The 2024 College Cup final will be a clash of contrasting styles, as ball-dominant Marshall takes on a defensively oriented Vermont squad that is as comfortable without the ball as teams come. If the Thundering Herd win, it is their second title, both coming in the last four years, whereas a Catamounts victory would be their first championship. 

MORE: Profiling Marshall's Journey to College Cup

MORE: Profiling Vermont's Journey to College Cup

Marshall’s journey to this point has not been too much of a surprise as a program that has lost just four of the last 44 matches and spent most of the previous two seasons nationally ranked in the top 5. Behind that dominance has been a possession-oriented style that has attracted some of the best international recruits in the world. For context, consider that last season’s leading striker, Alvaro Garcia Pascual, recently made his professional debut for Sevilla in La Liga, Spain’s top division. His replacement, Lineker Santos, a Brazilian forward, transferred from Memphis and has scored 15 goals this campaign, the second most in a single season for the Herd. Since Chris Grassie took over in 2017, Marshall has consistently played some of the most attractive soccer in the sport. This final is another chance to prove that quality entertainment and championship soccer can go hand in hand.

The Catamounts have had a vastly different path, flying under the radar in the upper East coast of the country. Starting with the roster structure, where Marshall has just four American-born players on a squad of 28, Vermont is far more balanced, with 16 of 28 players hailing from the United States. The America East champions have also utilized plenty of unorthodox players and tactical styles. Take star senior center back Max Murray. The Maine native has emerged as an elite defensive prospect for the MLS draft, yet just two seasons ago, he was a striker who led the team in goals en route to First Team America East honors. Then you have the emergence of star players like Yaniv Bazini, who looked to be a decent prospect at NC State, then transferred to Vermont in 2022, transforming into one of the best clutch performers in college soccer history with goals in each NCAA tournament round to this point.

Marshall Strengths

Much is said about how well Marshall maneuvers the ball from the back line to the front, but this season has introduced a new tactical tweak as a group that can also go direct when needed. As teams have developed elaborate strategies to make even the most technical teams uncomfortable, the Thundering Herd have countered by establishing structures that enable the team to play balls over the top to beat overzealous pressing schemes. The lone goal in the semifinal came from one of those instances as goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic played a 70-yard pass in behind for Tarik Pannholzer to finish. The Serbian keeper also had a similar pass for a goal against Georgia State earlier this season. The ability to play that pass at any moment makes the opponent wary of pressing too intensely, giving the Sun Belt side the freedom and space needed to dominate possession for long stretches. 

Vermont Strengths

It would be disingenuous to discuss Vermont’s strengths without beginning with the raw physicality and athleticism on the roster. Looking at the core of the back line, you have 6-foot-6 Niklas Herceg in goal, anchored by 6-foot-5 Max Murray and 6-foot-1 captain Zach Barrett at center back. Go further up the pitch and find the front three consisting of the 6-foot-2 Bazini, 6-foot-3 Sydney Wathuta, and 6-foot 4-David Ismail. That size and athleticism allows the Catamounts to utilize a physically punishing style that is hard to break down in the flow of play and near-impossible to contend with in transition and set pieces. It is worth noting that Vermont still has plenty of technical talent on the team, from Bazini’s finishing prowess to Wathuta’s vision to create quality chances, Ryan Zellefrow’s flair in possession, and the absurd viral goal Ismail scored in the second round.

Summary

This final will not provide much attacking entertainment with these two contrasting styles. Marshall will likely monopolize possession against a Vermont team that is glad to sit back and wait for set pieces and transition opportunities. If the Thundering Herd can convert that possession to quality looks on goal, then a victory is at hand, but if the Catamounts can limit shots on target and make the most of set-pieces, they will win the program’s first championship.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

IMG Academy Player Rankings: Boys 2026

Professional Signing Tracker

EA Concludes 2024 With Winter Event