Match Report: Vermont Green FC 4-1 Albany Rush

Vermont Green FC scored four hard-earned team goals on Wednesday night in Schenectady, NY to defeat Albany Rush 4-1. Tyler Trimnal, Rui Aoki, Zach Zengue, and Jacob Labovitz were the goalscorers.

The Starting XI for the Green featured multiple changes from Saturday’s victory over Seacoast United, with Head Coach Chris Taylor choosing to rotate players and lean on the depth in his squad. Niklas Herceg started in goal, and Luca Costabile, Rui Aoki, Victor Akoum, and Amoni Thomas held down the backline. Diego Rived earned the start alongside midfielder partner Joseph Picotto, with Marcell Papp sitting in the central attacking midfielder position. The childhood friends from Strasbourg, France—Stephane Njike and Enzo Dovlo—manned the left and right wings, and Tyler Trimnal started up top.

The Vermonters continued their trend of setting the tempo early, moving the ball and pressing the Albany defense. In the 6th minute, Marcell Papp was chopped down in the box after a clever turn, and Tyler Trimnal buried the penalty.

Despite what seemed like it could be the start of an avalanche, Albany Rush dug in defensively, and to their credit, remained dangerous in the counter attack throughout the first half. Shortly before half-time, 18-year old Albany midfielder Lucas Horja found an opening and blasted a shot high past Herceg.

The first half ended 1-1, despite the Green’s domination in possession.

Chris Taylor made one change to start the half: Julien Le Bourdoulous replaced Joseph Picotto.

In the 62nd minute, the French substitute stood over a free kick, before delivering a picture-perfect cross into the box. Awaiting the cross was centerback Rui Aoki, who flew to meet the ball and head it past Albany keeper Bailey Bassett. The winning goal, but not the last for Vermont.

Zach Zengue and Mohammed Ibrahim entered the match for Marcell Papp and Enzo Dovlo at about the hour-mark. Zengue was an instant impact, controlling a pass from Trimnal before slotting it into the bottom corner of the net.

To cap the well-rounded performance, Stephane Njike made a brilliant run down the left touchline, utilizing his skill and trickery to take the ball to the endline and cross for Jacob Labovitz, who’s made a career out of his effectiveness from that distance. 4-1 Vermont.

Zengue and Labovitz both moved up the all-time goalscorer rankings with their tallies tonight. Zengue’s ninth goal positions him third all-time behind teammate Jacob Labovitz, whose 10th competitive goal tonight sits him behind only Yaniv Bazini’s 19.

Vermont Green FC will now turn their attention to Saturday at Virtue Field when they welcome Boston Bolts to the Green Mountains.

Scoring Summary

VGFC: Tyler Trimnal — 6′ (penalty), Rui Aoki — 63′ (assist from Julien Le Bourdoulous), Zach Zengue 65′ (assist from Tyler Trimnal), Jacob Labovitz — 83′ (assist from Stephane Njike).