2025 Environmental Justice Mission Report

The 2025 Vermont Green FC Environmental Justice Mission Report documents and gives context to the progress made by our club during the calendar year. The vast majority of work is done during our season between mid-May to early August.

2025 was our fourth season, and we continued to operate primarily on a seasonal basis with no full time employees. We grew as a mission-driven, community-focused club thanks to the commitment of our staff, interns, volunteers, players, partners, and fans who represent and uphold our founding values. We’re incredibly grateful for the countless contributors to this collaborative effort to advance environmental stewardship and social justice through soccer in Vermont.

The Mission

Vermont Green Football Club believes soccer can be a powerful catalyst for a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world. The club’s mission is to build a football club that reflects these values and embeds environmental justice into its competitive strategy, operational processes, and culture. The club prioritizes the environment in all business decisions.

In our inaugural season in 2022, we laid out ambitious community engagement and environmental sustainability goals for the club. We’ve outlined our progress and the evolution of those goals in our annual Mission Reports in 2022, 2023, and 2024. 

In 2025, we built on our first three seasons of progress—in collaboration with partners and fans—to positively impact our community and spread awareness of the mission beyond Vermont.

On August 2nd, Vermont Green FC defeated Ballard FC 2-1 in the USL League Two National Championship, capping off an undefeated season that included five playoff matches at Virtue Field. The miraculous 2025 season was a defining moment for the club’s mission, bringing substantial proof to our thesis that success on the pitch can greatly expand the reach of environmental justice goals. The players and staff exhibited athletic excellence, which unlocked additional matches, wider attention, and bigger headlines. The club’s ideals and spirit received unprecedented attention in Vermont, across the nation, and around the world.

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice is a social movement that fights for the equal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in our society. It is also a lens that allows us to understand how human rights, equality, and environmental stewardship are interconnected. This lens demonstrates that efforts to address environmental crises will be most effective only if they are rooted in social justice.

2025 Mission Goals

In our pursuit to embed environmental justice into club operations, we set five distinct mission goals when we founded the club in 2021. These goals remain in place today:

  1. Net Zero
  2. Fighting Systemic Racism in Soccer
  3. Purpose Driven Merchandise
  4. Giving
  5. Education and Awareness

Net Zero

GOAL

Become a net zero club following the standards set forth in the Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative.

PROGRESS

Building on our efforts from 2022, 2023, and 2024, we progressed foundational work in partnership with an external team of net zero consultants. With their support, we continued developing the club’s internal system of tracking emissions, and worked with our venue, vendors, staff, players, and supporters to be conscious of emissions and to work towards collective reduction.

In 2025, we were accepted as a member of the United Nations’ initiative, Football for the Goals (FFTG). By joining Football for the Goals, Vermont Green FC commits to advocating for the achievement and implementation of policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals. It is an opportunity to build on football’s powerful and influential reach and to work together to become agents of change by aligning messaging, strategies and operations with the aspirations of the SDGs.

Members of Football for the Goals commit to the following principles across their business practices and in their advocacy with stakeholders, as well as media and commercial partners and sponsors:

  • Sustainability policies and practices.
  • Implementing and advocating for the SDGs.
  • A human rights-based approach, including in addressing issues of discrimination and avoiding discriminatory practices.
  • Equality and equity, including gender.
  • Climate action.

We encouraged environmentally-conscious transportation options such as carpooling, biking, walking, and bus riding for players, staff, and fans. For instance, we linked CATMA’s commuter solution tool in every matchday email. A PDF example of a matchday email can be viewed here. 

2025 marked a third season of partnership with Local Motion. Our popular ‘Bike-to-the-Match’ initiative saw hundreds of fans use the free bike parking valet at every home match. Bike-to-the-Match incentivizes fans in the Burlington area to travel to matches by bicycle and use the no-cost parking option provided by Local Motion. These fans were automatically entered into a raffle to win prizes in the stadium. We worked with local partners like Bivo (cycling water bottles) and Plink! (hydration tablets) for a second straight season to provide prizes for cycling fans. In 2025, Local Motion parked 954 bikes during 17 matches with our Valet Bike Parking program.

