Vermont Green FC upset Portland Hearts of Pine in U.S. Open Cup

Vermont wins the primary spherical of an area soccer rivalry with Maine: Whereas Burlington, Vermont in March may not look like the perfect setting for a high-stakes soccer sport — the temperature at kickoff was 19 levels — it performed host to a first-of-its-kind rivalry on Tuesday evening.

Vermont Inexperienced FC, primarily based in USL League Two, confronted off in opposition to Portland Hearts of Pine (from USL League One) in a U.S. Open Cup matchup. It was an unprecedented New England conflict between golf equipment two golf equipment that have been each based within the final 5 years.

Vermont, taking part in at residence in entrance of a offered out Advantage Discipline crowd, entered the match having won the league in 2025. Portland, which began play as a club a year ago, made it to the USL League Two semifinals in its inaugural season.

Each groups have already established sturdy fan cultures, and the northern New England tie-ins sign the makings of a possible native rivalry.

This idea was additional helped by the truth that Vermont, regardless of taking part in in a decrease tier of the U.S. soccer pyramid, pulled off the upset in opposition to Portland. Vermont ahead David Ismail (who additionally performed for the College of Vermont) swept residence the sport’s solely objective on a rebound within the fortieth minute.

And due to a well-organized defensive construction, the house staff held on for a 1-0 win in opposition to their Maine counterparts.

USL League Two champions Vermont Inexperienced break the impasse in opposition to Portland Hearts of Pine within the #USOC 🟢💫 pic.twitter.com/dNqTCvhCgG

— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) March 17, 2026

“That’s a extremely good staff that we made look somewhat bit extraordinary to be trustworthy,” Vermont head coach Chris Taylor stated, per Alex Abrami of The Burlington Free Press. “That’s a credit score to the gamers, to not disrespect Hearts.”

Taylor defined that he mixed a counterattack-based system together with his roster (which by the character of a USL League Two staff consists largely of faculty gamers).

“We undoubtedly annoyed them. We have been allowed to take a seat again on this sport,” Taylor added, “which performed into our palms. We felt that if we put 10 of the perfect school soccer gamers within the nation behind the ball, it’s going to be onerous to interrupt them down.”

Vermont will play its subsequent opponents (nonetheless to be decided) within the second spherical of the U.S. Open Cup on both March 31 or April 1.

Trivia: What three nations in South America have received the World Cup?

(Reply on the backside).

Trace: One is the defending champion, one has received the World Cup 5 occasions, and the third hasn’t received it since 1950.

Scores and schedules:

The Bruins misplaced to the Canadiens 3-2 in extra time on Tuesday. Boston will play the Jets at TD Backyard on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Additionally on Tuesday, the Fleet misplaced to the Sceptres 2-0 at Agganis Enviornment.

Tonight, the Celtics host the Warriors at 7 p.m.

And on the worldwide stage, the World Baseball Basic concluded on Tuesday evening with Venezuela upsetting the favored U.S. 3-2 within the remaining. It’s Venezuela’s first WBC title.

Extra from Boston.com:

Highlights from the World Baseball Basic: Venezuela stayed the course and pulled off a memorable upset of Crew USA.

On today: In 1995, Michael Jordan introduced he was returning to basketball after his temporary foray into baseball, doing so with the iconically easy two-word press launch: “I’m again.”

“I’m again.”

25 years in the past as we speak, Michael Jordan used two phrases to announce he was returning to the NBA 👏 pic.twitter.com/uNDxEWYXhj

— ESPN (@espn) March 18, 2020

Every day spotlight: Ceddanne Rafaela made a diving catch for the Purple Sox in a spring coaching sport on Tuesday.

Ceddanne Rafaela lays out and tumbles to make a pleasant seize! pic.twitter.com/y3YmHZQ0cW

— MLB (@MLB) March 17, 2026

Trivia reply: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay