As the FIFA World Cup 2026 shifts into high gear, soccer in North America is riding an unprecedented high. In Burlington, Vermont, that energy is taking on a distinctly local and purpose-driven form.
Just a few years after its founding, Vermont Green Football Club has already made a name for itself in American soccer. Competing in USL League Two – a preprofessional summer league with 144 teams – the club captured national attention last year with an undefeated championship run.
The team aims to become a net-zero club, which means reducing its climate pollution to as close to zero as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions. Fans are encouraged to bike or take public transit to games, and each match highlights a local nonprofit organization.
Yale Climate Connections spoke with Vermont Green FC cofounder Patrick Infurna about the team’s mission and goals and how the community has stepped up to amplify the team’s impact.
Yale Climate Connections: Could you introduce us to your environmental mission and what inspired it?
