Vermont Green FC are set to face Northeast Division Champions and nationally top-ranked Seacoast United Phantoms on Sunday night in the Round of 16 of the USL League Two Playoffs. It will be the third match between the two New England clubs this season, and while Seacoast United Phantoms will look to further tighten their grip on the Twin State Derby, the Vermonters will fight to have the last laugh. A spot in the quarterfinals is on the line.
HISTORY
Vermont Green and Seacoast United have met six times in their young rivalry, with the Phantoms holding the edge, winning five times, including sweeps of Vermont in 2022, and 2024.
The back-to-back-to-back Northeast Division champions defeated the Green 3-1 in Epping in June of this year, and then spoiled the party at Virtue Field in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.
PHANTOMS IN FOCUS
Seacoast United is a youth and semi-professional soccer club based in Epping, New Hampshire, serving the coastal region of the state. The club’s USL League Two outfit, known as The Phantoms, have been playing competitive professional and semi-professional soccer since 1996.
The New Hampshirites bring experience and grit that is unrivaled in the league, having won three straight titles in the USL League Two Northeast Division, and making playoff runs in recent years. The Phantoms have thrived in New England and beyond under the guidance of Head Coach Alex Ryan, who has mastered a style of play that gets the best out of his squad, particularly his attacking core.
Seacoast United Phantoms finished the 2024 season 13-1-0, the best record in the nation, and spent the majority of the season ranked at the very top of USL League Two’s 128 teams.
THE HEALY & CONDE SHOW, pt. III
In July, we wrote this:
“In June, we wrote this:
One piece of the Seacoast United squad that Adam Pfeifer’s men will have to contend with on Sunday will be New Hampshire-native Taig Healy. The tricky, skillful number 10 has been a thorn in the side of the Vermonters since 2022, and his stature in the USL League Two landscape has soared since then. Paired up with University of New Hampshire teammate Ibrahim Conde, it will take a disciplined, focused performance from the Green back line to keep these attacking threats in check.
Consider this as valid as it ever was. The Green defense will need to keep these two in check if they have a chance at claiming the points on Sunday.”
It may be meta, but what was true in June, was true in early July, and will be true in the playoffs. Vermont Green’s defense must find a way to keep the Phantoms off the scoresheet if they want to advance to the next round.
LABOVITZ RENAISSANCE
On Friday afternoon, Jacob Labovitz played the role of hero, scoring three goals for the Green against perennial contenders Long Island Rough Riders. Vermont Green FC need big moments from big players, and Labovitz is capable of delivering those moments. If the Green are to edge their twin state rivals, the continued renaissance of the former professional Jacob Labovitz may be the key.
STREAM THE MATCH