USOC Recap: Vermont Green 1 - Carolina Core FC 2
Vermont Green's inaugural US Open Cup run comes to an unfortunate end.
Vermont Green returned to action Wednesday evening as they hosted MLS NEXT Pro newcomers Carolina Core FC in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Head coach Roy Lassiter and Carolina found themselves in Round Two after securing a 3-2 victory over Northern Virginia FC thanks to goals from Drake Hadeed, Drake Polanco, and Josuha Rodriguez.
Adam Pfeifer and Vermont Green FC entered the second round after kicking off their 2024 campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over USL League One side Lexington Sporting Club in Round One with goals from Zach Barrett, Nick Lockerman, Jacob Labovitz, and Jake Ashford.
Pfeifer made one change from the lineup that pulled off the cupset over Lexington. Nathan Schnur started in goal behind the backline of Nick Lockerman, Jake Ashford, Zach Barrett, and Bernardo Prego. Pearse O’Brien, Moussa Ndiaye, Rodrigo Vaza, and Sydney Wathuta comprised the midfield as Yaniz Bazini and Jacob Labovitz provided the attack.
Schnur came up big for Vermont in the 12th minute as he dove onto the ball as Carolina advanced into Vermont’s box.
Fortune turned in Vermont Green’s favor in the 27th minute after Ibrahim Covi took Bazani down inside the box, which awarded Vermont a penalty and a chance to find the game’s opening goal. Bazini stepped to the spot as he sent a right-footed shot to the bottom-right corner to give Vermont Green a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.
Schnur stood on his head in the 33rd minute as he made an incredible save to prevent Jacob Evans’ long-ranged shot from finding the back of the net. Schnur again came up clutch for Vermont in the 52nd minute as he made himself big to stop Papa Ndoye’s close-range header on the corner kick.
A golden opportunity went Carolina’s way in the 58th minute after the referee awarded them a penalty kick after Zach Barrett took Joshua Rodriguez down inside the box. Ndoye stepped up to the spot and slotted a left-footed shot into the upper half of the net to level the game at one apiece in the 60th minute.
Vermont's first change came in the 68th minute as Mark O’Neil replaced Pearse O’Brien.
In the 70th minute when Schnur stopped Jathan Juarez’s close-range shot, he couldn’t get a grip on the ball as the ball rebounded into the box. Joshua Rodriguez got onto the end of the loose ball and slotted it into the net to give Carolina Core their first lead of the evening with 20 minutes left.
Daniel Pacella entered the match in the 77th minute as he replaced Nick Lockerman.
Schnur again came up huge for Vermont in the 77th minute when he got a touch onto David Polanco’s header to keep Carolina’s lead at one.
Tense moments came in the closing moments, as a confrontation in Carolina’s box led to Jacob Labovitz’s night coming to an early end as he received a straight red card for violent conduct. Ibrahim Covi received a yellow card for his role in the clash.
Despite a valiant effort, Vermont Green’s inaugural US Open Cup came to an unfortunate end following a 2-1 loss to Carolina Core FC. Vermont returns to action on May 18th, when they open their 2024 USL League Two campaign on the road against Boston City FC at 7:00 PM ET.