Our apparel partnership with PlayerLayer extended to our fourth season. PlayerLayer is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition who use the HIGG Index to guide best practices in more sustainable product development. Their facilities are powered by solar energy and have award-winning waste management systems. They’re product design has removed 12 million plastic water bottles from landfills, and they’re transitioning their factory vehicles to hybrid.

We use packaging from EcoEnclose to ship merchandise. EcoEnclose provides eco-forward, optimal packaging solutions, while “envisioning a future in which packaging is endlessly recycled or reused, and virgin materials are made from regenerative resources whose production strengthens soils.” Vermont Green FC fans that receive merchandise in EcoEnclose Poly Mailers can reuse the bag for at least one additional shipment thanks to a second adhesive on the bag. 

Wasted* brought innovative and sustainable portable toilet systems to all 17 home matches at Virtue Field in 2025. Wasted* are focused on upcycling human waste to create valuable byproducts. Our 14 toilets collected human waste which was then processed into natural fertilizer—in a product called WeeBloom—recovering the rich nutrients that ordinarily go to waste. This toilet innovation supports a circular economy.

Free ice cream provided by Ben & Jerry’s is an integral part of every Vermont Green FC matchday experience. In 2025, Ben & Jerry’s debuted a new electric scoop truck. The Vermont-based ice cream maker’s all-electric trucks are built in collaboration with Rivian to modernize its existing ice cream trucks. The vans can drive for up to 161 miles on a single charge.

Vermont Green FC staff, volunteers, and fans sorted through trash, recycling, and compost bins at the stadium to ensure contents were recycled or disposed of properly. The club provides signage and information at the stadium so fans understand the importance of sorting their trash and not contaminating the recycling process.

We continued our vital partnership with the University of Vermont who sources electricity from 100% renewable sources. Virtue Field, on the University’s campus, remains a fantastic shared space to discuss environmental justice and a more sustainable future.

“We’re excited to team up with the Vermont Green FC to provide the Local Motion Valet Bike Parking Service. The team has captivated the City and what a wonderful opportunity for us to encourage folks to ride their bikes to the game. It’s zero emissions, it’s fun, and we keep their bikes safe and secure while they enjoy the game. A match made only in Burlington! Up the Green!” – Tom Clark, Director, Services and Marketing at Local Motion.

Fighting Systemic Racism in Soccer

GOAL

Stand up to systemic racism in soccer and beyond, and work towards using our platform and resources to build an Anti-Racist Soccer Club.

PROGRESS

Our 10-Point Plan, built in collaboration with the Anti-Racist Soccer Club coalition in 2022, continues to be the framework from which we combat racism in soccer, with a focus on our community in Vermont.

We hosted a fourth annual friendly match with Juba Star Football Club to raise funds for the club’s operation and their free youth soccer clinics. The match was presented by Ben & Jerry’s for a fourth straight season, with the Burlington-based ice cream company and social advocates making a direct donation to Juba Star FC through the Somali Bantu Community Association. The match celebrated the partnership between the two football clubs and the collaborative work to expand access to soccer in Vermont’s New American and Refugee communities. The match gives Juba Star a platform for local talent and the opportunity for club representatives to speak to fans at half-time about their club’s goals. 

We brought 10 local players from within the Vermont soccer community to play for the club against Juba Star FC. It was a competitive and entertaining match between the two clubs, with the Green narrowly defeating Juba Star 1-0 on a joyous late spring evening.

At every match in 2025, we collected lightly used shoes, soccer cleats, and clothing to donate to Juba Star FC in an effort to expand access to soccer in Vermont. The donation bin is located at the merch tent at Virtue Field. 

Juba Star Football Club is a Somali Bantu-led organization that has been operating in the state since 2006 as a part of the Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont. The organization was established to provide a safe space for the growth and development of former refugee and immigrant youth in Vermont. The club has expanded over the years, hosting players who have immigrated from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Yemen, Nepal, Sudan, Burundi, as well as players born in the United States. The organization runs free soccer clubs for youth and adults and provides assistance with transportation to games and practices, which can often be a significant barrier to participation in immigrant communities.

Our matchday program, for a fourth straight season, recognized a Land Acknowledgment.

