Our Cup Runneth Over
In the end, it was 30 minutes too many for us to handle. Sure we were able to go the distance against Lexington, but they underestimated us and the opening 5 minute gut punch by The Green set the tone for players and fans. Carolina Core we’re ready for us. They did NOT take us lightly and I truly believe that their “in season” stamina is what pushed them past the Boys in Green once our legs started to go in the second half. We lost. But we lost on our feet and fought to the end. There were chances not converted and the less said about the officiating the better. What does need to be said and shouted out by every supporter of this club, whether they are here in Vermont or far across the globe is that We have arrived.
We went toe to toe with a team full of players who are just a step away from being in an MLS squad. We got to show our passion for our team and people all over the world noticed. We were fawned over on social media. Our fan base is the envy of almost every club in USL2. All 128 of them.
It has taken me a couple of weeks to really get my thoughts in order and sort out my feelings on the brand new, for us, experience of being a part of the US Open Cup. The biggest take away is that I love it. It’s janky in the best way possible. It’s teams having to wait to use the field because a high school lacrosse practice went long. It’s burrito joints taking on paid pros and winning. It’s not a slick, shiny PRODUCT. It is an encapsulation of what the vast majority of soccer played in America is and that makes it beautiful. This isn’t fans, or should I say “customers”, of American exceptionalism that MLS thinks it is. The Cup is meritocracy in action and that is why Vermont Green FC should aim to be a part of it EVERY YEAR. It lets us show off how much we have grown as a soccer state and show off our supporter culture and the unbridaled joy we have for our boys in victory or defeat.
We as fans are so lucky to have had this Open Cup experience and to be able to look ahead at Vermont Green’s regular season with anticipation and excitement. Let’s keep watching the open cup and cheering for the underdogs (I’m looking at you Union Omaha). Let’s get fired up for The Boys in Green and fill Virtue Field with all the energy and love that this great state has.
With love from all the Bhoys
UTFG