Vermont Green FC Returns to Form With Win Over Black Rock FC
The Green needed a win on Tuesday evening
After a disappointing draw against Pathfinder FC, Vermont Green FC got back to its winning ways on Tuesday evening against Black Rock FC.
Adam Pfeifer shuffled his starting XI with Jaheim Wickham getting the start in net behind a back line of Gabe Threadgold, Sjur Drechsler, Reid Fisher, and Lucas Windschauer. After experimenting with a 4-1-4-1, Pfeifer returned to the 4-2-3-1 that has defined The Green’s style of play in its infancy. Moussa Ndiaye and Sam Layton served as defensive midfielders with Zachary Zengue playing in his usual No. 10 position.
Jackson Castro and Xavi O’Neil were on the wings while Yaniv Bazini was the lone striker up top.
Threadgold got the first true goal-scoring chance in the 9th minute as Bazini found him streaking down the flank. Threadgold was all alone in on the goalkeeper but his shot rocketed straight toward the netminder. The outside back had another chance in the 43rd minute but failed to find the back of the net.
The Green had another missed opportunity in the 28th minute as Zengue forced a turnover and laid a ball off to Castro. Similar to his accuracy on Saturday, Castro failed to get his shot on target as it clipped off the side netting.
Around this point in the first half, Vermont found its form. The Green were able to maintain possession and Bazini nearly scored the first goal of the night. The striker chested down a cross in the center of the box but a great save kept the striker off the scoresheet.
From here on out Vermont controlled the game but they still entered the half tied with both sides failing to score. With eight shots (seven on target) in the first half alone, The Green were simply missing the finishing touch required to score. This issue has plagued Vermont in the early days of the 2024 campaign.
Vermont eventually found the back of the net in the 53rd minute and it was the magic man in the middle who would score his third goal of the season. O’Neil played a ball across the box and Zengue initially had his shot stopped but muscled home the rebound.
Zengue has been amazing in the attack for The Green. So far this season he has controlled the game in the midfield and has been the best player for Pfeifer’s side. His passing and overall skill are top-tier.
Black Rock nearly evened the score with a beautiful curling free kick but the shot rocketed off the crossbar in the 57th minute.
In the 72nd minute, Ernest Bawa replaced Castro while up top Bazini was replaced by Jacob Labovitz. Black Rock managed to control the game as Vermont looked to see out the win.
The Green had two golden chances late in the second half to add to their lead but failed to convert. O’Neil bombed down the wing and had Labovitz and Bawa trailing towards the far post but opted to take a shot that wound up being saved. Vermont also nearly converted once again on a corner kick as Fisher was able to win a cross that was headed back towards the near post to his fellow center back Drechsler but the Norwegian couldn’t get his head on the ball.
But luckily for The Green that would not matter as they managed to hold on to the 1-0 win. They now sit at the top of the Northeastern division, albeit with the Western Mass Pioneers and Seacoast United having a game in hand on the Vermont club.
The Green go again on Saturday when they face AC Connecticut at home at 6 pm.