Burlington

Vermont Green FC, Canada National Team Clash in Friendly Match Ahead of World Cup

“It was surreal,” said David Ajagbe, a forward for Vermont who hails from Vancouver. Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont Green FC plays Canada’s national soccer team in World Cup tuneup.

Published

3 months ago

June 10, 2026

Randy Breland, Managing Editor

Soccer players battling for ball on field — vermont green fc canada national team

Last updated: September 2, 2026

Key points

Vermont Green FC played against Canada’s national soccer team on June 6 in Montreal.
The match was a warm-up for Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Vermont Green FC has strong ties with Canadian soccer, featuring several Canadian players.

MONTPELIER, Vt. NewsWK — Residents of Bennington and soccer fans across Vermont were excited to see Vermont Green FC compete against the Canadian men’s national soccer team on June 6 in Montreal. This friendly match served as a final warm-up for Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The game offered Canada a chance to sharpen their skills before their first World Cup matchup against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The tournament will take place in 16 cities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, culminating in the final match on July 19.

Local Impact of the Vermont Green FC Friendly Match

A Major Milestone in Vermont Soccer News

For Vermont Green FC, a semi-professional team based in Burlington, this match was a significant milestone. Adam Pfeifer, sporting director for the team, referred to the event as “an enormous opportunity” for the club to showcase its talent on a larger stage. Although the game was closed to the public, it marked an important moment for local soccer enthusiasts.

Player Perspectives

David Ajagbe, a forward for Vermont Green FC and a junior at the University of Portland, shared his excitement about the match, stating, “It’s like a once in a lifetime opportunity — and it was just a great, great experience.” Ajagbe, originally from Vancouver, has personal ties to some Canadian players, including star Alphonso Davies from FC Bayern Munich.

Building Connections with the Canada National Soccer Team

Over the past two seasons, Vermont Green FC has fostered strong ties with Canadian soccer, boasting six Canadian players on their roster. Ajagbe was part of the team that won the national championship in 2025, competing in the USL League 2, which highlights collegiate talent. The club also participates in the annual “Maple Cup” matches against Quebec’s semi-professional teams, winning all three thus far. The team humorously noted, “What’s sweeter than Vermont maple syrup? Drinking Vermont maple syrup out of the Maple Cup trophy.” This friendly match not only emphasizes the talent within local soccer but also showcases Vermont Green’s growing prominence on the national scene.

This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

Based on reporting originally published by VTDigger. Read the original story.