Vermont Green FC ventured to Albany, NY on Sunday night to face Albany Blackwatch Rush needing no less than three points to keep their wildcard playoff hopes alive. A dominant first half and a goal-filled second would see to it that Adam Pfeifer’s men left the capital region with a deserved 3-0 win.

The Green started strong from the jump, controlling the game, enjoying the lion’s share of the possession, and creating by far the best and most frequent chances of the two sides. Despite the dominance, the teams would go into the interval tied at zero.

Mere seconds into the game after halftime, Charlie Adams would find the breakthrough for Vermont, finishing confidently from close range with the assist from Jack Cloherty. Two minutes later, an Alfredo Bozalongo freekick would be blocked by Blackwatch keeper James Joyce, but Jack Cloherty pounced on the rebound to setup Jake Ashford to smash it home. In the 90th minute, Alfredo Bozalongo would hit a stunning free kick from just outside of the box to seal the 3-0 win for Vermont.

Vermont Green FC now have two more regular season matches at home to finish out the inaugural USL League Two campaign. Both are crucially important for the club’s playoff hopes. On Wednesday, July 13 the club will face Pathfinder FC on “Labor Night” at Virtue Field before returning on Sunday against playoff-clinched Western Mass Pioneers. The Boys in Green will need the voices of Vermont behind them as they push towards their goal of making the playoffs. Tickets are still available. Up the Green! 

Notes from Albany:

  • “It was a really good performance from the boys to control the tempo for all the 90 minutes. It was good to get the breakthrough early in the second half, and of course to get two assists. We’re already looking forward to the midweek game at home and getting three more points.” said midfielder Jack Cloherty after his two assist performance. 
  • Assistant Coach Chris Taylor had this to say about how the Green carried themselves before and during the match: “It was really professional from our guys in the end. We had a late arrival and had to play on a really small pitch, but they chipped away and stuck to the game plan and the result came.”
  • Norwich, VT native Charlie Adams continues his breakout season, the Winter Tryout attendee now has four goals on the season.
  • Two more Vermonters made their debut for the club in Albany, Riley Urie of West Glover and Ekrem Hadzic of Burlington entered the match late on to help secure the three points.