The Sports Rapport

Vermont Green goes back to back, and a Red Sox trade deadline check-in

Vermont Public — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:00:00 -0000

Vermont Green FC is once again at the center of the biggest story in Vermont sports.

We speak with two-time USL2 champion, 2026 USL2 Defender of the Year, and VGFC men's captain Brandon Marshall about the team's second consecutive undefeated championship season (8:43).

The Boston Red Sox are still red hot after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. We check in with Boston Globe's Sox beat writer Tim Healey about what Monday's trade deadline and the rest of the season have in store (19:35).

Plus, Nikki Hayes and Linda Dyer preview the upcoming Dragonheart Vermont's Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival (40:35).

We also highlight the top five stories in Vermont sports from the last week (6:05).

Guests:

Brandon Marshall, Vermont Green FC men's captain

Tim Healey, Boston Globe Red Sox beat writer

Nikki Hayes, Dragonheart Vermont paddler

Linda Dyer, Dragonheart Vermont founder

The baseball show with Braves Today and the Vermont Lake Monsters

Vermont Public — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0000

It's the dead of summer and that means it's baseball season, folks.

This week on The Sports Rapport, Vermont Public senior reporter Liam Elder-Connors joins the top of the show to discuss the recent 15-game Boston Red Sox win streak and his baseball fandom (:32).

Mitch and Nathaniel also break down the top five moments of the last week in Vermont sports in the High Five (17:24).

Back to baseball, Braves Today's Lindsay Crosby calls in to discuss recent Atlanta Braves draft pick Kaiden McCarthy of Chester, Vermont, and his place in the organization (20:07).

Plus, Vermont Lake Monsters players Travis Stroh and Chase Burrows drop by on the heels of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League All-Star break to talk about the summer and the Monster's spot atop the league standings (35:53).

Guests:

Liam Elder-Connors, Vermont Public senior reporter

Lindsay Crosby, Braves Today

Travis Stroh, Vermont Lake Monsters outfielder

Chase Burrows, Vermont Lake Monsters pitcher

Do you have a topic or guest you want to see on The Sports Rapport? Email us at sports@vermontpublic.org

On the rail at Virtue Field with 'They Play in Green' and VPA's Lauren Young

Vermont Public — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, we're coming off another soccer-heavy weekend in Vermont with the World Cup wrapping up and a big weekend for Vermont Green FC.

Host Mitch Wertlieb and producer Nathaniel Wilson discuss Spain's victory over Argentina in the World Cup Final (:30), and try not to single-handedly end the Boston Red Sox's 13-game winning streak (6:22). They also break down the top five moments from the last week in Vermont Sports in the High Five (10:05).

Mike Popovitch is back on the show and he brought They Play in Green podcast co-hosts Sara Laroche and Abbie Israel along to discuss the biggest weekend in Vermont Green FC's history. The women in green hung tight with Salmon Bay FC in Seattle during the USL W League Final before falling 4-5 on penalty kicks (12:44). The men's team stays undefeated, winning two playoff games in Burlington (25:57).

Plus, Executive Director of the Vermont Principals' Association of Activities and Athletics, Lauren Young sat down with Mitch Wertlieb to discuss the current state of Vermont high school athletics and her forthcoming book, Lead Anyway: The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership That’s Real, Not Perfect, which is due for a November release (41:28).

Guests:

Sara Laroche, They Play in Green podcast host

Abbie Israel, They Play in Green podcast host

Mike Popovitch, They Play in Green podcast host

Lauren Young, Executive Director of the Vermont Principals' Association of Activities and Athletics

World Cup in Boston with Esteban Bustillos, and box lacrosse with the Vermont Voyageurs

Vermont Public — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, more Vermont Green success, Boston's World Cup run and a unique twist on lacrosse.

Host Mitch Wertlieb and producer Nathaniel Wilson get into the Boston Red Sox's nine-game winning streak (:29), and break down the top five stories in Vermont Sports from the last week (3:08).

GBH reporter Esteban Bustillos calls in to debrief Boston's recent seven-game run as a World Cup host city. He discusses the highlights and top stories from the tournament's time in Beantown (8:59).

Plus, Vermont Voyageurs Will Goyette, Harry Hutton, Peter Gilliam and head coach Jack Anzalone stop by The Sports Rapport studio to teach Mitch and the audience about box lacrosse (26:50).

Guests:

Esteban Bustillos, GBH reporter

Will Goyette, Vermont Voyageurs player

Harry Hutton, Vermont Voyageurs player

Peter Gilliam, Vermont Voyageurs player

Jack Anzalone, Vermont Voyageurs head coach

Soccer season in New England with Liv Shippee, Lauren DeGroot and Zoe McDonald

Vermont Public — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, host Mitch Wertlieb and producer Nathaniel Wilson share their thoughts on the recent trade that sent Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers (0:35), and break down the top five moments in Vermont sports from the last week (10:21).

Plus, Vermont Green FC players Olivia Shippee and Lauren DeGroot stop by the studio fresh off their USL W League Eastern Conference Championship (13:16).

Vermont Public digital producer Zoe McDonald also joins the show to share video and stories from her recent trip to Boston to watch Paraguay and Germany face off in the World Cup Round of 32 (36:31).

Guests:

Liv Shippee, Vermont Green FC goalkeeper

Lauren DeGroot, Vermont Green FC forward

Zoe McDonald, Vermont Public digital producer

Boston sports drama and Lea Davison on Olympic mountain biking and queer identity

Vermont Public — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, host Mitch Wertlieb and producer Nathaniel Wilson dig into the recent Boston sports news, including the trade rumors surrounding Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, as well as the win streak the Red Sox are riding (5:32).

The pair also discuss their excitement over the World Cup knockout stage, which kicked off with Canada's 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday (19:10).

Plus, two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist Lea Davison is in-studio to discuss mountain biking, queer identity and the new documentary It Will Be Different for You, which details her personal and career journeys (25:01).

We also break down the top five moments in Vermont sports from the last week (2:34).

Guests:

Lea Davison, two-time Olympian and two-time World Championships medalist in mountain biking

Checking in with Jack Main, Poultney forgoes football season, and Vermont rugby

Vermont Public — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, host Mitch Wertlieb is joined by MyNBC5's Jack Main to chat about the busy sports summer, including the World Cup, NHL and NBA offseasons and more (5:59).

Rugby players Sarah James, Chris Henry and Sam Brown are in-studio to preview the upcoming 53rd Annual Mad River Hayden Cup Invitational (42:43).

Plus, Rutland Herald's Tom Haley shares his reporting about Poultney High School forgoing the 2026 football season (56:15).

We also get you caught up on the top five moments in Vermont sports from the last week (3:22).

Guests:

Jack Main, MyNBC5 weekday sports anchor

Sarah James, Mad River-Stowe Rugby Football Club player

Chris Henry, Burlington Rugby Football Club vice president, player

Sam Brown, Black River Rugby Club player

Tom Haley, Rutland Herald sports reporter

Do you have a topic or guest you want to see on The Sports Rapport? Email us at sports@vermontpublic.org

Vermont Green tops the table, spring high school championships, and World Cup fever

Vermont Public — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:00:00 -0000

Football fever has taken over the world, but that's nothing new in Vermont.

This week on The Sports Rapport, Nathaniel Wilson is in for host Mitch Wertlieb. He's joined in-studio by Mike Popovitch and Tyson Foster from the Vermont Green FC podcast United in Green.

The pair breaks down the club's huge games versus Hartford Athletic and New England FC over the weekend, and discusses hydration breaks and favorite kits at this year's World Cup (6:13).

Plus, the spring high school sports season wrapped up over the weekend, and Burlington Free Press sports reporters Alex Abrami and Judith Altneu discuss the results and more than a few undefeated seasons that were capped off with state titles last week (43:54).

We also get you caught up on the recently wrapped NBA and Stanley Cup Finals (:59) and fill in the High Five top Vermont sports stories from the last week (2:53).

Guests

Tyson Foster, United in Green podcast host

Mike Popovitch, United in Green podcast host

Judith Altneu, Burlington Free Press sports reporter

Alex Abrami, Burlington Free Press sports reporter

Do you have a topic or guest you want to see on The Sports Rapport? Email us at sports@vermontpublic.org

Ben Ogden, Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Julia Kern's Green Mountain Offseason

Vermont Public — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, host Mitch Wertlieb is joined in-studio by local Olympic athletes Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Ben Ogden and Julia Kern.

The trio will debrief on their 2026 Winter Olympics experiences, discuss the offseason and pick some Vermont favorites in a game of rapid fire questions.

Timestamps

7:40 The High Five

10:29 Ben Ogden, Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Julia Kern on the 2026 Olympics and what they've been up to since

29:23 Getting to know Ben Ogden, Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Julia Kern with some lightning round questions

44:51 The sports that Ben Ogden, Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Julia Kern are watching during their offseasons

Guests
Ryan Cochran-Siegle, two-time Olympic Super G silver medalist
Ben Ogden, two-time Olympic silver medalist
Julia Kern, two-time Olympian, two-time World Championships medalist

Do you have a topic or guest you want to see on The Sports Rapport? Email us at sports@vermontpublic.org.