Point 8 of our 10-Point Plan pledges to increase support for Black-owned and Black-led organizations. We prioritized Black and minority-owned food vendors, and worked for a fourth straight season with black-owned security service Chocolate Thunder.

We played Beyoncé’s recording of “Lift Every Voice And Sing” at every match to commemorate what is often known as the “Black National Anthem”. In every matchday program, the club explained the historical context of the anthem, including its original author and some of its historical uses. The club also explained its use at Vermont Green games. The celebration of African American freedom, achievement, and respect for the culture was particularly powerful in a community that has struggled for diverse representation.

The club is committed to recruiting talented, engaged, and diverse squads. We believe in the importance of a diverse team on the pitch, and what it means to build and learn with players from all over the world. In 2025, the club was led by two Black captains, Moussa Ndiaye, from Dakar, Senegal and Zach Zengue, who had an international upbringing due to his family’s work in the Peace Corps. 

“Our team looks forward to collaborating with and supporting Vermont Green FC as it becomes a champion for sustainable development and human rights and drives positive change within the football community and beyond.” – Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

Purpose Driven Merchandise

GOAL

Source merchandise that satisfies the highest standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

PROGRESS

We proudly entered our fourth season with PlayerLayer as our jersey and athleticwear partner. PlayerLayer works with manufacturers that are members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, operating in state-of-the-art factories designed with climate change and environmental stewardship in mind. The UK-based apparel brand has operated since 2008 to help athletes, coaches, supporters and students feel that they BELONG through design, product development, inclusivity and sustainability.

All of our on-pitch apparel from PlayerLayer is made from 100% recycled material, and we are conscious not to produce more than we will need each season. We’d rather do smaller inventory numbers and sell out than overproduce items and be saddled with excess stock. We tend not to engage in typical “flash sale” marketing tactics. 

Our current strategy is to have each year’s kit last two seasons: the first as a “primary” or “home” kit, and the second as a “secondary” or “away” kit. When a kit reaches its second season we let it sell out and do not restock.

The 2025 Home Kit will become the secondary (or away) kit in 2026. Keeper kits are not produced for retail, and pre-match and training gear is produced in limited numbers. 

We source all of our merchandise from environmentally and ethically responsible producers, including Recover Brands, PlayerLayer, Coal Headwear, Flags for Good, and Econscious. Our merchandise and fanwear items are made from fabrics such as 100% organic cotton, 100% recycled polyester from recycled plastic water bottles, upcycled cotton from manufacturing waste scraps, and hemp.

Our partnership with Recover Brands is a particularly important one, as the majority of our fanwear is produced by the North Carolina-based environmentally-conscious brand. According to their Impact Stats, by working with them again in 2025, the club: 

  • saved 987,327 gallons of water
  • avoided 37,573 lbs of GHG emissions
  • saved 74,701 kWH of fossil fuel based energy
  • diverted 62,752 plastic bottles away from the landfill

We spoke with Recover Brands about our five-year partnership on their Be The Impact Podcast.

We employed the Closed Loop Program with Recover Brands for a third straight season, embracing a circular apparel model by encouraging fans to bring their used clothing to matches to be collected and reused or recycled into new garments. This initiative effectively keeps hundreds of pounds of textile out of the landfills every year. Recover Brands have developed the technology that allows them to take back everything they produce, including blended fabrics, and recycle used fabric into new products. This process is known as a closed loop. Throughout the 2025 season we collected approximately 200+ lbs of clothing across 17 home matches.

We ensured all cotton we sourced for tees and hoodies was certified organic. This means we avoided pesticide chemicals that can harm worker health and contaminate soil and watersheds. This reduced carbon emissions associated with pesticide use and long distance transportation.

Every match poster was designed by Burlington-based artist BlakeInk and printed on-demand. Producing products on-demand (instead of in bulk) ensures there is no overproduction.

“Vermont Green FC continues to set the standard for what a community-rooted, climate-conscious club can be, and we’re honored to help bring that mission to life through sustainable apparel and gear. Their leadership on environmental justice and community impact aligns with our commitment to creating sustainable, ethically sourced apparel, and this partnership exemplifies that a better football future is possible.” – Ashley Gregg, Recover Brands

Giving

GOAL

Donate money, time, and resources to like-minded organizations to advance our Environmental Justice mission.

