Green Mountain Magic.
Vermont Green FC stormed back from 0-2 down to defeat FC Motown 3-2 on Sunday evening in one of the most unforgettable matches in club history. Sensational goals from Zach Zengue, Maxi Kissel, and Man of the Match showman Julien Le Bourdoulous sent the 2,700+ fans at Virtue Field into an absolute frenzy. The Green will now host the Eastern Conference Final on Friday.
Chris Taylor’s XI: Niklas Herceg between the sticks. Moussa Ndiaye and Brandon Marshall at center back, flanked by Nathan Simeon at right back, and Victor Akoum on the left. UVM star Ryan Zellefrow coupled with the Norwegian bruiser Eskil Gjerde in the center. The attacking four consisted of Zach Zengue in the central attacking position, with youthful speedsters David Ajagbe and Alexander Hall on each wing. Friday’s hat trick hero Arnaud Tattevin started the match at center forward.
In the opening sequences of the match, FC Motown came out swinging, showing why they were the unbeaten, top ranked club in the country. In the 19th minute, the New Jersey outfit struck first, from close range.
Vermont responded by sending waves of attack into the Motown box in the final moments of the first half, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. It was 1-0 to the visitors at the break.
Just two minutes into the second half, Motown earned a penalty, which they converted. 2-0 Motown.
But the Green had been here before.
Chris Taylor made three changes after the second goal. Enter, Owen O’Malley, Maxi Kissel, and Julien Le Bourdoulous.
What happened next will be remembered for ages in the Green Mountains:
65’ — Le Bourdoulous to O’Malley on the right, he feeds Zengue who finishes from a tight angle. Delightful. The Green are back in it. 1-2.
67’ — Zengue launches a cross from left to right, Alex Hall latches onto it—maybe a shot, maybe a pass—whatever it was, it arrived at the foot of Maxi Kissel who slammed it into the top netting from inches away. 2-2. Level. Could it be?
73’ — David Ajagbe is taken down by the keeper Rutkoswki. Le Bourdoulous steps up to the spot. He was never missing from there. 3-2 Green. Pandemonium at Virtue Field. Joy through the mountains.
Moments later, Kissel headed a cross from Hall into the back of the net…but it was called offside. The Green were not letting up.
Ian Abbey, Diego Rived, and Rui Aoki entered the match to help defend the lead.
Finally, the whistle came and the fans stormed the pitch in celebration. 3-2. A comeback for the ages. What a night at Virtue Field, and what an effort from Chris Taylor’s men.
Vermont Green FC have now gone further in the playoffs than ever before. They are into the Round of 8 and will host the Eastern Conference Final at Virtue Field next Friday, and another trophy is on the line against Lionsbridge FC.
Vermont, let’s keep this dream going. We’re showing the nation just how powerful a community’s support can be.
Tickets for Friday’s Eastern and Southern Conference Finals–a double header at Virtue Field— will go on sale on Wednesday at 10am.
Lineups
Vermont Green FC — Niklas Herceg, Nathan Simeon, Moussa Ndiaye, Brandon Marshall, Victor Akoum, Ryan Zellefrow, Eskil Gjerde, David Ajagbe, Zach Zengue, Alex Hall, Arnaud Tattevin.
Subs — Judewellin Michel, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Brandon Parrish, Diego Rived, Gabe Fernandez, Rui Aoki, Owen O’Malley, Ian Abbey, Maximilian Kissel.
FC Motown — Alan Rutkowski, Elijah Hope, Kenan Hot, Timo Jansen, Micaah Garnette, Joaquin Niehenke, Gabriel Ruitenberg, Maurice Williams, Yigit Kilic, Maximus Barboto, Erick Ruiz.
Subs — Noah Levy, Perry Kingson, Ryan Vaubel, Giacomo Zizza, Matty Acosta, Trey Sheeler, Evan Chomow, El Mahdi Youssoufi.
Scoring Summary
HVH: Gabriel Ruitenberg — 19′ (assist from Joaquin Niehenke), Micaah Garnette — 47′ (penalty).
VGFC: Zach Zengue — 65’ (assist from Owen O’Malley), Maximilian Kissel — 67’ (assist from Alex Hall), Julien Le Bourdoulous — 73′ (penalty).
Maple Man of the Match: Julien Le Bourdoulous
Referees: Randall Kelley (R), Taha Nasser (AR1), Naoufal Hmiddouche (AR2), Jason Weischedel (4th)
Weather: Sunny, 72°F
Attendance: 2,700+ (sold out)
Post Match Quotes
“I think it’s really extraordinary that this small state of Vermont is now one of the leading centers of soccer in the United States of America.” — Senator Bernie Sanders
“Can’t count out Chris Taylor’s boys” — #2 Brandon Marshall
Next Match
The Eastern Conference Final and Southern Conference Final will be played as a double-header on Friday, July 25th at 4pm and 7pm. Vermont Green FC will play at 7pm. A ticket will get you into both matches on Friday. The winners will advance to the National Semifinal on Sunday, July 27th.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday at 10am.
Credit: Patrick McCormack