The USL 2 Playoffs Begin Here
Virginia Beach United Set to Host First Postseason Game in Franchise History
By Joey Harrington
The 2024 season for Virginia Beach United has been riddled with firsts. Starting with the signing of Chris Mills as Head Coach for VBU, the first USL coaching opportunity for the former Virginia Wesleyan coach. With Mills, VBU underwent a major culture shift brought along by the coach. A team that had seen a lot of progress the season prior, with its first winning season in franchise history at 6-1-5, was now looking to take the next step and seek the next step towards a title. The 2024 season also saw firsts for much of the local talent that got on board to help support the team. Players like Wilkinson, Leiding, Ruddy, Kieran, and Maloney all made a return to the Blue and Red but players like Moody and Taylor, were fresh faces with extensive collegiate and semi-professional experience. Several other players, majority of whom are from local colleges, joined the fold as well such as Potter, Stoffle, McCloskey, and Wayland. The team was quickly formed and thrown into the mix right away with four straight league matchups in one and a half weeks to start the season, something no other team in the league faced. The first of which was likely the hardest of all, Lionsbridge FC, who were league runner-ups the season prior.
On that May 11 matchup, the squad played a hard fought match that saw numerous opportunities for the VBU squad but ultimately, the Lionsbridge squad snuck out with a 1-0 win to start of their season. From there, our squad adjusted and went on to win the remaining 3 matches in their four game home stint to get to 3-0-1 on the season, including 2 clean sheets against Charlottesville Blues FC and Nova FC. The squad began to build confidence and move into their first away test against Christos FC, where they once again saw numerous opportunities to score but unfortunately had to settle for a 1-1 draw after an unlikely equalizer was sent just under the top of the post. A blow for the squad, knowing they should’ve won, but confidence was not lost in Mills’ locker room. The squad came home for two friendlies before going back on the road to take on Patuxent FA and Nova FC, both of which resulted in 3 points for the team, making the record 5-1-1 and headed back home for a much anticipated friendly against the DC United U-23 squad, which saw another first, the largest crowd in VBU history, with over 2,000 fans in attendance.
It was at this point the team also began receiving recognition off the field from the local media, with Wavy 10, WTKR channel 3, and 13 News all coming to do pieces on the squad with half a season remaining and title hopes alive. VBU now had more pressure than ever to succeed but didn’t budge, winning their next two matchups with a 2-0 victory against the VA Marauders and a 3-1 redemption win against Christos FC. The boys were now 7-1-1, tied for first in the division, headed to face their rivals once again, this time on the road in Newport News. The July 6 matchup was a heated contest with several cards for both sides. The rivalry had never been more alive in what will likely go down as the most important matchup between the clubs in either’s history. At the end of 90 minutes, the two squads could not be separated with a final score of 2-2, keeping the divisional title race alive for both clubs. Both clubs went on to win their remaining two games, finishing the season off 9-2-1. Lionsbridge was able to scrape past with yet another division title, one that VBU will be looking to avenge in the near future. However, their performance was exemplary would not go unawarded.
Virginia Beach United had gone 11 straight games unbeaten, including an unbeaten record on the road. They had a division low 9 goals scored against, tied for a division high 29 goals for, and a division high 20 goal differential. Due to all of this, they secured their first ever playoff berth, and held the right to host.
Now, VBU is looking to continue their historic season this Tuesday, as they take on SC United Bantams, at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. Mills and Co. will be seeking their first postseason victory in just their first appearance. Now it’s time for you the fans, to make a difference by coming out Tuesday night to support VBU as they continue their fight for USL 2 dominance.
For all of Virginia Beach
One City United
