Vermont Green FC: Triumph on the pitch, impact beyond the game

Vermont Green FC women lead the charge in showcasing an undefeated 2025 exhibition campaign against Flower City 1872 and AS Blainville.

On June 11 and 14, the Vermont Green FC women’s team suited up to show the New England community that Vermont is a soccer state. The annual exhibition matches were announced in February, with former USWNT midfielder Sam Mewis returning as head coach.

Vermont Green FC’s women’s team is still in its early stages, making these exhibition matches the perfect opportunity to showcase the community’s support. It also highlights the caliber of talent fans can expect once the team fully establishes itself within a women’s soccer league.

Excitement buzzed through Burlington, Vermont, as The Women’s Game podcast recorded a live episode ahead of the exhibition games. The event electrified players and fans, promoting soccer nationally while highlighting Vermont’s vibrant love for the sport. Women’s sports journalist Meg Linehan was the night’s special guest, joining Mewis on stage at the iconic Higher Ground venue.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the podcast episode, make sure you add it to your list. It’s a fantastic glimpse into the energy surrounding women’s soccer in Vermont. Linehan and Tamerra Griffin also had Mewis on their Full Time Podcast to discuss Mewis’s career trajectory.

After the media coverage concluded, it was time to get to work. The roster was named a week before the action was to start, calling on familiar names that Vermont Green fans have grown to see represent this club. With both exhibition matches being sold out at Virtue Field, there was a lot of pride already being shown.

That Wednesday, Flower City 1872 came to town, and Vermont Green wasted no time making their intentions clear: Defeat was not on their minds. The first half saw them take a 1-0 lead, but this was just the beginning of their assertive play.

The second half brought an explosion of offense. In the 55th minute, Olivia Borgen extended the lead, calmly tucking away a well-placed cross. As momentum firmly shifted to the Green, their craftsmanship truly shone.

Moments later, they tacked on a third goal, culminating in a spectacular strike from Sophia Lowenburg, who sent a shot from 30 yards out straight into the top right corner, electrifying the sold-out crowd. The final whistle confirmed their authority with a resounding 4-0 victory over Flower City.

The next test arrived on Saturday when AS Blainville rolled into Virtue Field. While Vermont Green looked to continue their winning ways, their Canadian neighbors were hoping to end the undefeated campaign. And, sure enough, Blainville held a 1-0 lead at halftime.

I’m not quite sure what Mewis said at the half, but the Green rallied. They dug deep, breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute. As momentum shifted to the home side, it was only a matter of time before a second goal followed.

In the 76th minute, the crowd roared. Vermont Green extended their lead to 2-1. With time eventually expiring, the final scoreline confirmed the Green’s undefeated status in their 2025 summer exhibition matches.

The final exhibition match offered more than just on-field excitement; it also featured a special raffle. Mewis teamed up with the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund to raffle off one of her match-worn USWNT kits.

“Part of what makes the Vermont soccer community special is how people come together around the game for a bigger purpose,” said Mewis. “It is important to utilize this platform to spotlight what is going on in our country and point to an organization that is trying to protect the community that is under attack.”

In a world where game results often dominate sports headlines, Vermont Green FC, both its men’s and emerging women’s teams, consistently redefines what a football club can be. From advocating for immigrant legal defense to pioneering climate change initiatives, this is a club and a community that proves the beautiful game’s truest victories often happen away from the pitch.