Jake Ashford

Jake Ashford. Mr. Green. Captain. Leader. Legend.

Some people will tell you that I’m exaggerating. Some people will tell you it’s foolish to call ANYONE a legend at a club that has only existed for two years and is about to start its third season. Well friends, I am here to tell you that those people are idiots. As part of the Vermont Green family since day one Jake has been a calming, cultured and consistent presence on our back line. Loved by his fellow players and fans. My good friend Leo Tolstoy once said that if you introduce a gun in act I of your story, it must go off by act III. The Open Cup game on March 19th will mark the third season El Capitan suits up for The Green. And he’s gonna go off.

We conducted a question and answer over email this winter and hope you enjoy the results

How did you first hear about Vermont Green FC and what made you decide to join for the inaugural season?
So originally I heard about the Green from my head coach at Creighton, Johnny Torres. He heard about a new USL 2 team being created and with it being in Vermont he asked a select few of us if we would like to go and I immediately said yes because who doesn't want to go to Vermont for the summer? Little did I know that it would end up making connections for me that last forever. 

How would you describe your first year in Vermont?
My first year in Vermont honestly was picture perfect. We started off the season with a 4-0 win against Boston City and never looked back. That summer honestly I do not remember a day that was not 75 and sunny. It really was perfect. The coaching staff, the owners,and the community really created such a fantastic atmosphere that summer that I knew I was going to be back without a doubt. 

What did it mean for the team and yourself to make it into the playoffs the first year of the teams existence?
If I am honest I was not surprised. We had a wonderful team that played hard all year and got the results we needed to. It just made sense that after such a good inaugural season that it would continue into our first playoff berth as well. It also was just something else to play for, to reward everyone involved for helping us to achieve such heights in our first season. 

What did it mean to you to be chosen as the captain last year?
Being the captain of any team is a very special honor but to be chosen as the captain of this team meant more than just leading the team. It meant being one of the faces of Vermont Green in the community as well as on the pitch. Everyday I woke up I knew that regardless of where I was, since Burlington is such a tight knit community that our team would be recognized everywhere and we were. Luckily for me the team was made up of great human beings that needed next to no guidance on how to be in the community eye. On the pitch was very different though because I felt a sense of leadership as well as calm when we were playing. To make the right decisions and if needed help the coaching staff on certain tough decisions. Overall there is nothing that I felt more pride about than being that captain of this team.

How would you describe your second season? What were the biggest differences from the first year to the second?
The second season had similarities as well as differences. For one the weather was about as polar opposite as can be with rain about every other day so that always plays an impact on overall attitude. Regardless of the weather though the community would always be there to support us no matter what and that was something that I noticed more so in the second season than the first. Having the same and more support for year two showed me that this was not a one year fling but something that was going to be around for a long time. Again we were quite successful in our second season winning many games but just not quite as successful as the first. There are many things that play into that so there wasn't one thing that was the cause. Regardless once again there was nothing but happiness surrounding the team and nothing but joy from us as players playing for the great community of Burlington. I also was very lucky to be able to have my girlfriend up for year two and she spent the summer up in Burlington with me, later becoming my fiancee which was amazing. So just another reason why Burlington will always be special to us.

What has been the best part of actually living in Vermont, since you spent the whole year here attending UVM and playing with the Catamounts after the USL 2 season ended?
There were a few things that I can think of but the number one was the impact that I noticed I had on surrounding parts of the community. I coached out at Nordic Soccer Club for both years I was there and the friendships I made as well as the lives of those kids have touched me in a way that I will never forget and am still in contact with one of the coaches there keeping me updated on the boys success. Another part was seeing the transition between the USL season into the college season. Watching everything around Burlington change to get ready for fall and winter all while never slowing down. I got to see parts of Vermont and the Northeast I never would have been able to see normally and got to play for one of the best programs in the country. Being a player at Vermont Green as well as UVM just allowed for me to make so many friendships that I will never forget and so many memories.

What has been your favorite non-soccer activity to do with your Vermont Green teammates?
I would say that our favorite activity has to be going to North Beach on a nice sunny day after training. Early in the summer when the water was still cool but the sun was bright and warm was something we did nearly everyday that first summer and as much as we could the second summer. 

How would you describe the community and fan support that surrounds this team?
It really is unlike anything I have ever been a part of. Creighton University is a historical program. One with so much history and a fantastic stadium but regardless of all of this Vermont has something special. The way that the community comes together for not just our games but everything. Whether it is to help with the flooding in Montpellier, food drives, local markets, etc. They really know how to support their fellow community members and they DEFINITELY know how to support the Green. I have never had a supporter section like we have at the Green, I love it too because it is from the ages of 5 to 95 and everything in between. I also think the best part is, when the game is happening and you look into the stands there are almost no phones out. Everyone is enjoying the game the way it is supposed to be enjoyed rather than through a screen. It just shows that they really do care about us and that's something I do not believe happens very often.

What are you up to this summer? Anything soccer related?
So currently I am going to be playing with the Green again in the US Open Cup this March which I could not be more excited for and from there I am hoping some professional opportunities arise. I have been on trials this spring/winter since my UVM season ended but unfortunately nothing has come from those quite yet. Regardless I am still hopeful that maybe the Green can help me achieve my next goal of playing professionally.

Closing thoughts?
I just want to say that we really could not do what we do without the support of Burlington, our fans around the globe, and especially you all the Green Mountain Bhoys. You are what makes this club special and are what no other clubs have so please continue to do what you do because it is noticed and appreciated more than you know. It is also something I have always made sure I played for when I put on that jersey.

All the best,

Jake Ashford