FC Naples

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FC Naples
FC Naples Logo.png
Nickname(s)The Wave, Sunshine City, Ciudad del Sol
FoundedJanuary 2024
StadiumParadise Coast Sports Complex Stadium
Capacity5,000
CEORoberto Moreno
Head CoachMatt Poland
League USL League One
Website https://www.fcnaples.com/
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

FC Naples is a professional American soccer club based in Naples, Florida. The club will begin to play in 2025, as part of USL League One. [1] Their home stadium will be Paradise Coast Sports Complex.

Contents

La Barra 239 is the supporters' group. [2]

History

FC Naples is the first fully professional soccer club to be based in Naples, building upon the previous long-standing presence of semi-professional sides in the area, including current NPSL club Naples United FC, with whom they share their stadium. [3]

The club's official name, crest, and branding were revealed on June 15, 2024. [4]

Roberto Moreno is the club president and co-founder. Formerly a CFO of the fitness and apparel brand Zumba, Moreno first became a minority stake investor for EFL League One Leyton Orient in April 2021. In January 2022 he invested in Belgian lower side Patro Eisden, and Bundesliga 2 club Preussen Munster the following year.

Moreno considered buying the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Although a deal never happened, he formed a connection with USL deputy CEO Justin Papadakis. After Papadakis made a trip to Naples and visited the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, he was convinced of a new location for a new USL franchise. [5]

On July 17, 2024, FC Naples announced Matt Poland as their first head coach. [6] First round of tryouts were held on September 7, 2024. [7]

Stadium

Built in 2020, Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium serves as the club's current home, and holds up to 5,000 spectators. [8] The field surface is synthetic turf.

Identity

On February 19, 2024, FC Naples announced a fan outreach initiative in which it would seek input on club branding from local residents. [9]

The club's badge is meant to be representative of Naples as a whole, and the city's defining relationship with the sea. Itself in the shape of a lightning whelk, it is adorned in gold with of shapes of a boat keel at its bottom and an art deco shell crown pattern at its top. The 'A' in the 'FC Naples' wordmark is stylized in the shape of pier pilings. [10]

The club's signature shade of deep blue is representative of the waters along which the city of Naples is located. The club announced that Hummel International will be their kit supplier. Physicians Regional Healthcare System is their primary kit sponsor, along with paradisecoast.com as their back sponsor and PFS Wealth Management as their sleeve sponsor.

Current roster

As of January 14, 2025

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
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ian Cerro
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Julian Cisneros
GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Lalo Delgado
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jake Dengler
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Brecc Evans
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ian Garrett
DF Flag of Nicaragua.svg  NCA Max Glasser
GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tony Halterman
No.Pos.NationPlayer
DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Chris Heckenberg
FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Karsen Henderlong
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Kevin O'Connor
MF Flag of England.svg  ENG Jayden Onen
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tyler Pasnik
GK Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  PUR Joel Serrano
MF Flag of Spain.svg  ESP Marc Torrellas
FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Justin Weiss

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References

  1. "USL League One announces USL Naples as new expansion club for 2025". USL League One. January 17, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  2. https://www.barra239.com/
  3. "ABOUT". FC Naples. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  4. "FC Naples unveils crest, colors ahead of inaugural season". USL League One. June 15, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  5. https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/fc-naples-florida-usl/bltfe0badc50f999512
  6. "FC Naples announces Matt Poland as inaugural head coach". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. July 17, 2024. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  7. https://www.abc-7.com/article/fc-naples-first-tryouts/61883974
  8. "PARADISE COAST SPORTS COMPLEX". FC Naples. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  9. "USL Naples seeks fan input into crest and brand". Lehigh Acres Citizen. February 19, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  10. "OUR CREST". FC Naples. Retrieved June 16, 2024.