By Lexi Livesay-Nicholas
The wait is almost over. In just a few short days, the USL W League comes to Vermont, garbed in Green and ready to leave its mark in our club’s history books.
The Women in Green are set to embark on their inaugural season with a more-than-capable coach at the helm, a few familiar faces on the field, and a passionate community of supporters ready to rally behind them every step—and goal—along the way.
Everything begins on Thursday, May 14 when the players report to Virtue Field for training. Head Coach Abby Carchio is charged with leading the squad in their first official season in the USLW’s newly-formed Northeast Division.
FOR THE FIRST TIME…THE WOMEN IN GREEN
Over the last two seasons, Vermont Green FC has fielded teams for three Women’s Exhibition Matches under the guidance of U.S. Women’s National Team legend and 2019 World Cup winner, Sam Mewis. The Green won all three matches in front of sold out crowds at Virtue Field.
To the joy of every Vermonter who dreamed of more summer soccer, last fall the club announced the formation of a women’s team that will compete in the USLW as a founding member of the league’s Northeast Division.
“Expanding into the nation’s top pre-professional women’s league is a big moment for the club and a big statement for soccer in this state,” said Vermont Green Sporting Director Adam Pfeifer. “We look forward to competing right out of the gate in the USL W League.”
This summer, the newly-formed women’s side will officially call Virtue Field home. It is both a groundbreaking venture and a natural evolution of the club’s sky-high ambitions. According to Vermont Green co-founder, Patrick Infurna, women’s soccer has always been part of the picture.
“It’s been a multi-year journey to get to this point, and we’re ready to compete for trophies in the country’s top pre-professional women’s league,” said Infurna. At this moment in time, there are no past records to spotlight and no previous seasons to recount. This is a brand new team, in a brand new division. With nothing yet written, there is everything to play for.
THE NORTHEAST DIVISION
Vermont Green is one of the five founding clubs that make up the Northeast Division. The rest of the division is comprised of veterans AC Connecticut, league sophomores Hudson Valley Crusaders, and expansion sides Hartford Athletic and New England Mutiny. This is the USLW’s newest division, having been added in the offseason.
The Green’s divisional campaign begins and ends against fellow first-year USLW sides, starting with a trip to Connecticut for a clash with Hartford Athletic on May 19, and ending in Western Massachusetts against the New England Mutiny. The Women in Green will play their highly-anticipated home opener on Saturday, May 23 when Hudson Valley Crusaders visit Burlington.
THE COMPETITION
AC Connecticut is the most experienced club in the division, having joined the USLW for the league’s inaugural season back in 2022. They hold an overall record of 10W-1D-32L over the last four seasons playing in the Metropolitan Division. They finished sixth out of eight teams in 2025, with a 3W-1D-6L record.
Hudson Valley Crusaders joined the USLW for the 2025 season. Over their 10-match stretch in the Metropolitan Division, they played to a record of 5W-1D-4L, good for fifth in the standings. They netted 24 goals over the course of the season, while conceding 25. In their lone head-to-head clash against fellow Northeast Division side AC Connecticut, the Crusaders emerged victorious with a goal-heavy 4-3 win.
New England Mutiny might be new to the USLW, but they arrive with a storied past. Since 1999, the Mutiny have competed in other leagues, fielding teams in the old W-League, WPSL, WPSLE, and UWS. The Mutiny are the sibling club of Western Mass Pioneers, one of Vermont Green Men’s fiercest rivals.
Hartford Athletic are equally new to the division and the league. Head Coach Danny Barrera set multiple club records with the club’s men’s pro team, and will now lead the women’s side for the 2026 season. Hartford Athletic plays at Trinity Health Stadium, a gorgeous 5,500 seat venue just outside downtown Hartford. The Green’s season-opener—and first ever competitive match—will take place at Trinity Health Stadium, in case any supporters needed more convincing to make the drive.
With only ten matches to prove themselves, the Women in Green will face both veterans and novices of the league in the race to be crowned the first-ever Northeast Division champions.
THE ROSTER
With the culture of the club in mind, Sporting Director Adam Pfeifer and Head Coach Abby Carchio have put together a versatile group of women, featuring collegiate stand-outs, homegrown talent, and seasoned pros.
“The personality of the players and protecting the competitiveness of our space were integral factors in our decision-making process,” said Carchio, on building her roster alongside Pfeifer. “I can’t wait to finally get on the pitch with them!”
Supporters of the club will recognize some names and faces on the pitch this season. From the University of Vermont, Sydney Remington, Bridget Kennedy, and Lauren DeGroot join the Green.
Remington capped her career at UVM by leading the Catamounts to the America East Championship game. With seven goals on the year, she was the team’s second leading goal scorer and was named to the America East All-Conference First Team.
DeGroot also finished her Catamount career by leading the team to the America East Championship game. She led UVM with eight goals in 2025, completing her Catamount career with a total of 15 goals and 7 assists.
Kennedy is a rising senior for the Catamounts. In 49 games, Kennedy has logged nearly 3,000 minutes and has totaled 5 assists. At the end of the 2025 season, she was named to the America East All-Conference First-Team.
Fans who attended Women’s Exhibition Matches last summer will recognize a few more players: Violet Rademacher, Olivia Shippee, and Georgina Clarke.
