Erie Commodores FC

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Erie Commodores FC
Erie Commodores.png
Full nameErie Commodores Football Club
Nickname(s)Commodores, ECFC
Founded2009;16 years ago (2009)
Stadium Saxon Stadium
Erie, Pennsylvania
Capacity2,300
OwnerJohn Melody
Head CoachDylan Sumner
League National Premier Soccer League
Website http://eriecommodores.com/
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Erie Commodores FC is an American soccer team based in Erie, Pennsylvania, competing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team plays its home games at Saxon Stadium, located on the campus of Mercyhurst University.

Contents

The SeaWolves adopted the name "Commodores" to honor Oliver Hazard Perry, a U.S. Navy commodore who commanded forces from Erie's Presque Isle Bay during the Battle of Lake Erie, a pivotal event in the War of 1812. Perry's flagship, the USS Niagara, flew the iconic "Don't Give up the Ship" battle flag, both elements featured in the Commodores' logo. The Erie Maritime Museum now maintains the Niagara at Presque Isle Bay.

History

In 2009, local soccer coach Pedro Argáez founded Erie Admirals SC, building upon an existing youth program. John Melody, a former player at Mercyhurst University, initially served as head coach and later took full ownership of the club. On April 24, 2015, Melody rebranded the team as Erie Commodores FC. [1] He appointed Micky Blythe—a fellow Mercyhurst alumnus—as head coach for one season, followed by Neil Brown (holding a UEFA A License) for the 2015 NPSL campaign. [2]

Player development

Several Commodores alums have advanced to professional soccer, including:

Rust‑Belt rivalries and venue changes

The Commodores developed rivalries with fellow Rust Belt Conference teams, such as Cleveland SC. In 2020, the club participated in the NPSL Members Cup, alongside Cleveland SC, FC Buffalo, and Pittsburgh Hotspurs. They also contested the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo until Buffalo's move to USL League Two in 2023.

From 2013 to 2021, the team played at McConnell Family Stadium on the campus of Gannon University. In 2022, the Commodores relocated to Saxon Stadium on the Mercyhurst University campus, a facility that seats approximately 2,300 spectators and features a synthetic turf playing surface. [4]

Brewers Cup

In 2024, Erie revived its rivalry with FC Buffalo through the Erie County Brewers Cup, sponsored by John Russell Brewing (Erie) and Big Ditch Brewing (Buffalo). The two-leg series featured a commissioned tropical IPA, "Lake Erie Life," released by the collaborating breweries. [5]

2025 season

During the 2025 NPSL campaign, Erie qualified for the Great Lakes conference playoffs by defeating Cleveland SC on July 5, marking another strong season under the club's continued leadership. [6]

Current roster

As of May 17, 2022

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Chris Ralph
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Antonio De La Torre
3 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Faheem Khan
4 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Chad Eldridge
5 DF Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Bautista Corti
6 DF Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Sam Richards
7 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Danny Stevens
8 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Tom Barry
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Max Wilkins
10 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dylan Sumner
11 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Renan Diniz
12 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Gabriel Peres
14 FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Tinashe Katsande
15 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Ryan Beckinsale
16 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Thomas Binkowski
No.Pos.NationPlayer
17 MF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Owen Jowett
19 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Steve Yeonas
20 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan Lieser
21 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Joe Knox
22 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Andy Bennett
23 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Gavin Morgan
24 MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Toby Gower
25 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jack Foht
26 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Shawn Rapal
27 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Peter Wagner
28 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jonathan Gomes
29 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Mitchell Wolff
30 MF Flag of Morocco.svg  MAR Anass Hadran
31 GK Flag of Germany.svg  GER Friedrich Petrelli

Year-by-year

Year Tier LeagueRegular SeasonRecordPlayoffs
2009 4NPSL1st of 6, Eastern Keystone9 wins, 0 losses, 1 tieNational Final
2010 4NPSL2nd of 7, Northeast-Keystone10 wins, 2 losses, 0 ties did not qualify
2011 4NPSL1st of 8, Northeast-Keystone10 wins, 1 loss, 1 tieNational Semifinals
2012 4NPSL1st of 5, Midwest-Great Lakes6 wins, 1 loss, 5 tiesDivision Final
2013 4NPSL3rd of 6, Midwest-Great Lakes6 wins, 3 losses, 3 tiesNational Semifinals
2014 4NPSL2nd of 4, Midwest-Great Lakes East6 wins, 6 losses, 2 tiesdid not qualify
2015 4NPSL7th of 13, Midwest5 wins, 7 losses, 0 tiesdid not qualify
2016 4NPSL5th of 6, Midwest-Great Lakes East2 wins, 4 losses, 4 tiesdid not qualify
2017 4NPSL1st of 7, Midwest-East6 wins, 3 losses, 3 tiesRegional first round
2018 4NPSL1st of 7, Midwest-East8 wins, 1 loss, 3 tiesRegional first round
2019 4NPSL3rd of 6, Midwest-East4 wins, 2 losses, 4 tiesdid not qualify
2020 4NPSLCancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic N/ANot played
2021 4NPSL4th of 6, Midwest-Rust Belt1 win, 5 losses, 4 ties did not qualify
2022 4NPSL4th of 5, Midwest-Rust Belt3 wins, 7 losses, 2 ties did not qualify
2023 4NPSL5th of 7, Midwest-Great Lakes5 wins, 6 losses, 1 tie did not qualify
2024 4NPSL6th of 8, Midwest-Great Lakes3 wins, 4 losses, 3 ties did not qualify
2025 4NPSL4th of 8, Midwest-Great Lakes6 wins, 4 losses, 0 tiesConference Semifinals

Honors

National:

Region/Historic Equivalent:

Conference/Historic Equivalent:

Rivalry:

Staff

Owner

Head coach

Assistant coach

Stadia

References

  1. ↑ "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC". International Soccer Network. April 14, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Neil Brown takes full coaching responsibilities". National Premier Soccer League. 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Orlando City Selects Midfielder Danny Deakin in Third Round of 2017 MLS SuperDraft". Orlando City SC. January 17, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Saxon Stadium". Mercyhurst University Athletics. 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC. May 24, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Erie Commodores FC defeat Cleveland SC to clinch playoff spot". Erie Commodores FC. July 5, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
  8. ↑ "Melody steps down as Admirals coach". Erie Times-News .
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