Vermont Green FC explained

Clubname:Vermont Green FC
Upright:0.8
Fullname:Vermont Green Football Club
Founded:2021
Stadium:Virtue Field
Capacity:2,500
Manager:Adam Pfeifer
League:USL League Two
Season:2024
Position:3rd, Northeast Division
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals
Website:https://vermontgreenfc.com/
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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 environmental 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] Vermont Green won the first round match against USL League One team Lexington SC 4-3.[20] In round two, VGFC hosted again. Despite leading early on a goal by Israeli forward Yaniv Bazini, they were eventually defeated 2-1 by MLS Next Pro side Carolina Core FC in front of sellout crowd.[21]

In 2024, it was announced that the club would begin an annual match against the reigning champion of the Canadian Ligue1 Québec, to be known as the Maple Cup.[22] In May, the club announced they would form a women's team.[23] Coached by former NWSL and United States women’s national soccer team star Sam Mewis, they hosted a friendly match against Ligue1 Québec side FC Laval on June 22, 2024 as a preview to the Maple Cup, winning the match on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in regulation.[24]

On July 13, 2024, Vermont Green clinched its second ever postseason birth after coming from behind in the second half to beat Western Mass Pioneers 3-1 in an away game. They finished the regular season with a 9-2-2 record, good enough for 3rd place in the Northeast Division.

Stadium

The club plays their home matches at Virtue Field on the campus of the University of Vermont.[25] [26] The club's founders have stated that their ultimate goal is to build their own dedicated stadium at some point in the future. [27]

Players

Technical staff

Notable former players

Year by year

!Year!Level!League!Reg. season!Playoffs!U.S. Open Cup!Average attendance
20224USL 23rd, NortheastConference SemifinalsNot eligible1,405
20234USL 23rd, NortheastDid not qualifyDid not qualify2,234
20244USL 23rd, NortheastConference Semifinals2nd round 2,431

