VBU Leaves Baltimore with Bittersweet Draw

By Nicholas King — May 30, 2024

On Wednesday night, Virginia Beach United traveled away from the Sportsplex for the first time all year with a single objective: win. The stakes were a little higher than normal, however. A victory at Christos F.C. would have marked their fourth consecutive win, breaking the franchise record. To further add fuel to the fire, Virginia Beach had never won, let alone scored a goal at Christos. Well, Virginia Beach did manage to break its scoreless streak, but ultimately fell short of securing the victory, leaving Baltimore with a 1-1 draw. 

The first half was a 45-minute stretch devoid of offense, as both teams were locked in a fierce defensive battle that yielded few shots. However, the stalemate was briskly broken in the later frame. In the 57th minute, United midfielder Alexander Moody redirected a Franco Tradatti cross into the nylon for his second tally of the season. 

Virginia Beach held onto its one-goal lead until the 76th minute. A foul by the aforementioned Moody gave Christos midfielder Tyquan Strout the opportunity to equalize. From just over thirty yards out, the Temple product lasered the ball past a stunned and stationary Griffin Potter to tie things up. As time ticked down, neither team managed another clear shot on goal, and just as it began, the match ended in a draw. 

Despite the tie, Virginia Beach picked up a point to maintain its first-place position in the Chesapeake Division. However, Lionsbridge is looming up on United, currently sitting in second one point behind Virginia Beach. United now prepares for a pair of friendlies before returning to USL2 play on June 8th at Patuxent. 

Despite the tie, Virginia Beach picked up a point to maintain its first-place position atop the Chesapeake Division. However, looming in second is Lionsbridge – the Goliath to United’s David. The football club is a mere point behind Virginia Beach. Unfortunately for VBU, it does not have the chance to lengthen that lead for over a week. United has to prepare for a pair of friendlies before returning to USL2 play on June 8th at Patuxent.