PROGRESS

Vermont Green FC engages in locally-focused philanthropy that advances our mission. Allocating our time and resources to maintaining a healthy environment is an investment in the future of our club. Giving for the purpose of environmental conservation and enrichment of our community are values that were core to the founding of our club and will remain core to our business practices going forward.

We are a 1% for the Planet member. 1% for the Planet is a Burlington-based non-profit whose global members commit to donating 1% of their annual sales to non-profits working on behalf of the environment. We’re proud to incorporate philanthropy into our mission and display the 1% for the Planet logo on our jerseys and training tops.

Our annual 1% for the Planet donations were split between the following environmental non-profits:

NOFA VT
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont promotes organic practices to build an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just Vermont agricultural system that benefits all living things.

Local Motion
Local Motion is a member-supported non-profit organization working on “Making it safe, accessible, and fun for everyone to bike, walk, and roll in Vermont.” Through the promotion of walking and biking events, the organization of education and training opportunities, giving a voice to bike/pedestrian issues within the statehouse and working with communities to make on-the-ground changes to increase safety for walking and biking – Local Motion is helping Vermont communities to become more walkable, bikeable and livable.  

Green Up Vermont
Green Up Vermont’s mission is to promote the stewardship of our state’s natural landscape and waterways, and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day while raising public awareness about the health, economic, and visual benefits of a litter-free environment year-round.

Friends of the Winooski River
Founded in 1998, Friends of the Winooski River is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Winooski River and its watershed. We hope to create a community of stewards working to improve watershed health by reducing pollution, improving habitat, increasing river stability, and encouraging the sustainable enjoyment of our river.

Vermont Parks Forever
Vermont Parks Forever, the non-profit foundation for Vermont’s 55 state parks, enhances and protects the parks by inspiring stewardship of natural places, providing educational experiences, and improving access for those who would otherwise be unable to experience all the parks have to offer. Those interested can check out their 2025 Vermont Parks Forever Impact Report. 

Run On Climate
Run On Climate’s mission is to accelerate cutting-edge climate policy at the local level in communities across the country by supporting candidates, collaborating with elected leaders, and expanding the influence of climate justice advocates.

Rural Vermont
Rural Vermont’s mission is to lead the resurgence of community-scale agriculture through education, advocacy, and organizing in support of Vermonters living in deep connection to one another and to the land that nourishes us all. 

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is a non-profit organization committed to nurturing the sustainable development of Vermont’s economy.

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC)
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps takes action and builds community by working and learning together with the land.

Vermont River Conservancy
Vermont River Conservancy protects and restores rivers for people and wildlife in Vermont.

Intervale Center
Intervale Center is a dynamic non-profit in Burlington that implements innovative, replicable and place-based solutions to address some of global agriculture’s most pressing problems. They are transforming the food system from one that is degrading, anonymous and industrial, to one that is restorative, familiar and human-scale. They are working to foster a local food economy that is good for people and the planet.

350 Vermont
350VT is building a people-powered and people-led climate justice movement in Vermont for a just, thriving world.

Vermont Natural Resources Council
Through research, education, collaboration and advocacy, VNRC protects and enhances Vermont’s natural environments, vibrant communities, productive working landscapes, rural character and unique sense of place, and prepares the state for future challenges and opportunities.

VPIREF
The common mission of VPIREF and VPIRG is to promote the health and well-being of Vermont’s people, environment, and locally-based economy by informing and mobilizing citizens across the state. VPIREF and VPIRG combine to be the largest consumer and environmental advocacy and education organization in Vermont.

We Are Neutral
We Are Neutral is an environmental nonprofit that helps businesses and individuals understand their comprehensive environmental footprints, giving them the opportunity to take responsibility for their impact, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a balanced and positive relationship with our planet. 

At our fourth annual Pride Night on June 7th, all proceeds from Pride-themed items sold by the club in-stadium were donated to Rutland County Pride, a Rutland, VT-based non-profit organization dedicated to enhance and sustain the well-being of the 2STLGBQIA+ and allied communities by providing programs and services that cultivate community; advocate for 2STLGBQIA+ interests; and educate, empower, and socially support Rutland County Vermonters. Representatives from Rutland Pride spoke to the sold out crowd at halftime about their work. We encouraged fans to make direct donations to the organization, and those who did were given a free Vermont Green FC pride sticker at the merch tent.

