The 2024 Vermont Green FC season—the third in our history—was a memorable one for our club and the blossoming soccer community in the Green Mountain State.
Starting in March in the U.S. Open Cup, fans flocked to Virtue Field (twice!) to support the Green in frigid conditions, and to prove to national and international audiences that soccer in Vermont is a movement, and one that’s here to stay. With USL League Two play, the Maple Cup, an inaugural Women’s Exhibition Match, a third annual community friendly match with Juba Star FC, and a three-game playoff run, our incredible fans propelled us to new heights on and off the field, once again placing Environmental Justice initiatives at the forefront.
“Reflecting on the 2024 campaign, the overwhelming feeling is immense gratitude,” said Vermont Green FC co-founder Matthew Wolff. “From the thousands of fans near and far that support the club, to our remarkable staff, interns, and volunteers, to our partners that believe in the project and the mission, and of course, to the outstanding athletes who wore the Vermont Green badge with love, pride, and dedication: on behalf of our entire club, thank you. We can’t wait to be back together again soon.”
THE US OPEN CUP
We returned to the pitch earlier than usual in 2024, qualifying for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating professional club Lexington SC 4-3 in storybook fashion in the first round at a sold out crowd in March. We would earn the right to host again two weeks later, falling narrowly to another professional side in MLS Next Pro’s Carolina Core FC. The U.S. Open Cup was a coming-of-age moment for our young club, capturing the attention of a national audience through on-field heroics and fan displays that rival the best in the nation.
RECORD CROWDS
Virtue Field was already known as the mystical home of the Green before the 2024 season, but this year’s campaign further elevated the lore and reputation of our beloved home field. With record crowds attending week in, week out, the club’s average attendance reached new heights at 2,431 fans per game. Vermont soccer fans—led by the Green Mountain Bhoys’ singing, drumming, and revelry—sold out six straight games at Virtue Field this summer, a streak that is likely to carry into 2025. The 2,500 capacity crowds didn’t include the hundreds of fans that watched from the grassy hill. With the inclusion of the hill-watchers, the club estimates some matches neared 3,000 spectators.
Virtue Field is not just a wonderful place to play and watch the beautiful game, as its signature bleachers sit below the view of Camel’s Hump, it has also become a fortress. In the 2024 calendar year, our home record is 8-2-2 across all competitions, with the only losses coming against a professional team (Carolina Core FC) and Seacoast United, the top-ranked USL League Two team in the nation.
In addition to the crowds at the stadium, we partnered with WYCI and WCAX to bring Vermont Green FC games to live cable television for the first time, expanding access to soccer throughout the region. Fans without cable were able to stream matches for free on our YouTube channel.
INAUGURAL WOMEN’S MATCH
Perhaps the most electric atmosphere of the entire summer came on June 22nd, when for the first time, Vermont Green FC fielded a women’s side to compete against FC Laval of Quebec in the inaugural Women’s Exhibition Match. The Green won the match in a dramatic penalty shootout, sending the sold out Virtue Field into a never-before-seen frenzy. While the win was an unforgettable joy and hard-fought exclamation point on a fantastic night, the greatest win was the way the community stood up for the occasion. Giving their full voice to the team led by Sam Mewis, Vermont signaled to the world that the women’s game not only has a home in the Green Mountains, but that it has an extremely bright future.
As the club continues to grow, fielding a women’s team—first as exhibitions and in the future as a full-season team—will be a priority. We look forward to learning and building together.
COACH SAM MEWIS
One of the greatest honors of the 2024 season was the introduction of US Women’s National Team legend and new Vermonter Sam Mewis to the coaching staff for the Women’s Exhibition Match. Mewis brought immeasurable value in her guidance and experience to our just-launched women’s program, and leveraged her tremendous platform as a player and with her podcast, The Women’s Game to shine a spotlight on Vermont Green’s athletes, fans, and mission. We are so grateful for Sam’s work and dedication, and we look forward to working alongside her in the future to grow women’s soccer in Vermont.
