Vermont Green FC will host professional club Carolina Core FC of MLS NEXT PRO on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:00pm in the Second Round of the historic U.S. Open Cup. The High Point, North Carolina–based club will be the second professional club to visit Virtue Field in as many weeks. Vermont Green FC are one of only eight amateur clubs remaining in the single-elimination tournament, and will look to defy the odds again to advance to the Third Round.

THE OPPONENT

Carolina Core FC competes in MLS NEXT PRO, an affiliate league of Major League Soccer with 29 clubs. Founded in 2022 in High Point, NC, the Core is currently competing in its inaugural season as one of MLS NEXT PRO’s two independent professional clubs. They are not a reserve team for any other professional clubs.

The Carolinians defeated Northern Virginia FC of USL League Two in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup by a score of 3-2.

MLS NEXT PRO is recognized as the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. The Green compete in USL League Two, a semi-professional summer league, recognized as the fourth tier.

USMNT EXPERIENCE LEADING THE WAY

Despite being a new club, Carolina Core FC have no lack of experience at the helm. U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer and Carolina Core FC Chief Sporting Officer Eddie Pope will be in attendance at Virtue Field. Pope is a three time MLS Cup Champion with DC United and won the U.S. Open Cup in 1996. A High Point native, Pope was a regular in the U.S. National Team, and participated in three FIFA World Cups in 1998, 2002, and 2006. A bonafide legend of the game in the United States, let alone North Carolina, Pope is leading the line for the MLS NEXT PRO side, and has hired a sporting staff of serious pedigree.

Eddie Pope, U.S. Men's National Team legend, now Chief Sporting Officer at Carolina Core FC

ROY LASSITER’S VISION

The Core’s star-powered back office invested heavily in an eye-catching sporting staff. Pope named Roy Lassiter as the Head Coach of the fledgling club. The Washington, DC-native made a name for himself as a player, winning MLS Cup in 1999 and earning 34 caps with the United States National team between 1992 and 2000.

Lassister has built his staff with an experienced group that includes MLS veterans Amado Guevara and Donovan Ricketts, centurians for their respective national teams of Honduras and Jamaica. Pope has recruited a talented young squad of professional players from around the world for the club’s first campaign.

Roy Lassiter is one of the best forwards to ever play in Major League Soccer. He has 34 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team.

THE GREEN APPROACH, PART 2

A Cupset can be a once-in-a-lifetime feat, but the Vermonters will attempt to slay another Goliath on Wednesday. Riding the moment, the Boys in Green have only one focus: carrying the hopes of Vermonters everywhere one step closer to the nation’s top soccer prize: the U.S. Open Cup.

HOLDING THE GREEN LINE

Adam Pfeifer’s game plan to advance in the U.S. Open Cup will rely heavily on the strength of his back line, a group that will have to endure a high-energy attack from the Carolinian visitors. One standout from the First Round was Portugese right back Bernardo Prego, who played his part pristinely in Vermont Green FC’s 4-3 win over Lexington SC. To his left will likely be centerback duo and University of Vermont companions Zach Barrett and Jake Ashford. The centerbacks will be looking to match their valiance (and goalscoring) from two weeks ago.

Portuguese right back Benny Prego will hope to light up the right side with his pace and skill.

THE THIRTEENTH PLAYER: VERMONT WEATHER

While the twelfth player remains the raucous, dedicated fans that pack Virtue Field’s bleachers to the brim and beyond, Vermont Green FC may have yet another loyal ally in their corner: the elements. The majority of the Green’s roster have experience playing in Vermont and New England, a forecasted blast of heavy snow during Wednesday’s match could work in their favor. The Vermonters hope to use the fury of the North as a thirteenth player and to give the Core a frigid welcome to the Green Mountains.

PACK VIRTUE FIELD

Once more, the biggest factor of this massive Second Round contest will not be on the pitch. With more than 2,500 fans set to fill the bleachers and more watching from the surrounding hills, fences, and dorm rooms, Vermont’s underdog soccer community will be the power behind a club punching above its weight class. To claim a second, unprecedented win in the U.S. Open Cup, the fans will need to embrace the storm and bring their loudest and proudest selves to the Virtue Field.

Tickets are still available at www.tickets.vermontgreenfc.com. The match will be streamed on www.uslsoccer.com/watch.