Vermont Green players visited the local community center, King Street Center, to spend time with Burlington’s youth, playing soccer, basketball, and more. Working with King Street Center has been a staple of the club’s community outreach since 2022. Our players have shown a strong willingness and desire to be a part of our local community, especially in regard to working with youth. We believe that the impact of this work is mutually beneficial for the King Street Center kids and our young adult athletes. We’re grateful to the directors, staff, and youth of King Street Center for the opportunity to share this time and space.

Vermont Green players visited local youth soccer clubs Far Post SC, Nordic SC, Burlington FC, Queen City FC, Addison United, Slate Valley United, and more. The players spent time speaking with young athletes about their goals and joined in for small games and training exercises. We believe that one of the primary benefits we can provide to our local soccer community is quality players and people for our youth to look up to. The value goes both ways, as our players are equally enriched by working with local players and coaches.

To raise funds for the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, Vermont Green FC and Sam Mewis raffled one of the legendary U.S. Women’s National Team player’s game-worn kits to benefit the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund. The effort raised $6,461.88 from 195 unique donations, and sparked a fan-led response that raised over $25,000 for the fund and for Migrant Justice. 

The Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund works to support and expand legal resources available to organizations that protect asylum seekers, immigrants, and marginalized people facing deportation or detention. 

We launched a raffle to support the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) VT, inspired by their relief efforts for farmers in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom affected by flooding. The raffle prizes included a Vermont Green FC kit, hat, scarf, a Bivo water bottle, and a box of Plink. At the conclusion of the raffle, $3,928.03 was raised from 46 unique donations and a $1,549.79 match from the club.

We donated tickets to the following local organizations to be used for their fundraising or awareness efforts:

  • 350VT
  • All Saints Catholic Academy
  • Andrew Godaire Memorial Fund
  • Bristol Elementary School
  • Burlington Electric Department
  • Burlington Football Club
  • Burlington High School Bass fishing
  • Burlington Rugby Football Club
  • CATMA
  • Colby Pattee Foundation
  • CVU High School
  • Echo Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
  • Edmunds Middle School PTO
  • Fair Haven Middle and High School
  • Friends of Fletcher Free Library
  • Friends of Morrill Memorial Library
  • Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
  • Heritage Winooski Mill Museum
  • Inclusive Arts Vermont
  • Jack Langerman Community Foundation
  • Junior League of Champlain Valley
  • JUMP – Joint Urban Ministry Project
  • Kelly Brush Foundation
  • Kesem at UVM
  • Lake Champlain Waldorf School
  • Legal Services Vermont
  • Milton High School Class of 2026
  • Milton Ski & Ride Program
  • Milton VT Project Graduation
  • NFI Vermont
  • Nordic Girls 2012 Premier
  • Peacham School PTF
  • RALLYTHON
  • Randolph-Shizukuishi Exchange Project
  • Red Cedar School
  • River Branch Community School
  • Robin’s Nest Children’s Center
  • Samaritan House – CVOEO
  • Saxon Hill School
  • South Burlington Recreation and Parks
  • Special Olympics Vermont
  • STRIDE Foundation
  • The Sustainability Academy PTO
  • UVM Children’s Hospital
  • VBSR
  • Vermont Biodiversity Alliance
  • Vermont Council on World Affairs
  • Vermont Day School
  • Vermont Department of Children and Families, Burlington District Office
  • Vermont Lions Clubs
  • Vermont Professionals of Color Network
  • Vermont Youth Orchestra Association
  • VPIRG
  • VUES Community Group
  • Winooski Memorial Library
  • ecoRI News

“Vermont Green FC has brought real magic to our state. They are champions on the field, but more importantly, they show up for our communities in meaningful ways. Their support advanced the mission and raised the profile of the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund. By providing the Fund a platform, they drove significant fundraising that resulted in more critical legal support to refugees and immigrants across Vermont.” – Mike Pieciak, State Treasurer & Founder of the Defense Fund

Education and Awareness

GOAL

Educate ourselves and our supporters on how we can influence change through the lens of environmental justice.

