Adam Pfeifer, Vermont Green FC Players React to U.S. Open Cup Victory
Adam Pfeifer, Vermont Green FC Players React to U.S. Open Cup Victory
History was written on a chilly Vermont pitch on Tuesday evening
History was made in Vermont on Tuesday evening as the Green upset USL League One’s Lexington SC in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Vermont got off to a roaring start scoring three goals in the first 30 minutes including two goals off of corners. It was a dream start for The Green who entered the half with a 3-1 lead.
But Lexington fought back with Cameron Lancaster tallying a second-half brace and making it a 4-3 game after Vermont captain Jake Ashford scored in the 50th minute. The Green had to lock down defensively for the last 20 minutes and that was exactly what they did.
“I think history was made and I’m so happy to be a part of it,” said outside back Bernardo Prego. “I think we really deserved this win and I really really think that we can go far in this tournament because our team is really good.”
Even with Lexington charging forward trying to get a win, goalkeeper Nathan Schnur (who made an impressive save towards the end of the match) wasn’t feeling the pressure as he knew he had capable defenders ahead of him.
“As stressful as it is, knowing the guys in front of me, Zach Barrett, Jake Ashford, threw wasn’t a moment of panic,” the goalkeeper told The Blazing Musket after the match. “We were well capable of holding on and just take care of business.”
Throughout the entire match, the Green Mountain Bhoys along with the sold out crowd at Virtue Field was cheering on the Green. For Schnur it was experience unlike any other.
“I have been up here the last two summers, I have never seen this place like that ever.,” he said. “That was unbelievable. We needed every ounce of it, but that was the best.”
Similar to Schnur, Prego believes that catching a match in Burlington is an experience unlike any other in the United States.
“It’s insane,” the Sporting CP Academy product stated. “Since I’ve been here in the U.S. for three years and I’ve never seen an atmosphere like this. This is unreal. It’s amazing. Some amazing fans, amazing support.”
For some Vermont Green starters, it was their first taste of what the crowd is like at a Green game. Former professional and a goal-scorer in the win Jacob Labovitz is already excited to play his next game for the club.
If anyone can appreciate the magic of the Cupset, it is Labovitz who spent some time in USL League One. Head coach Adam Pfeifer also noted how the match served as an opportunity for players to show that they belong playing in the professional ranks
“A lot of these guys, they feel a little insulted that they haven’t gotten jobs yet in professional soccer and I think they gave an unbelievable account of themselves tonight,” the head coach said.
So Vermont’s U.S. Open Cup journey lives on but the memories made from Tuesday’s match will live on forever.