While doing this thing each year, there’s always one club that sort of defies any attempt to bring them to earth and normalize what they are doing. This year, that club is obviously Vermont Green.

2025 makes the fourth year of the little project in Burlington, Vermont that continues to grow. The laundry list of their success could go on for a while and is pretty well known to our readers, but I’ll try to list some of the cool ways Vermont Green sets itself apart from most of the other soccer clubs in USL League 2 and the rest of amateur soccer.

Focus on Environmental Impact - Yes, the club is named Green, but there’s a lot of depth to this focus on environmental justice. From the club’s website: “We’re on a mission to build a soccer club that reflects these values and embeds environmental justice into its competitive strategy, operational processes, and culture. We’re building a club that prioritizes the environment in all business decisions impacting our local and global communities.”

Connection to the Community - When I spoke with Patrick Infurna, one of the founders of the club, he was laser-pointed on making their club the club for Vermont. It’s become THE SPOT for locals to support their team, including Senator Bernie Sanders. That connection paid off mightily when season tickets went on sale for this season and sold out in 24 hours.

Local Players Contributing - The roster is filled with local guys who are growing into being the best in the nation. When University of Vermont won the NCAA Championship in 2024, many of the players that contributed to that title were playing in the USL League Two final for Vermont Green in 2025.

*Image credit Patrick McCormack and Vermont Green*

Dressed to Impress - The team consistently delivers in the area of fashion, sporting some of the best looking kits in the country. Sure, it may not earn them a W, but looking good sells the brand and directly impacts the club’s bottom line.

Equality - This year, the club announced a women’s side coming next season. With the men shining on the amateur side, there’s no doubt that the professionalism and class that permeates the program will be there for the emerging of the new women’s team.

Excellence on The Field - Did I mention the USL League Two Championship? Vermont was a dominant champion that played in front of some of the most magical home crowds in the country. The scenes of their play are the photographs that all leagues should point to when discussing the potential of lower league soccer. Just incredible!

So yeah, Vermont Green, the darlings of lower league soccer. The team so sweet, it’s impossible to hate them. Another spectacular year of growth, but this time with a national crown to top it off. An obvious nomination for Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year.

- Dan Vaughn