PROGRESS

We announced a multi-year, values-driven title partnership with Yerba Madre (formerly known as Guayakí Yerba Mate) a pioneer in organic beverages and regenerative business. The multi-year partnership includes Yerba Madre’s logo prominently displayed on the front of the club’s match jerseys and shows how brand and club partnerships can stand for cultural regeneration, climate action, and community connection.

Our foundational partnership with Ben & Jerry’s continued in the 2025 season. The partnership began in the club’s inaugural season in 2022, with the two organizations collaborating to advance environmental justice initiatives in Vermont.

We renewed our purpose-driven partnership with Seventh Generation for the 2025 season. As two Burlington-based organizations, we set out to build on a partnership that began in 2024 and highlights a shared commitment to making Vermont—and the world—a more healthy, sustainable, and equitable place.

We launched a new partnership with Green Mountain Solar, a residential and commercial solar and battery installation company based in South Burlington providing clean energy solutions for Vermonters. 

We are proud of our mission-aligned corporate partners, the majority of whom are based here in Vermont and share our environmental and social priorities.

Every home match in 2025 was sold out. The total in-person attendance grew from 28,000 in 2024, to 45,800 in 2025. This number does not track the hoards of fans watching on the north end hill, a number that was often in the hundreds. At the national final we estimated that over 2,000 fans watched the match from outside the ticketed area of Virtue Field. The massive increase in attendance in 2025 significantly expanded the reach of club’s mission.

The significant expansion of total attendance was in large part due to the club earning the right to host five playoff matches, including the USL League Two Final. Hosting playoffs shows a direct correlation: success on the field impacts the strength and reach of the mission.

After launching our first TV deal during the 2024 season with coverage of six regular season matches, the 2025 season saw ten home matches televised live on WYCI-TV (a WCAX affiliate) marking a significant expansion of access to soccer for fans in Vermont and around the region. Additionally, 10 of our 17 home matches were watched by 69,795 live stream viewers and 61,536 cable TV viewers on WYCI. The USL2 Final was broadcast on WCAX Channel 3, the most-watched television station in Vermont. The match boasted a cumulative viewership of 40,427. Over 177,131 total viewers watched Vermont Green FC matches this season. The expanded number of matches, fans in attendance, and broadcast and digital viewers were a boon to the club’s education and awareness goal.

We hosted two Women’s Exhibition Matches and a week-long women’s training camp. The team was coached by World Cup-winner Sam Mewis, and won both games in front of sell-out crowds. The matches served to both showcase top women’s college talent from the region and to build towards the clubs eventual participation in the USL W League.

After two seasons of exhibition matches, research, and operational preparation, we announced expansion into the USL W League as an inaugural member of the Northeast Division in 2026. USLW is the premier pre-professional women’s soccer league in the United States. Growing the Vermont Green ecosystem further expands awareness of environmental justice.

Club founders and women’s team players were guests on a live recording of Sam Mewis’ The Women’s Game Podcast at Higher Ground in South Burlington. The event built excitement for the Women’s Exhibition Matches and brought national attention to the story of the club and its mission. The Women’s Game is a part of the Men In Blazers podcast network. 

Meaningful press coverage and political recognition furthered education and awareness of our mission in 2025.

The club was highlighted in the New York Times’ series “50 States, 50 Solutions.” The series covered unique climate solutions in all 50 states, with Vermont Green FC’s community-focused approach to addressing the climate crisis. 

For the second time in three seasons, USL League Two named Vermont Green FC the 2025 Organization of the Year, chosen amongst the league’s 144 clubs. The United Soccer League end-of-year awards honor exemplary clubs, front office executives, and staff.

We hosted two screenings of the independent short film Today You’re With Us at Hula Lakeside in Burlington on Monday, November 10. The independent film, created by Duane Peterson III and Patrick McCormack, documents the 24 hours leading up to the 2025 USL League Two national championship match. The screenings also served as a food drive, collecting food and funds for Feeding Champlain Valley.

In September, the Burlington City Council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing Vermont Green FC’s 2025 USL League Two National Championship. The resolution also reaffirmed the city of Burlington’s shared commitment to environmental sustainability, social equity, and inclusion.

