Vermont Green FC
Full nameVermont Green Football Club
Founded2021
StadiumVirtue Field
Capacity2,500
ManagerAdam Pfeifer
LeagueUSL League Two
20223rd, Northeast Division
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals
WebsiteClub website

Vermont Green Football Club is an American soccer team based in Burlington, Vermont that began play in USL League Two in the 2022 season.[1][2][3] The club mission is centered on environmental justice with the goal of becoming a net zero soccer club.[4] They are also a member of One Percent for the Planet, donating 1% of the club's annual revenues to approved environmental partners.[5] VGFC's unique mission has drawn coverage from BBC Sport, The Guardian, and the Men in Blazers podcast.[6][7][8]

History

Prior to the Green, the Burlington, Vermont area was home to USL League Two club, Vermont Voltage, which played from 1997 until 2014.

The club was officially announced as USL League Two's newest team on October 12, 2021.[9][10] One of the club's co-founders is Matthew Wolff, a graphic designer known for his work on association football logos and jerseys. Wolff designed Vermont Green FC's logo, which was unveiled in February 2022.[11]

The club played its first match on May 16, 2022, defeating Boston City FC 4–0. Norwegian Eythor Bjorgolfsson scored their first goal on a penalty late in the first half.[12] On May 28, 2022, Vermont Green FC won in their home opener, in front of a crowd of 1,001 people. Portuguese midfielder Rodrigo Vaza scored his first goal for the club and the first home VGFC goal in history.[13] On July 17, 2022, the Green defeated Western Mass Pioneers 1–0 in front of a capacity crowd of 2,500 to clinch a playoff spot in their first season of play.[14] After upsetting hosts Lionsbridge FC in the opening round, VGFC were eliminated by eventual national runner up Long Island Roughriders.[15]

Interest in Vermont Green continued to grow in the leadup to their second season. In the spring of 2023, it was announced they had sold out of season tickets for the upcoming season with a total 1,250 sold. Five of the team's seven home league matches were sellouts. On the field, the Green won ten matches and finish 3rd in USL League Two's Northeast Division. The Green were eliminated from USL League Two playoff contention after a 1–1 draw at Pathfinder FC in their penultimate match, ultimately finishing two points behind Western Mass Pioneers for the final playoff spot.[16] In addition to their league schedule, the team also played friendlies against CS Mont-Royal Outremont of Ligue1 Quebec, Kingston Stockade of the National Premier Soccer League, and local side Juba Star FC.[17] After the season, the Green were recognized as the 2023 USL League Two Organization of the Year, chosen from the league’s 122 clubs across the US and Canada.[18]

On December 11, 2023 it was announced that Vermont Green qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the first time.[19]

Stadium

Virtue Field during a Vermont Green FC match in 2022

The club plays their home matches at Virtue Field on the campus of the University of Vermont.[20][21]

Technical Staff

Players

Notable former players

Year by year

Year Level League Reg. season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Average attendance
2022 4 USL League Two 3rd, Northeast Conference Semifinals Not eligible 1,405
2023 4 USL League Two 3rd, Northeast Did not qualify Did not qualify 2,234
2024 4 USL League Two TBD TBD Qualified TBD

References

  1. ^ "Vermont Green Football Club (USL 2)". protagonistsoccer.com.
  2. ^ "Vermont Green's fan club helped propel the soccer team to first-year successes". vtdigger.org.
  3. ^ "'More than a soccer club': Vermont Green Football Club looks to create socially conscious community". vtdigger.org.
  4. ^ "The Vermont Green FC Environmental Justice Mission". Vermont Green Football Club. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  5. ^ "The Vermont Green FC Environmental Justice Mission". Vermont Green Football Club. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "The new US club doing things differently". BBC Sport. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Root, Tik (June 30, 2023). "Vermont Green FC: the fourth-tier US soccer team out to save the world". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "Men in Blazers 06/01/23: Live in Vermont - Men in Blazers". Men in Blazers. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Vermont Green FC, new men's soccer team will compete in USL League Two". Local 22/44 News. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  10. ^ Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (October 12, 2021). "Vermont Green FC to Join USL League Two Ahead of the 2022 Season". USL League Two. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Wolff, Matthew (February 17, 2022). "A Letter From Designer & Club Co-Founder Matthew Wolff". Vermont Green FC. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  12. ^ "Vermont Green FC Win 4–0 in League Debut". May 16, 2022.
  13. ^ "Vermont Green FC Earn Win In Historic Home Opener". Vermont Green Football Club. May 29, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "Green community helps drive playoff push". July 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "USL League Two Playoffs are here". USL League 2 Playoffs. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "Standings | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "2023 Schedule". Vermont Green Football Club. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  18. ^ https://www.mynbc5.com/article/vermont-green-fc-usl-organization-of-the-year/46012473
  19. ^ "Full Slate of 32 Open Division Underdogs Set for 2024 Open Cup | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  20. ^ "About". Vermont Green Football Club. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  21. ^ Sports, Banner. "Vermont Green Football to bring amature [sic] soccer to Burlington". Bennington Banner. Retrieved October 13, 2021.

External links


USL League Two
Sports teams based in Vermont
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