Vermont Green FC are headed to the 2025 USL League Two Final.
Over 4,000 fans were on hand at (or around) Virtue Field to witness the Green defeat Dothan United 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless contest through extra time. Niklas Herceg made two enormous saves from his line and Alex Hall, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Maxi Kissel, and Owen O’Malley converted from the spot to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Vermont Green will now compete for the ultimate prize at Virtue Field on Saturday, August 2nd at 7pm.
Chris Taylor continued to showcase the strength of his squad, rotating multiple players after a grueling 120 minutes on Friday night against Lionsbridge. The towering netminder Niklas Herceg started behind the indomitable centerback duo of Moussa Ndiaye and Brandon Marshall. Nathan Simeon got the call at right back, and Victor Akoum started at left back. Diego Rived earned his second straight start for the Green, pairing with Ryan Zellefrow in the middle of the park. Brandon Parrish started in the central attacking midfield role with David Ajagbe on the right wing, and Zach Zengue on the left wing. Arnaud Tattevin started up top.
It was a cagey affair in the first half, with the two sides exchanging jabs. The Green found energy in key moments, but the sturdy Dothan defense proved difficult to break down. The Alabamians did not shy away from a fight, even in the face of a roaring home crowd.
The first half ended 0-0.
Alex Hall, Maxi Kissel, Eskil Gjerde, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Gabe Fernandez, and Owen O’Malley were all used as substitutes in the second half, as Chris Taylor continued his strategy of trusting the bench to make an impact.
Despite the possession and chances heavily favoring the Green in the second half, the Dothan defense were able to hold their lines and push the game to extra time. Despite the heavy legs, the Vermonters still had waves of energy deep into the 120th minute, but just could not find the back of the net.
To penalties. The first ever shootout for the men’s team.
Zach Zengue took the first shot, which narrowly missed the top corner. The captain had given everything over 240 minutes of football on Friday and Sunday. But he did not lower his head, and he did not let his teammates lower their heads either.
Enter, Niklas Herceg.
The University of Vermont’s German keeper knows a thing or two about a big tournament, and a big shootout.
Lawrence Goddard struck the first penalty for Dothan, but Herceg stonewalled the former Western Mass Pioneer, getting down low and to his left. No conversions in the first round.
For the next few rounds, the two sides went tit for tat. Hall, Le Bourdoulous, and Kissel all converted confidently, and pumped up the roaring crowd after doing so.
When Dothan’s Joshua Salas stepped up, so did Herceg. The keeper dove to his right, and stopped the ball with an outstretched palm. Virtue erupted. The Green were one conversion away from the USL League Two Final.
Who would step up?
Owen O’Malley. He kissed the ball, placed it on the spot, stared at the keeper straight on, and calmly rolled the ball up the middle. Game over.
Pandemonium.
The Green are going to the USL League Two Final for the first time in club history. The match will be played at Virtue Field on Saturday, August 2nd at 7pm. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, July 30th at 10am.
Lineups
Vermont Green FC — Niklas Herceg, Nathan Simeon, Moussa Ndiaye, Brandon Marshall, Victor Akoum, Ryan Zellefrow, Diego Rived, Brandon Parrish, Zach Zengue, David Ajagbe, Arnaud Tattevin.
Subs — Judewellin Michel, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Maximilian Kissel, Alex Hall, Eskil Gjerde, Rui Aoki, Owen O’Malley, Jacob Labovitz, Gabe Fernandez.
Dothan United — Yago Darub, Jaden Strumeier, Oscar Vallejo, William Noecker, Joshua Hallenberger, Ezra White, Kevin Pierre, Giampaolo Nardi, Lawrence Goddard, Santiago Hoyos, Matthew Everitt
Subs — Jermaine Fordah, Gabriel Villafane, Joshua Salas, Brian Torre, Stefano Campisi, Gabino Morin, Ivan Gonzalez.
Scoring Summary
DUSC: No goals.
VGFC: No goals.
Maple Man of the Match: Niklas Herceg
Referees: Matthew Mercier (R), Andre Carr (AR1), Jason Weishedel (AR2), Colby Johnson (4th)
Weather: Humid, 78°F
Attendance: 2,700 (in-stadium) and at least another 1,000 surrounding the pitch.
Post Match Quotes
“I just love [the fans] so much. They come out every game. They spend so much time, money, dedication…so it’s all for them. Cant wait to be back here and Saturday and hopefully bring another trophy home.” — #12 Owen O’Malley
Next Match
It’s the 2025 USL League Two Final. 144 clubs have been narrowed down to two. On Saturday, August 2nd, Vermont Green FC will host Ballard FC for the ultimate prize.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday at 10am ET.
Credit: Patrick McCormack