Vermont Green FC is inching closer to the 2026 season but had matters off the field it needed to address first.
The club came out and publicly condemned ICE after the murder of two American citizens.
"Vermont Green Football Club stands in solidarity with the people of Minnesota," the club statement read. For too long, ICE has been given the authority to terrorize our most vulnerable neighbors, lawlessly and without accountability. The recent murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by U.S. federal agents should horrify those of conscience, and we mourn this senseless loss of life. With the safety of our own community in mind, we echo the call: ICE OUT! As a football club in Vermont, we are responsible for the health, safety, and development of athletes from all over the world. Players who sign for Vermont Green represent our beloved community and home."
As a result of ICE's infiltration of communities, the club also called for U.S. Soccer to intervene to guarantee the safety of all athletes and fans at the 2026 World Cup.
"In this moment, our sport must begin asking difficult questions of itself. Our confidence in the United States’ ability to guarantee the safety of all athletes and fans at the 2026 World Cup is wavering, and we call on the U.S. Soccer Federation and FIFA to address this rising concern directly. We must collectively reject the hijacking of our game for authoritarian political theater and sportswashing. This country is not fit to host the world’s biggest sporting event if it cannot guarantee that athletes and fans will not be intimidated, abducted, or even killed by violent, untrained federal agents—which we have seen in Minneapolis," the statement said. "Whether at the biggest stadiums in the country, or small ones like our own, everyone deserves to know they are safe."
In addition, USL League Two finalized its divisions for the 2026 campaign. The Northeast Division will expand to 10 clubs as the Connecticut Rush joins the likes of Seacoast United, Western Mass Pioneers, New England FC, and AC Connecticut.
The full team list is below:
