Kissel’s Late Winner Secures Vermont Green FC’s First USL League Two Title
- Jonathan Turner
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Kissel’s Late Winner Secures Vermont Green FC’s First USL League Two Title
BURLINGTON, Vt. (NSN) — In front of a sold-out Virtue Field and a community that has fully embraced its club, Vermont Green FC captured its first USL League Two championship in dramatic fashion, defeating Ballard FC 2-1 in the 2025 Final presented by VensureHR.
The moment belonged to Maximilian Kissel.
In second-half stoppage time, with the score level and the match seemingly heading for extra time, Kissel slipped behind the Ballard back line and redirected a ball whipped into the box by Zachary Zengue—sealing the win and sending the Green faithful into a frenzy.
It was the second time in eight months that Kissel had scored a title-clinching goal.
“It’s my job. I’m a striker,” said Kissel postmatch. “I’ve got to score. It’s my job to hunt the glory.”
The win capped an undefeated season for Vermont Green and concluded a postseason run filled with comebacks, drama, and late heroics. Head Coach Chris Taylor, who has been with the club since its founding in 2022, called it the most meaningful experience of his career.
“I’m just so humbled that we get to experience this,” said Taylor. “To see people lining up this morning and the line stretching down the street before kickoff — you can’t really describe what the community has given to us this summer. I’m so happy the players got to feel that.”
Le Bourdoulous Named Final MVP
Midfielder Julien Le Bourdoulous was named 2025 USL League Two Final MVP after converting a penalty kick in the 48th minute and orchestrating the attack throughout the match. His composure and work rate helped Vermont control long stretches of the second half.
“When we play at home, the atmosphere is just sensational,” said Le Bourdoulous. “We knew if we attacked that side in the second half, we would get it done.”
A Clash of USL2 Heavyweights
This year’s final brought together two of the league’s best. Vermont Green claimed its first Northeast Division title in dramatic fashion — a 99th-minute comeback against Western Mass Pioneers — then followed it up with three straight come-from-behind playoff wins and a penalty shootout victory to reach its first-ever national final.
Ballard FC, the 2023 national champions, entered the postseason after back-to-back regular season losses. They rebounded in dominant fashion, routing Colorado Storm 6-0 before grinding out three straight 2-1 wins to return to the final for the second time in three years.
“That was the best team we saw all year,” Taylor said of Ballard. “That might’ve been the best USL League Two game I’ve ever been part of in terms of overall quality.”
Final Match Recap
The match started with energy and intensity as both sides tested each other early. Vermont nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute when Arnaud Tattevin found the net, but the goal was called back for offside. He came close again just minutes later, missing just wide.
Ballard settled into the game and nearly scored themselves, but Vermont keeper Niklas Herceg — the hero in the semifinal shootout — stood tall, denying a close-range shot from Joe Dale to keep it 0-0 at the break.
Early in the second half, Vermont won a penalty after Ian Abbey was brought down in the box. Le Bourdoulous buried the spot kick to give the Green a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute.
Ballard answered in the 62nd minute when Omar Yehya delivered a perfect cross to Charlie Kosakoff, who headed home his fourth goal in three games to level the match.
Both sides exchanged blows over the final 20 minutes, with Vermont’s David Ajagbe and Le Bourdoulous each forcing saves from Ballard goalkeeper Stockton Short. Herceg responded with strong stops of his own to maintain the deadlock.
Then came the winner.
In stoppage time, Le Bourdoulous curled in a corner that was cleared only as far as Zengue, who returned it into the box. Kissel broke free and finished, sending Virtue Field into chaos.
Moments later, the whistle blew. Vermont Green FC — unbeaten, battle-tested, and community-backed — were national champions.
A Storybook Finish
“Since the beginning of the year, we’ve won at the last second, we’ve come back, we’ve won on penalties — and now we win like this,” said Le Bourdoulous. “It’s crazy.”
The 2025 USL League Two season ends with Vermont atop the mountain, a club built on community, resilience, and a belief that no moment is too big.
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