What's next for Vermont Green FC men's team after advancing in USL League Two playoffs

The Vermont Green FC men’s team is off to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year. While in 2025, the Green had home field advantage, this year they are heading west to Laredo, Texas, for the Eastern Conference finals on Friday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. ET against Asheville City SC.

If Vermont Green win they would play in the national semifinals on Sunday, July 26.

The men’s team booked a spot in the second weekend after a dominant weekend at Virtue Field where Vermont Green outscored Ironbound SC and Ocean City Nor’easters a combined 8-0. In both contests, Vermont Green built up a 3-0 lead at halftime.

<1 / 21

<2 / 21

<3 / 21

<4 / 21

<5 / 21

<6 / 21

<7 / 21

<8 / 21

<9 / 21

<10 / 21

<11 / 21

<12 / 21

<13 / 21

<14 / 21

<15 / 21

<16 / 21

<17 / 21

<18 / 21

<19 / 21

<20 / 21

<21 / 21

The men’s team (15-0-1) appears to be hotter than the 2025 team which was known for thrilling comebacks. The 2026 team set a club record with eight straight wins and have extended its unbeaten streak to 39 matches in USL League Two play. Diego Rosas has found his form recording a goal and assist in both playoff matches pushing his total to eight goals and nine assists in 2026.

Connor Miller has also been a key contributor so far in the playoffs with one goal and two assists. Ryan Zellefrow also scored a goal and assist against Ocean City.

“What a ride it’s been at Virtue,” Miller said in a quote posted on the Vermont Green’s website. “Super proud of all the guys putting in that kind of performance to give us the chance to win another trophy.”

The Vermont Green FC women’s team suffered its first competitive loss in the USL W final falling to Salmon Bay FC 1-1 (5-4 in penalty kicks) on Saturday, July 18.

Still, there is a lot to be proud of for the newcomers who advanced to the championship game in their debut season with head coach Abby Carchio putting together a 9-1-5 record.

“It’s frustrating to make it all the way to the final and lose the match, especially in the way that we did,” Carchio said in a quote posted on the Vermont Green’s website. “It doesn’t take away from the beautiful story that we wrote though. This is year one and for us to go out and do what we did is pretty remarkable.”

It was scoreless game for much of the contest until Kaehukai Kaaihue scored for Salmon Bay in the 78th minute. Waterbury, Vermont native Louisa Thomsen came up clutch scoring the tying goal during stoppage time forcing extra time. University of Vermont women’s soccer defender Bridget Kennedy picked up the assist.

Neither team could score during the 30-minute extra time period sending the game to penalty kicks. Salmon Bay was playing in its third penalty shootout of the playoffs while Vermont Green never faced extra time or penalty kicks. The reps from the previous shootouts seemed to pay off for Salmon Bay who won its first title in club history.

Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.