A Night of Dominance at Virtue Field
Vermont Green FC cemented their place at the summit of the USL2 table with a commanding 5‑0 victory over second‑placed NEFC in front of a sold‑out crowd of 2,500 fans at Virtue Field. The win not only extended the Green’s unbeaten start to seven matches but also showcased the depth and attacking firepower that has become a hallmark of the side this season.
From the opening whistle the Green pressed forward with intensity, and it took just 24 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Samson Kpardeh set up Diego Rosas for the opening goal. Ten minutes later, a perfectly timed cross from Trym Linberg found David Ajagbe, doubling the lead and sending the home side into the half‑time break with a 2‑0 advantage.
The second half saw the Green continue to carve out chances, with Rosas again playing the provider, this time threading a pass to Kpardeh in the 45th minute to make it 3‑0. Midfielder Ryan Zellefrow added a fourth in the 48th minute, and the scoring was completed when Marco Dos Santos converted a penalty in the 74th minute, sealing a 5‑0 result.
Head Coach Chris Taylor’s selection reflected both confidence and necessity, naming a starting XI that blended experience with youthful vigor. Goalkeeper Seth Wilson was solid between the posts, while a back line of Brandon Marshall and Nick McHenry at centre‑back, Trym Linberg at right back and Riley Moloney on the left provided stability. Midfielders Connor Miller, Tyler Caton and Zellefrow controlled the tempo, allowing the wingers Kpardeh and Rosas the freedom to attack.
The match also marked the return of Shakir Nixon, who made his first appearance since the U.S. Open Cup First Round, adding another option for the Green as the game wore on. With the victory, Vermont Green FC now turns its attention to a highly anticipated showdown with the 2024 National Champions Seacoast United on Tuesday at 7 p.m., a fixture that could further cement their early‑season dominance.