Previewing the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Vermont City Marathon, Upper Valley Nighthawks

Vermont Public — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, the crew has come down with World Cup fever. The Boston Globe's Michael Silverman joins the show to preview the world's biggest sporting event and discuss the preparations in host city Boston, Massachusetts.

Plus, Vermont City Marathon record-holder Ryan Smith, Upper Valley Nighthawks owner Noah Crane and Nighthawks manager Chase Allen drop by the show.

Guests

Michael Silverman, Boston Globe sports reporter

Ryan Smith, Vermont City Marathon record-holder

Noah Crane, Upper Valley Nighthawks owner

Chase Allen, Upper Valley Nighthawks field manager

Timestamps:

8:08 This week's High Five

11:22 Vermont City Marathon record-holder Ryan Smith

21:10 Previewing the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Boston Globe's Michael Silverman

39:32 NECBL and the Upper Valley Nighthawks with club owner Noah Crane and manager Chase Allen

Feels like summer with the Vermont Lake Monsters, Middlebury Pranksters and Local Motion

Vermont Public — Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, it sure feels like summer in Vermont so we had to visit the ball park of course. Vermont Lake Monsters minority owner and former NBC5 meteorologist Tom Messner took Mitch Wertlieb on a tour of Centennial Field ahead of their season opener this week.

Plus, the Middlebury College Pranksters ultimate frisbee teams became national champions on Monday. In the men's division the Pranksters beat Carelton College Chop 15-7, while their women's division club beat the Whitman College Sweets 15-6 to complete the D-III championship sweep. We check-in with friends of the show Liam Reynolds and Oscar de Swaan Arons, and also Pranksters captain Claire “Cece” Rhyneer.

With temperatures outside warming up, many Vermonters are back on their bicycles after the long winter. Local Motion Communication Specialist Val Cyr also stopped by The Sports Rapport to discuss bike advocacy and safety.

Guests:
Tom Messner, Vermont Lake Monsters minority owner
Liam Reynolds, Middlebury College Pranksters ultimate frisbee player
Oscar de Swaan Arons, Middlebury College Pranksters ultimate frisbee player
Claire "Cece" Rhyneer, Middlebury College Pranksters ultimate frisbee player
Val Cyr, communication specialist at Local Motion

Find more of The Sports Rapport: https://www.vermontpublic.org/show/sports-rapport
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsrapportvt/

Do you have a topic or guest you want to see on The Sports Rapport? Email us at sports@vermontpublic.org

Timestamps:

1:09 Our top five sporting events we want to attend this summer

3:46 The Sports Rapport tours Centennial Field with the Vermont Lake Monsters

20:32 Middlebury Pranksters Liam Reynolds, Oscar de Swaan Arons and Claire “Cece” Rhyneer talk about their D-III college ultimate championships sweep

31:20 Springtime bike safety tips and local advocacy with Local Motion's Val Cyr

Up the Green! Vermont Green FC season preview with players and United in Green

Vermont Public — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:00:00 -0000

The 2026 USL2 and USLW seasons are upon us. The Vermont Green FC men's club is defending their 2025 league title, while the women's side is looking to leave their mark on the USLW in their inaugural season. We break it all down with players from both clubs as well as Mike Popovitch and Tyson Foster from the United in Green podcast.

Newest Catamounts coach and Best Day Ever

Vermont Public — Mon, 11 May 2026 20:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, we sit down with new UVM women's basketball head coach Maureen Magarity, Best Day Ever filmmaker Berne Broudy, adaptive athlete Allie Bianchi and Vermont Public's Howard Weiss-Tisman.

High school no-hitter and ultimate frisbee

Vermont Public — Mon, 04 May 2026 20:00:00 -0000

Colchester High School senior baseball pitcher Jackson Pecor joins the show fresh off of a no-hitter he threw versus BFA St. Albans last week. Plus, Vermont Ultimate's Mariz Mangundayao and members of the Middlebury College ultimate team join to talk about the disc sport's status here in Vermont.

Panther pride and Red Sox shakeup

Vermont Public — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:31:54 -0000

Discussing the just finished undefeated regular season for the division three Middlebury women's lacrosse team with the squad's head coach and star attacker. Plus, the latest on changes to the Boston Red Sox coaching staff with NBC5 sports reporter Jack Main.

Legends and Clover

Vermont Public — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:25:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, we speak with veteran Vermont journalist Mike Donoghue about the 12 new entries enshrined into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame in a wide variety of sports, including baseball, tennis and wrestling.

Plus, we'll hear from Chris George, general manager of the new Vermont Clover FC soccer team, which ushered in its inaugural season with a roster made up entirely of athletes from Vermont and the North Country.