In December, Vermont’s congressional delegation (Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, and Becca Balint) introduced a resolution in the United States Senate to recognize the club’s 2025 USL League Two National Championship.

We received the VBSR Innovation & Inspiration Award in September. This award recognizes VBSR member organizations who have accomplished a recent innovative and/or inspirational achievement in the areas of Planet (Environmental Impact), People (Social Impact), and Prosperity (Economic Impact).

“I think I speak for the whole state in congratulating the Vermont Green on their extraordinary championship season, and I am glad to join my Vermont colleagues to recognize their accomplishments in the Congressional record. Undefeated. Two overtime playoff wins. Finally, national champions. Unbelievable. Vermont Green is respected by Vermonters and soccer fans around the country for their skill and heart on the field. The founders built their team the Vermont way — by involving the community and creating an organization rooted in social and environmental justice. What they have done is truly remarkable, and we know they are just getting started.” – Senator Bernie Sanders.

In 2025, we celebrated the following matchday themes and community spotlights. The community spotlight organizations all spoke at half-time.

Playoff matches weren’t themed, but had compelling speakers:

HIGHLIGHTING OUR SUPPORTERS

The success of Vermont Green FC is the success of its supporters and its people. Our environmental justice mission is the bedrock of our club, but the impact goes beyond what our club alone can achieve. We are immensely proud of the efforts of our fans—with a special shoutout to the organized supporters group, The Green Mountain Bhoys—who have time and time again used our matches to organize on behalf of their neighbors, the planet, and in solidarity with people around the globe. Equipped with many of our communities most talented artists, organizers, and leaders, Vermont Green fans are leading their own independent and compassionate movement from the Virtue Field bleachers. 

In early 2025, the Bhoys raised $2,296 for Migrant Justice by selling posters. The posters read “Hate does not grow well in the rocky soil of Vermont” — a line that was first used in 1982 on a banner at an anti-KKK rally in Wilmington, VT. 

In July, the Bhoys raised $2,500 for Migrant Justice by raffling tickets to sold out USL League Two playoff matches. The event was held at Zero Gravity.

As mentioned above, the Green Mountain Bhoys led an organic and spontaneous initiative in response to the club’s partnership with the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund and outraised the club by nearly five times. The final number was $25,107, the largest fundraiser in the history of the club.

After the season, the Green Mountain Bhoys held another fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians. It raised $980 for the campaign and highlighted our community’s collective desire to show solidarity and material support for the Palestinian people. 

“The Bhoys have really taken to heart the social justice mission of this club. Being a community club doesn’t just mean tailgates before the games, but also helping to build the kind of community we want to live in. For us, that means a space where everyone is welcomed and valued, especially the most marginalized among us. Every season, we’re looking around us to see who needs our support, and in 2025 we saw a huge need from our immigrant neighbors and the organizations that support them, so that’s where we focused our efforts. We’re really lucky to be a group of talented, creative people with varied skills and connections who care about investing their community, and to have found a club that helps us turn that care into action.” – Abbie Israel, Green Mountain Bhoys

LOOKING FORWARD

2025 was a dream season for Vermont Green Football Club. The elation of winning the national championship was a community-changing experience, but in many ways it was just a singular moment in a season of progress. Lifting the USL2 trophy was validation of work being done by thousands of Vermonters to build a football club that represents their home and their values.

The successes of 2025 have opened doors for the club and its people to walk through together, and it will take even more dedication, commitment, and investment to extend this incredible moment of growth. 

In August, we penned a letter to the fans entitled Thank You, Vermont: Reflecting on a Magical 2025 Season. The letter laid out a glimpse at the future and how we can continue to tackle our most pressing needs as a club. 

2026 will be defined by expansion. We will embark on our inaugural USL W League campaign in May, essentially doubling the size of the club, and bring unprecedented investment into women’s soccer in Vermont.

As we look back on our shared accomplishments from 2025, we look forward to 2026 with excitement and hope. We are counting down the days before we’re together again at Virtue Field, cheering on our men’s and women’s teams in Green, and continuing to build a club that exhibits the compassionate, sustainable, and progressive values of Vermonters. 

Thank you, everyone. See you soon.

Up the Green!

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