Vermont Green defeated Flint City Bucks 2:1 in the USL League Two final on Friday night to claim the championship. The match ended after three second-half goals, with two penalties proving decisive for the visitors. Flint City had taken the lead before Vermont Green turned the tie around.
E. Jones gave the hosts the advantage in the 62nd minute, catching the visitors off-guard. The goal built on Flint City's recent momentum, having gone unbeaten in five matches including four victories. By then the crowd at the stadium sensed the home side might complete the job.
Vermont Green responded with clinical efficiency from the spot. M. Paiva equalised in the 64th minute from a penalty, and R. Zellefrow sealed the victory with another spot-kick in the 76th. And here's the thing — both visiting goals came from penalties, which changed the character of the final entirely.
Both sides arrived in the final in impressive form. Flint City had won their last four matches, including a 4:0 victory over Peoria and a 2:0 win against Buffalo. Vermont Green were equally dominant, scoring 23 goals in five games while conceding just seven, including a 7:1 demolition of Laredo Heat.
To be fair, the result reflected Vermont Green's ability to protect a lead rather than dominate possession throughout. The visitors turned to their set pieces when open play failed them, and both penalties were converted with certainty. The final whistle confirmed Vermont Green as champions, extending their unbeaten run to five matches.