Vermont Green FC will host professional club Lexington SC of USL League One on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00pm in the historic U.S. Open Cup. The match will be the first U.S. Open Cup appearance for the Green, and the first time a match will be held in the Green Mountain State in the single-elimination tournament’s 111 year history.

THE OPPONENT

Lexington Sporting Club competes in USL League One, the third tier of professional soccer in the United States. Founded in 2021 in Lexington, KY, the club competed in its inaugural season in 2023, making the club one year younger than Vermont Green FC. The Green compete in USL League Two, a semi-professional summer league, considered the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid.

2024 CONTENDERS

After finishing in ninth place (7-11-14) in USL League One in their inaugural season, Lexington SC have made some noise this offseason with an impressive new coaching staff and a number of big player signings. The headline-making transfer business has the Kentuckians touted as serious contenders to win USL League One in 2024.

EXPERIENCE AT THE HELM: DARREN POWELL

In November, Lexington SC introduced Darren Powell as the club’s new Head Coach. The experienced Nottingham, England native was previously the Director of Player Development and Phil Neville’s First Team Assistant Coach at Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer. He also served as Head Coach of Inter Miami CF II of MLS Next Pro in 2022.

Lexington SC Head Coach Darren Powell with his squad in early March.

MARQUEE SIGNING: CAMERON LANCASTER

Highlighting a bevy of attacking options is USL Championship’s third all-time leading goalscorer and two-time champion Cameron Lancaster.

The 31-year-old forward from London, England recently joined Lexington SC from Kentucky-neighbors Louisville City FC of the USL Championship. In Louisville, he is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 88 goals in 175 appearances, and won the league’s Golden Boot in 2018. A product of Tottenham Hotspur, where he earned one appearance in the Premier League, Lancaster now joins Lexington with a decorated resumé.

View the full Lexington SC roster.

Former Tottenham Hotspurs striker Cameron Lancaster will be a significant attacking threat for Lexington SC.

THE GREEN APPROACH

Despite the differences between the two clubs both in the level on the American soccer pyramid and the time available for preparation, Vermont Green FC will approach the match looking to hold this sling in this David and Goliath tale. Head Coach Adam Pfeifer will field familiar faces as well as new reinforcements for the task at hand. It’s the first match of the calendar year, and Virtue Field will be packed to the gills.

The Vermont Green FC U.S. Open Cup roster will be announced 24 hours prior to kickoff, and published on Vermont Green FC social media channels.

LABOVITZ & BAZINI LEAD THE LINE

Vermont Green FC are not without professional pedigree of their own as former USL League One striker Jacob Labovitz prepares to make his debut for the Green Mountain Boys. The Virtue Field faithful will also welcome back striker Yaniv Bazini (University of Vermont). The forward is coming off high-production seasons in USL League Two and collegiate play. The strike partnership will look to cause problems for the visitors on Tuesday night. If the two forwards can gel quickly, their partnership could ignite an upset.

Yaniv Bazini, who scored 6 goals in 5 appearances in 2023, will lead the line for Vermont.

RETURN OF THE CAPTAIN

As the Green Mountain State prepares for its biggest soccer stage yet, the underdog Green will look to club captain Jake Ashford to lead the way on the pitch. The former Creighton and University of Vermont defender has been club captain since 2022, and his leadership will be invaluable if the Vermonters are to advance in the tournament.

Jake Ashford (left) will be an important piece of the puzzle if Vermont are to pull off an historic upset.

PACK VIRTUE FIELD

The biggest factor of this titanic contest in the Green Mountains may not be on the pitch. With more than 2,500 fans set to fill the bleachers and surrounding hills, Vermont’s burgeoning and enthusiastic soccer scene once again has the potential to punch above its weight. The U.S. Open Cup is finally here. To win on this stage, the fans will need to bring their loudest and proudest selves to the stadium on Tuesday night. History awaits.

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