Rademacher started in both 2025 exhibition matches for the Green. Against Flower City, she headed home the fourth goal of the evening off a Georgina Clarke corner. In the come-from-behind victory against AS Blainville, Rademacher assisted on the first goal in a 2-1 victory.
Shippee was a stalwart in goal in both 2025 exhibition matches, conceding just once in 180 minutes of action. Playing her college ball at Boston College, Shippee anchored the defensive unit for the Eagles. She started all 18 matches, totaling 1,583 minutes and recording 77 saves with a .846 save percentage.
Clarke impressed at fullback in the exhibition matches. Against Flower City, she recorded two second half assists in the 4-0 win. Against AS Blainville, her corner kick resulted in the equalizer in a match that ended 2-1 in favor of the Green.
The Green have also signed Louisa Thomsen, who hails from Waterbury, VT. The Bucknell midfielder played in 18 games last fall as a sophomore, scoring 2 goals and tallying 3 assists. Before college, Thomsen led Harwood High School to the 2019 state finals.
“It’s a really strong group with a diversity of experience levels. We’ve been able to bring in some top players from colleges around the country which is the real backbone of the player pool in the USLW—that includes both Vermonters and UVM players that will be familiar to the fans. In addition to the college talent, this league gives a great platform to former pros or postgraduate players looking for contracts. It will be a really good mix, and I think that range is reflective of a true professional environment,” said Pfeifer.
This summer, every single player on the roster will make an impact, whether they only spend a single game with us or remain for the entirety of the season. Once a Green, always a Green.
THE COACHES
Carchio has announced her staff for her first season at the helm. Caitlyn Fogel, Rory Twomey, and Edgar Vargas will serve as assistant coaches. Kat Paradis will be the team’s athletic trainer, supported by Hannah Tremel and Dr. J.P. Begly.
“I’m excited to bring in a staff rich in passion and experience for this inaugural USLW season. Cait, Rory, and Edgar all have a deep connection to football in Vermont and it was essential for me to bring in that local understanding. They all possess the knowledge, empathy and competitiveness to positively develop our players and cultivate diversity of thought within the staff,” said Carchio.
THE MAPLE CUP
Vermont Green FC Women will compete in the third annual Maple Cup on May 29 at 7pm on Virtue Field. Reigning Ligue2 Féminine Champions Lakeshore SC will make the trip down from Canada to take on the Women in Green. Lakeshore SC is from Kirkland, Québec, a suburb of Montreal. In 2026, the club’s senior women’s team will compete in Ligue1 Québec Féminine—the regionalized second tier of women’s soccer in Canada—after earning promotion last season.
The Maple Cup is an annual single-match cup contest—hosted in Burlington—played between the Green and a prominent opponent from Quebec.
“The Maple Cup is built on the spirit of collaboration across international borders, and celebrates the enduring friendship between the soccer communities of Vermont and Quebec,” said Vermont Green co-founder, Patrick Infurna. “In this current climate, it’s important that this friendship with our northern neighbors is reaffirmed, reinforced, and celebrated. We believe soccer is a beautiful way to show this.”
Vermont Green FC Men are the current holders of the Maple Cup, defeating FC Laval 4-2 in 2025, and CS Saint-Laurent 5-0 in 2024. While the 2026 edition will be the first official Maple Cup contested by two women’s sides, the Women in Green have defeated Quebec clubs twice in friendlies over the last two seasons, besting FC Laval in penalties in 2024, and AS Blainville 2-1 in 2025.
The winner of the match on May 29 will receive a gallon of Vermont maple syrup and lift the Maple Cup trophy, created in 2024 by D’Aversa Furniture. The unique trophy is made from ambrosia maple wood sourced in Vermont.
The Maple Cup is separate from the USLW schedule, but included in the Women’s Season Ticket.
MORE GREEN, MORE GOOD
In celebration of Vermont Green FC’s inaugural USLW season, the club is proud to partner with Vermont Works for Women on the More Green, More Good initiative, expanding opportunities for women’s sports in Vermont.
Three local women-owned businesses—BirdieBlue, GameTheory, and Ursa Major—have each pledged $50 for every home goal scored by Vermont Green’s women’s team to support the non-profit’s statewide workforce development programs.
EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY
What sets Vermont Green apart? You do.
Everyone has a part to play became a mantra during the Vermont Green Men’s 2025 playoff run, a recognition that Vermont Green’s success rests on the unity of club and community.
This season, there’s more—more players, more games, and more soccer. The club doubled in size with the addition of a women’s side, which means our community has doubled its chances to show up, support, and spend the summer cheering on the Green.
Last season, everyone had a part to play, and this season is no different. We have the opportunity to make a serious mark in the world of women’s soccer. Our marching orders are clear: let’s show everyone that we can be one of the best women’s soccer communities in the world. Up the Green!
MATCHDAY AT VIRTUE
Fans can expect a few fun changes this year at Virtue Field. The University of Vermont completed the Pizzagalli Support Building, offering brand new concessions and bathrooms for fans, and new locker rooms for the teams and referees.
The club will also continue to offer on-field seating, a premium experience for an additional $10 at the door. It will be first-come, first-served.
There are still some tickets available for women’s season! For those unable to attend, all home matches will be streamed for free at vermontgreenfc.com/streaming.