Vermont Green FC upsets Portland Hearts of Pine in US Open Cup

Defending USL League Two champions advance to second round with 1-0 victory

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:24am

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In a first-round U.S. Open Cup match, the Vermont Green FC, the defending USL League Two champions, defeated the Portland Hearts of Pine 1-0 on Tuesday night in Burlington, Vermont. David Ismail scored the lone goal for Vermont in the 40th minute, converting a rebound after a shot by Marco Dos Santos was saved by Hearts keeper Hunter Morse.

Why it matters

The upset victory over the Hearts, who reached the third round of the U.S. Open Cup last season, is a significant achievement for the smaller Vermont Green FC program. It highlights the depth of talent in the lower professional leagues and the unpredictability of cup competitions.

The details

Vermont controlled the match, limiting Portland to just one shot on goal. The Green took the lead late in the first half on a 3-on-2 counterattack, with Dos Santos' initial shot being saved before Ismail tapped in the rebound. Vermont's roster includes five players who won an NCAA title with the University of Vermont in 2024, and the team was undefeated in 14 matches last year in USL League Two.

  • The match took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026 in Burlington, Vermont.
  • Portland opened its USL League One season with a 3-1 road win against the New York Cosmos on Saturday.

The players

David Ismail

Scored the game-winning goal for Vermont Green FC in the 40th minute.

Marco Dos Santos

Took the initial shot that led to Ismail's goal for Vermont Green FC.

Niklas Herceg

Goalkeeper for Vermont Green FC who recorded the clean sheet.

Hunter Morse

Goalkeeper for Portland Hearts of Pine.

Emiliano Terzaghi

Second-half substitute for Portland Hearts of Pine who had the team's lone shot on goal.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been the underdogs going into this match, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to get the result.”

— Marco Dos Santos, Midfielder, Vermont Green FC

What’s next

Vermont Green FC will advance to the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, while Portland Hearts of Pine will turn their focus back to USL League One play.

The takeaway

The upset victory by the smaller Vermont Green FC program over the more established Portland Hearts of Pine highlights the unpredictability and excitement of the U.S. Open Cup, where lower-division clubs can pull off surprising results against their higher-level counterparts.