Vermont Green Football Club’s Alexander Hall, right, contests the ball against Lionsbridge FC’s Ricky Lewis in Burlington on Friday, July 25. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
K.C. Dressing, a 31-year-old Colchester resident, spent Friday evening exhorting the loudest section of Vermont Green Football Club fans to greater heights by pounding on a limited-edition Pearl snare drum. He’s been attending Green games for several years and is a member of the Green Mountain Bhoys, a group of dedicated longtime supporters.
“It’s a little snapshot of what makes Vermont an incredible place and what makes me feel so lucky to live here,” Dressing said.
Burlington saw two ecstatic pitch invasions this weekend at the University of Vermont’s Virtue Field, after Vermont Green won two hard-fought playoff games to take the club to its first national finals in the United Soccer League’s second tier. On Sunday night, the league announced the Vermont side would retain its home advantage again in the final against Seattle-based Ballard FC on Saturday.
“We’re incredibly excited to be hosting a final,” club co-founder Patrick Infurna said. “Our soccer community in general has earned it.”
Chris Taylor, the club’s head coach, called the team’s playoff run “an amazing ride” on Sunday after the game. He praised his players and said that support from the sold-out crowds had made a profound impact.
Owen O’Malley, the scorer of the Green’s winning penalty against Dothan United on Sunday, agreed.
“I do it for the fans, man,” O’Malley said. “I just love these guys so much.”
Vermont Green fans celebrate the football club’s semifinal win
The feeling from fans was mutual. The club estimated Sunday’s attendance at just over 4,000. When O’Malley ran to the stands to celebrate, he was immediately surrounded by a crowd of supporters — first young kids, then parents and adults.
The boisterous home support had been quieted briefly on Friday when, deep into added time, Lionsbridge Football Club scored what would have been the winning goal. Then cheers resumed as home fans realized the official’s flag was up: the goal had been offside. Two overtime goals secured a Vermont win.
Near the front of Friday’s pitch invasion, Jacob Labowitz brandished an enormous Vermont flag. The Colchester-based lawyer went to Vermont Green’s first-ever game in 2022.
“Freedom and unity right here,” he said, nodding up at the state coat of arms.
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Melissa Gara, who works at the University of Vermont Medical Center, said Sunday she was glad to have witnessed two such successful Vermont soccer teams in the same year. The University of Vermont’s men’s team that won the NCAA national championship in December — from which Vermont Green FC has recruited several top players — was still at the forefront of her mind.
“Now I’m a die-hard fan,” Gara said.
Some supporters had been all-in long before Sunday. Jack Beach and Isaac Parker, both 18, said they had waited in a virtual line for tickets in their workplace bathroom last week. Parker, who originally found the Green through Instagram, said he was invested not just in the club, but also in the success of its athletes.
“The player-fan connection is crazy,” Parker said.
Vermont Green Football Club battles Lionsbridge FC in a conference championship match in Burlington on Friday, July 25,. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
Fans have also been drawn to Vermont Green’s off-the-field culture, which includes close relationships with local businesses and an emphasis on political advocacy. Several fans said they appreciate the club’s affiliation with climate and social justice movements.
The club itself has hosted fundraisers in the past for the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. Fan groups have also organized support for organizations such as Migrant Justice Vermont. Infurna said the club considers environmental justice its “North Star.”
The club has also hosted three women’s exhibition matches and is looking to expand its women’s program in the coming years.
For people like Jessica Huber, who plays in a coed Sunday soccer league, a Vermont Green women’s team would make a difference. She went to one of the women’s matches, all of which sold out.
“I think the demand is there,” she said.
In general, Huber said, she loves the community that has formed around Vermont Green.
“Vibes are high,” she said. “Vibes are amazing.”
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