Hockey mad in Montreal with Jean Robillard

Vermont Public — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:45:00 -0000

Hey Quebec! This week on The Sports Rapport, we're focusing on hockey in Montreal.

With more than two decades in the Montreal Canadiens communications department, Jean Robillard joins us in studio to talk about Montreal's quest to win their first Stanley Cup since 1993, and some of the biggest moments he's seen working with hockey's most storied franchise. We also have Vermont Public News director Mark Davis, who's adopted the Habs as his favorite team, to provide insights into the games he's seen recently and the electric atmosphere when Montreal plays at home.

Going back to school with Elliott Groenewold, Brandon Marshall and Jack Main

Vermont Public — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, Mitch Wertlieb is joined by Elliot Groenewold, a Springfield native and sophomore hockey defenseman at Quinnipiac University, to discuss his decision to return to school for another year after being drafted by the NHL's Boston Bruins in 2024.

Plus, Mitch, Nathaniel Wilson, MyNBC5's Jack Main and Vermont Green FC's Brandon Marshall break down the Green's U.S. Open Cup loss to professional club Westchester SC last week.

Hazen's basketball champs, MLB season preview and trivia with Aaron and Travis Hill and Conor Ryan

Vermont Public — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

Hazen's basketball champs, MLB season preview and trivia with Aaron and Travis Hill and Conor Ryan

Chasing the Cup with Bill McKibben and Adam Pfeifer

Vermont Public — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

Producer Nathaniel Wilson sits in for Mitch Wertlieb. Nathaniel is joined by environmentalist and author Bill McKibben and Josh Crane, senior producer and managing editor for Brave Little State, to break down this past weekend’s Cross-Country World Cup Finals in Lake Placid, New York.

Plus, Vermont Green FC sporting director Adam Pfeifer sits down in-studio to debrief the club's upset victory versus Portland Hearts of Pine in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Find more of The Sports Rapport: https://www.vermontpublic.org/show/sports-rapport
Email the show: sports@vermontpublic.org
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsrapportvt/

Previewing the madness of March and the U.S. Open Cup

Vermont Public — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

This week on The Sports Rapport, Mitch and the crew try their hands at bracketology with MyNBC5's Jack Main ahead of the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments.

Plus, the United In Green podcast drops by to talk about all things Vermont Green FC and to preview their upcoming U.S. Open Cup match versus the Portland Hearts of Pine.

The winter sports championship season rages on

Vermont Public — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0000

The winter sports championship season rages on

Kicking off the winter sports playoff season

Vermont Public — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0000

It's playoff season for winter sports teams and athletes across Vermont! This week on The Sports Rapport, we check in Shannon Bollhardt, women's basketball head coach, and Josh Kessler, director of athletic communications for Saint Michael's College. Plus, MyNBC5's Weekday Sports Anchor, Jack Main joins the show to preview UVM and high school postseason play.

Looking back at the Olympics with Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Peggy Shinn

Vermont Public — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0000

Ryan Cochran-Siegle speaks with Mitch during a short stop in Vermont following the Olympics. Plus, Peggy Shinn is back to recap the Winter Games and look ahead to the Cross-Country World Cup Finals in Lake Placid in March.

Ben Ogden's silver medal and Vermont Green's new ticket lottery

Vermont Public — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:00:00 -0000

This week's show features interviews with Olympians Ben Ogden and Mac Forehand. Plus, Vermont Green FC cofounder Patrick Infurna discusses the club's new ticket lottery.

Olympian interviews and Super Bowl recap

Vermont Public — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:25:20 -0000

This week's show features interviews with Olympians Jack Young and Julia Kern. Plus, Mitch and the crew break down the Super Bowl.

Find more of The Sports Rapport: https://www.vermontpublic.org/show/sports-rapport
Email the show: sports@vermontpublic.org
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsrapportvt/

Winter Olympics preview and Super Bowl plans

Vermont Public — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:45:41 -0000

Vermont-based Olympics reporter Peggy Shinn joins host Mitch Wertlieb to talk about the Vermont athletes competing in the this month's Winter Games in Italy. Plus, we talk about plans for the Super Bowl.

Welcome

Vermont Public — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 21:33:23 -0000

We explore the teams, athletes, and stories that shape sports across Vermont, from major matchups to niche, local pursuits. Guided by host Mitch Wertlieb and fueled by many voices, we dig into what sports mean to Vermonters in a way that feels accessible, human, and alive.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or just sports-curious, this is a place to pull up a chair and join the conversation! Join us live on YouTube every Monday at 2 p.m. for lively conversation and thoughtful storytelling, all with the depth and curiosity you expect from Vermont Public.