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vermont Green Football Club (USL 2). protagonistsoccer.com. March 31, 2023. March 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230331202859/https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage-blog/20220602underthelightsvermontgreen. live.
  2. Web site: Vermont Green's fan club helped propel the soccer team to first-year successes. August 2022 . vtdigger.org. March 31, 2023. March 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230331202857/https://vtdigger.org/2022/08/01/vermont-greens-fan-club-helped-propel-the-soccer-team-to-first-year-successes/. live.
  3. Web site: 'More than a soccer club': Vermont Green Football Club looks to create socially conscious community. June 5, 2022 . vtdigger.org. March 31, 2023. March 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230331202856/https://vtdigger.org/2022/06/05/more-than-a-soccer-club-vermont-green-football-club-looks-to-create-socially-conscious-community/. live.
  4. Web site: The Vermont Green FC Environmental Justice Mission . July 18, 2022 . Vermont Green Football Club . en-US . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803125714/https://vermontgreenfc.com/mission/ . live .
  5. Web site: The Vermont Green FC Environmental Justice Mission . November 3, 2022 . Vermont Green Football Club . en-US . December 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221210165308/https://vermontgreenfc.com/mission/ . live .
  6. News: The new US club doing things differently . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-08-03 . July 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718184923/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61319717 . live .
  7. News: Root . Tik . 2023-06-30 . Vermont Green FC: the fourth-tier US soccer team out to save the world . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-08-03 . 0261-3077 . July 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718184919/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/30/vermont-green-fc-climate-justice-action . live .
  8. News: Men in Blazers 06/01/23: Live in Vermont – Men in Blazers . en . Men in Blazers . 2023-08-03 . July 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718184921/https://meninblazers.com/2023/06/13/06-01-23-live-in-vermont/ . live .
  9. Web site: October 12, 2021. Vermont Green FC, new men's soccer team will compete in USL League Two. October 13, 2021. Local 22/44 News. en-US. October 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211012234216/https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/sports/vermont-green-fc-new-mens-soccer-team-will-compete-in-usl-league-two/. live.
  10. Web site: Staff. USLLeagueTwo com. October 12, 2021. Vermont Green FC to Join USL League Two Ahead of the 2022 Season. October 13, 2021. USL League Two. en-us. October 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029175204/https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/1188018-vermont-green-fc-to-join-usl-league-two-ahead-of-the-2022-season. live.
  11. Web site: Wolff . Matthew . A Letter From Designer & Club Co-Founder Matthew Wolff . Vermont Green FC . February 19, 2022 . February 17, 2022 . February 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220219125231/https://vermontgreenfc.com/a-letter-from-designer-club-co-founder-matthew-wolff/ . live .
  12. Web site: Vermont Green FC Win 4–0 in League Debut . May 16, 2022 . July 6, 2022 . July 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220706132727/https://vermontgreenfc.com/vermont-green-fc-win-4-0-in-league-debut/ . live .
  13. Web site: May 29, 2022 . Vermont Green FC Earn Win In Historic Home Opener . May 31, 2022 . Vermont Green Football Club . en-US . May 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220530095014/https://vermontgreenfc.com/vermont-green-fc-earn-win-in-historic-home-opener/ . live .
  14. Web site: Green community helps drive playoff push . July 18, 2022 . July 18, 2022 . July 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220718134431/https://www.mynbc5.com/article/vermont-green-fc-community-helps-drive-playoff-push/40631412 . live .
  15. Web site: USL League Two Playoffs are here . 2023-08-03 . USL League 2 Playoffs . June 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230622161532/https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/playoffs . live .
  16. Web site: Standings uslleaguetwo.com . 2023-08-03 . www.uslleaguetwo.com . en-us . July 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703015205/https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/league-standings . live .
  17. Web site: 2023 Schedule . 2023-08-03 . Vermont Green Football Club . en-US . July 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718183105/https://vermontgreenfc.com/schedule/ . live .
  18. Web site: Vermont Green FC named 2023 USL League Two Organization of the Year . December 2023 . February 22, 2024 . February 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222150123/https://www.mynbc5.com/article/vermont-green-fc-usl-organization-of-the-year/46012473 . live .
  19. Web site: Full Slate of 32 Open Division Underdogs Set for 2024 Open Cup U.S. Soccer Official Website . 2023-12-13 . www.ussoccer.com . en . December 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211230403/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/12/full-slate-of-32-open-division-underdogs-set-for-2024-open-cup . live .
  20. Web site: 2024-03-20 . 2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Vermont Green upset Lexington as tournament debuts in Green Mountain State . 2024-03-27 . thecup.us . en-US.
  21. Web site: Vermont Green F.C. Run in U.S. Open Cup stopped by Carolina Core . April 4, 2024 .
  22. Web site: Vermont Green To Host League1 Quebec Champion In New 'Maple Cup'. April 20, 2024. Northern Tribune. Nelson. Mahmoudi.
  23. Web site: Vermont Green FC Announce Inaugural Women’s Exhibition Match, Explore Launch of Permanent Women’s Team. May 7, 2024. Vermont Green FC.
  24. Web site: Vermont Green wins inaugural women’s match in penalties. June 22, 2024. Michael. Dugan. WCAX-TV.
  25. Web site: About. 2021-10-13. Vermont Green Football Club. en-US. October 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028165608/https://vermontgreenfc.com/about/. live.
  26. Web site: Sports. Banner. Vermont Green Football to bring }} soccer to Burlington]. October 13, 2021. Bennington Banner. en. October 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211012235643/https://www.benningtonbanner.com/sports/vermont-green-football-to-bring--soccer-to-burlington/article_a2d0beaa-2baf-11ec-8a82-5795024c7511.html. live.
  27. https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/burlingtons-semipro-soccer-team-vermont-green-fc-is-winning-on-and-off-the-field-41236528

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