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Vermont Clover FC made a victorious debut in the United Premier Soccer League earlier this month. But the newly formed club is aiming for more than just wins on the pitch: They want to be the premier development program for Vermont soccer players.
"This is a place for the best of the best kids from Vermont to play in a semipro atmosphere in the Burlington area," said co-founder Shane Bufano, who's the head coach of the Champlain Valley Union High School boys soccer team. "This is about player development. We want to showcase what Vermont players are capable of, what homegrown Vermont players are capable of."
Trey Bosworth and Chris George, Bosworth's former coach at Middlebury Union High School are the co-founders along with Bufano and Brian Buczek, the former bench boss at Stowe who doubles as Clover's head coach.
Clover FC have seen a large turnout for trainings, with over 80 college players. The club also has a pathway program for high school seniors to get ready for the college game. And for players who don't make the Clover FC game-day roster, Bufano said they will have a squad for the Elite 11 adult league.
"Being in these training environments, I wish this was available when I played," said Bufano, a CVU alum and former in-state college player. "It’s so valuable for experience."
Founded in 2011, the UPSL is a pro-development league with around 400 clubs nationwide. They are part of the fourth tier of the US Soccer pyramid. The Vermont Green FC of the USL League Two are also on this tier.
"We want to have a team that is pretty much all Vermont connections," Bufano said. "A kid who plays college soccer in Vermont or a kid from Vermont who is playing a different school (out of state) and comes home for the summer."
Clover FC is Division I of the UPSL. The league has promotion and relegation rules; Clover FC's first-year goal is to get promoted from Division I to premier.
"We expect to win our league," Bufano said.
Vermont Clover FC opened its first campaign on the road on April 4. Clover FC raced past Maine Legends FC for a 5-1 victory. Oliver Nigro, who scored the opening goal in the 12th minute was named the man of the match in a two-goal performance.
Demunga Alfani also scored twice and Michael O'Connor had the other tally for Clover.
For their efforts, Clover was named the UPSL New England match team of the week. And Nigro, Alfani, Henry Gibson and head coach Brian Buczek were honored as top performers in the Northeast Division.
Vermont Clover will host home regular-season games at Duffy Field on the campus of St. Michael's College in Colchester. Tickets are available for purchase on the Clover FC website.
Saturday, April 11: vs Maine Mystics FC, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18: vs. Dorchester City FC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 3: vs. Boston Street FC, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 17: vs. Boston Emeralds FC, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 7: vs. Maine Legends FC, 6 p.m.
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Clover FC schedule, what to know for 2026 UPSL debut season
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"This is a place for the best of the best kids from Vermont to play in a semipro atmosphere in the Burlington area," said co-founder Shane Bufano, who's the head coach of the Champlain Valley Union High School boys soccer team. "This is about player development. We want to showcase what Vermont players are capable of, what homegrown Vermont players are capable of."
Trey Bosworth and Chris George, Bosworth's former coach at Middlebury Union High School are the co-founders along with Bufano and Brian Buczek, the former bench boss at Stowe who doubles as Clover's head coach.
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Clover FC have seen a large turnout for trainings, with over 80 college players. The club also has a pathway program for high school seniors to get ready for the college game. And for players who don't make the Clover FC game-day roster, Bufano said they will have a squad for the Elite 11 adult league.
"Being in these training environments, I wish this was available when I played," said Bufano, a CVU alum and former in-state college player. "It’s so valuable for experience."
What is the United Soccer Premier League?
Founded in 2011, the UPSL is a pro-development league with around 400 clubs nationwide. They are part of the fourth tier of the US Soccer pyramid. The Vermont Green FC of the USL League Two are also on this tier.
"We want to have a team that is pretty much all Vermont connections," Bufano said. "A kid who plays college soccer in Vermont or a kid from Vermont who is playing a different school (out of state) and comes home for the summer."
Clover FC is Division I of the UPSL. The league has promotion and relegation rules; Clover FC's first-year goal is to get promoted from Division I to premier.
"We expect to win our league," Bufano said.
How did Vermont Clover FC fare in its debut?
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Vermont Clover FC opened its first campaign on the road on April 4. Clover FC raced past Maine Legends FC for a 5-1 victory. Oliver Nigro, who scored the opening goal in the 12th minute was named the man of the match in a two-goal performance.
Demunga Alfani also scored twice and Michael O'Connor had the other tally for Clover.
For their efforts, Clover was named the UPSL New England match team of the week. And Nigro, Alfani, Henry Gibson and head coach Brian Buczek were honored as top performers in the Northeast Division.
Where will Vermont Clover FC play their home games?
Vermont Clover will host home regular-season games at Duffy Field on the campus of St. Michael's College in Colchester. Tickets are available for purchase on the Clover FC website.
The 2026 home schedule for Vermont Clover FC
Saturday, April 11: vs Maine Mystics FC, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18: vs. Dorchester City FC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 3: vs. Boston Street FC, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 17: vs. Boston Emeralds FC, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 7: vs. Maine Legends FC, 6 p.m.
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont Clover FC schedule, what to know for 2026 UPSL debut season
Continue reading...
