Champions in the 77th and 90th minute. The top-ranked team in the country showed why they’re 14-1-0 on the season, and the favorites to win the national championship.

Our boys fought hard until the very end, as they always do, but our season ended in Ocean City. We will continue to reflect on this remarkable season in the coming days.

Thank you to all of the fans who made the trip to support the boys in Ocean City. We have so many more thank yous to give as we enter the off-season, but for now: to all of the people that continue to build this club alongside us, with love, compassion, and community pride, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

See you soon!