Alex Hall talks about his assists in Vermont Green’s 6-2 win
Alex Hall shares his thoughts on Vermont Green FC men’s team clinching second straight division title.
Vermont Green FC men’s team is spending the weekend in Texas looking to make it back to the USL League Two final for the second straight season. A trip to Laredo, Texas, comes as a bit of a surprise since the Green were ranked as the top team in the USL League Two’s power rankings all season long.
Vermont Green (16-0-1) completed the first order of business with capturing the Eastern Conference title for the second straight year after defeating Asheville City FC 4-0 on Friday, July 24 in Laredo, Texas. Vermont Green advances to the national semifinal on Sunday, July 26 and faces the winner of Laredo Heat SC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC.
The Green have been cruising in the playoffs outscoring opponents 12-0 with three identical stat lines of 4-0. It’s a much different story from the 2025 playoff run which saw the Green rely on wild second half comebacks.
Four different scores contributed in the win over Asheville City SC. Once again, Vermont found offense early building a 3-0 lead at halftime.
The best goal of the night was the Green’s first goal with the hot duo of Jeremy Francou and Diego Rosas linking up in the third minute.
Read on below for live updates from the match. The most recent in-game updates will be displayed at the top.
Final: Vermont Green FC 4, Asheville City SC 0
That’s it, the Vermont Green FC advances to the National Semifinals for the second straight year after its third straight 4-0 win. The Green bring back some more hardware capturing the Eastern Conference trophy. Four different players scored goals tonight.
88th minute: Vermont Green FC 4, Asheville City SC 0
Andrea Di Blasio leaves his mark scoring Vermont Green’s fourth goal of the night. The Green bust through broken coverage with 3-on-2 and Di Blasio hammers home the shot.
85th minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
An Asheville City player takes down Andrea Di Blasio in the penalty box and the referee awards Vermont a penalty kick and hands out a red card. David Ajagbe misses the penalty shot after Asheville’s goalie Thomas Viscuso blocks the shot with his legs.
82nd minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
Asheville City has been controlling most of the offensive flow in the second half, but that three goal cushion is making the game feel more boring rather than a nail biter.
72nd minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
We have hit the second hydration break. The stoppage comes on the heels of Asheville’s best look of the night, but the shot sails wide right.
65th minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
Vermont Green makes some substitutions bringing in David Ajagbe and Andrea Di Blasio for Ryan Zellefrow and Jeremy Francou.
62nd minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
An Asheville player picks up a yellow card after a tough tackle on Vermont’s Nikos Clarke-Tosczak along the sideline.
53rd minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
Seth Wilson makes his first save of the night for Vermont, diving to his right to block an Asheville City shot.
50th minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
Asheville has been on the offensive end for the opening five minutes of the half, but the Green’s defense is standing strong.
45th minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
The second half is underway.
Halftime: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
On the road, no problem for Vermont Green building a 3-0 lead in the first half in the third straight game. Hard to believe they are playing better than in 2025. Vermont’s Connor Miller did pick up a yellow card in the final minute of stoppage time. The defense has not allowed a shot on goal in the first half.
38th minute: Vermont Green FC 3, Asheville City SC 0
Make it three straight games where Vermont Green has scored three goals in the first half. Ryan Zellefrow sends a nice pass to a wide open Xavi O’Neil. The newcomer finished off the chance, scoring a beautiful goal.
25th minute: Vermont Green FC 2, Asheville City SC 0
With the temperature being 98 degrees the announcers expected to see a hydration break and that’s exactly what we get! Both teams are huddling up on the far sideline except for two Green players near the stands.
17th: minute: Vermont Green 2, Asheville City SC 0
Asheville City SC are awarded a free kick, but shank the shot over the crossbar for a Vermont goal kick.
8th minute: Vermont Green 2, Asheville City SC 0
Nicholas McHenry capitalizes on a free kick sending the ball over Asheville City’s wall to double Vermont’s lead just eight minutes in.
3rd minute: Vermont Green 1, Asheville City SC 0
Following a stop on the defensive end, Vermont immediately counters. Diego Rosas flicks a pass across the box to Jeremy Francou who scores. Rosas notched his tenth assist of the year and third of the playoffs while Francou continues his hot streak.
The Eastern Conference finals is now underway!!!
Vermont Green FC’s startling lineup
Jeremy Francou, Xavi O’Neil, Ryan Zellefrow, Diego Rosas, Connor Miller, Efe Aror, Nikos Clarke-Tosczak, Nicholas McHenry, Brandon Marshall, Trym Linberg, Seth Wilson.
What watch parties are happening around the state?
Currently, there is a watch party scheduled at Zero Gravity Beer Hall in Burlington. Additionally, all of the Mad Taco locations will also be streaming the game.
Where is Laredo, Texas?
The Laredo Heat SC play its games at PEG Energy Stadium which seats 1,200 fans, located just five miles away from the Mexico border. Laredo, Texas, is located about two-and-half hours south of San Antonio. The weather forecast is calling for temperatures in the mid-90s, providing some other challenges.
How to watch Vermont Green FC versus Asheville City SC
► Site: PEG Energy Stadium in Laredo, Texas
► Dates: Friday, July 24
► Game time: 6:30 p.m. ET
► Stream: Sportsengineplay
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