SUCCESS ON THE PITCH
Our Boys in Green had a monumental season on the pitch, winning unforgettable matches at home, including an historic 4-3 upset of Lexington SC in the U.S. Open Cup, a 7-0 win over AC Connecticut, a 5-0 win over Boston City FC, and a 90th minute winner in our first ever home playoff match against Reading United.
On the road, the Boys in Green finally unlocked Lusitano Stadium, defeating Western Mass Pioneers at their fortress for the first time in a dramatic 3-1 comeback. In the playoffs, the Green enacted some revenge on perennial contenders Long Island Rough Riders, who knocked Vermont out of the playoffs in 2022. It was a statement 3-1 victory against a highly respected club on the national stage.
Yaniv Bazini and Jacob Labovitz led the lines throughout the season, and both came up big in the playoffs. Whether Bazini’s masterpiece winner in front of a sold out Virtue Field against Reading United, or Labovitz’s hat-trick against Long Island, the goalscorers became folk heroes in the Green Mountains.
The future is bright with some of the younger players playing important roles throughout the season. At just 18 years old, Mohammed Ibrahim became the youngest debutant in Vermont Green history, the youngest to score a goal, and the youngest to record an assist, and youngest to be awarded a Maple Man of the Match. Remember the name: Mo Ibra!
Led by Sporting Director and Manager Adam Pfeifer, Vermont Green fielded a deep roster of amazingly talented and committed players. Each member of our squad contributed to our success, and we applaud them for the time and energy they gave to the club and the community.
Adam Pfeifer concluded his third season at the helm with a 32-12-4 record in competitive matches, including USL League Two, playoffs, and U.S. Open Cup.
VERMONT LEADERS SUPPORTING THE GREEN
With each successful season, the Green and our enthusiastic fan culture continues to catch the attention of Vermont’s elected leaders. Congresswoman Becca Balint, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Representative Taylor Small all attended matches this summer, engaging with match events like coin-flips and half-time speeches. Thank you, to our state’s leaders for joining us at the matches, and for continuing to represent Vermont values in your Environmental Justice advocacy.
THE MAPLE CUP
Alongside our friends from Quebec, we launched a new annual competition: the Maple Cup. The match pits Vermont Green FC against top Ligue1 opponents, and in the 2024 addition, that opponent was defending Ligue1 champs, CS Saint-Laurent. We emerged victorious, winning 5-0 in a match that celebrated the growing connection between Vermont and Quebec’s soccer communities, and settling once and for all who has the best Maple Syrup in the world.
INDIVUDIAL HONORS
The 2024 Vermont Green FC roster was full of talent and promising futures, with multiple players earning individual honors and accolades. Captain Moussa Ndiaye was named the USL League Two Player of the Month in May. Yaniv Bazini broke the club’s all-time scoring record when he scored his tenth Green goal against AC Connecticut. The striker ended the season with 19 competitive goals for the club, going back to his debut in June 2023. Goalkeeper Francesco Montali left the club in June to sign a professional contract with Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer, after a string of stellar performances for the Green.
We are committed to fostering the growth of our players’ professional aspirations, and with each season it is a joy for our club and community to watch players leave their mark in Burlington before continuing their footballing journeys.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS
At every home match during the regular season, community members joined us on the concourse to table, or on the field at half-time to speak to fans. Our platform is one of our most important assets, and we’re honored to share our time and space with folks in the community fighting for a kinder, cleaner, healthier, fairer, and more socially just world. We will dive deeper into our community partnerships in our 2024 Environmental Justice Mission Report.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE REPORT
Together with our partners and fans, we got a lot done this summer. Each year, we spend the offseason documenting progress in our Environmental Justice Mission Report, you can check out the 2023 version and we’ll let you know when the 2024 edition is out!
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This club runs on the energy of the community that supports it. We are grateful for your continued support, and we love building this football club with you. With each season, we will grow, and we will grow together. Until next time, thank you, big love, and UP THE GREEN!