Vermont Green FC will welcome Black Rock FC to Burlington on Tuesday night for the second meeting between the two sides in less than a week’s time. The Green were victorious on Wednesday in the reverse fixture, winning 2-0 in New Hampshire. After a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s home opener, the Boys in Green have extra motivation to register a win at Virtue Field.
HISTORY
Vermont Green FC and Black Rock FC have played five matches since the Green’s inception, including Vermont’s first ever home match in 2022. Adam Pfeifer’s side have gotten the best of the roving Black Rock, winning 4 of the 5 meetings.
Black Rock has had three different homes in three different states in the past four seasons, and currently resides in New London, NH. Black Rock’s lone victory over Vermont was a 1-0 win in Lake Placid in 2022 that put Vermont’s playoff hopes in peril.
BLACK ROCK IN FOCUS
Black Rock FC was founded in 2013, with a base of operations in Great Barrington, MA. The developmental club has had great success producing talent, including the likes of Leeds United and Everton star Jack Harrison.
They joined USL League Two in 2018, and won the Northeast Division in their first season. Since then the club has moved home stadiums frequently throughout the region, including a stint at Manchester, VT’s Applejack Stadium, where current Vermont Green FC assistant coach Brad Agoos was head coach.
Black Rock FC finished 8th in the Northeast Division in 2023.
UNBEATEN, BUT UNSATISFIED
Vermont Green FC have started the season with two wins and a draw, scoring 6 goals and conceding 1, while registering zero yellow or red cards in 270 minutes of football. After a 1-1 draw in the home opener Saturday, the Boys in Green know that 3 points on Tuesday night are essential if Vermont is to contend for the 2024 Northeast Division title.
MOUNTAINS IN THE BACKLINE
One key to success on Tuesday night will be the continued strength of the backline. Sjur Dreschsler and Reid Fisher have made a big impact, playing in all three games thus far, and the towering center-backs will be determined to secure another clean sheet. The chemistry between the big men has given Manager Adam Pfeifer license to Moussa Ndiaye as a defensive midfielder, where he thrived in the Green’s 2024 U.S. Open Cup matches.
LABOR NIGHT
Tuesday night’s match will be the third annual Labor Night at Vermont Green FC, celebrating and recognizing the contributions of organized labor in our communities, and featuring organizers speaking at half time. Union members are eligible to receive a 15% discount on match tickets.
ON THE CONCOURSE
Come to the match hungry and thirsty! Church Street Cheesesteaks and Jilib Jiblets will be serving food, and Zero Gravity, Shacksbury, and Smugglers’ Notch Distillery will supply the cold beverages. Gates will open 1.5 hours before kickoff at 5:30pm.
WATCH THE MATCH
Vermont Green fans will be able to watch the match on vermontgreenfc.com/streaming. Tickets are still available but won’t be for long. Grab yours at tickets.vermontgreenfc.com.