Vermont Green FC won its first-ever international friendly by an emphatic 3-0 margin at Virtue Field. Along with scoring three brilliant goals, Adam Pfeifer’s men preserved another clean sheet which should help boost their confidence going into a crucial league match this weekend.
Williston, Vermont’s very own Oliver Martin opened the scoring in the 16th minute, slotting home a rebound after Alfie Pope’s close-range shot was saved by CS Mont-Royal Outremont’s Gabard Fénélon, the former Haitian national team goalkeeper. Alfie Pope nearly got in on the act himself in the 27th minute when his audacious scissor kick found the top corner, but was called offside.
Just after the half-time break, Pope showed off his acrobatics again — this time onside — as his bicycle kick found the back of the net to give the Green a 2-0 lead. His highlight-reel goal would land him the Maple Man of the Match award.
Late in the second half, Diego Ochoa-Gomez played a delightful ball behind the Outremont backline, right into the path of winger Jordan Saint-Louis. Saint-Louis played a low, hard cross to Krioutchenkov, who poked it home. It was a brilliantly worked team goal that put the match out of reach.
For the final 10 minutes of the match, the Green looked in complete control. Outremont’s best chance came in the 90th minute, forcing a great save from Nathan Schnur. It was his fifth and final save of the night.
On the whole, Pfeifer’s men managed the match with maturity and composure, absorbing a handful of counterattacks and controlling the tempo.
Vermont Green FC handled its first international opponent well. It’s been a wonderful start to the 2023 season, but all the focus now shifts to the defending Northeast division champions, Seacoast United. The derby match is this Saturday at 6pm at Virtue Field. Tickets are on sale now.
Photos:
Credit: Spenser Powell
The next home match is a league matchup vs Seacoast United on Saturday, June 3 at 6pm. Tickets are on sale now.