Utica City FC

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Utica City FC
Utica FC logo.png
The team's logo, as of the 2018-19 season
Full nameUtica City FC
Nickname(s)Utica City
Short nameUCFC
Founded2010 (as the Syracuse Silver Knights)
Stadium Adirondack Bank Center
Capacity3,860
Owner Tommy Tanner & Robert Esche
Head CoachHewerton Moreira
League Major Arena Soccer League
2022–23 4th, Eastern Division
Playoffs: Quarterfinals
Website Club website

Utica City FC is a professional indoor soccer team based in Utica, New York that plays in the Eastern Conference of the Major Arena Soccer League.

Contents

History

The team formed in 2011 as the Syracuse Silver Knights with the intention of playing in the new I-League (a United Soccer Leagues league set to begin play in 2011), but the team moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League when the two leagues merged. The team was rumored to be named the Syracuse Scorpions and revive the name of an old American Soccer League team. However, the name Silver Knights was announced at the team's inaugural press conference. [1]

The club is coached by former Silver Knights player, Ryan Hall, who replaced goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn, who replaced club President, Team Owner and Syracuse native Tommy Tanner for the 2016–17 season. [2]

The club has signed former Syracuse Salty Dogs player Ryan Hall, among others. The team announced the signing of former Major League Soccer star Diego Serna on October 11, 2011. [3]

The Syracuse Silver Knights' first season of play began in 2011–12 when they joined the MISL as an expansion franchise. For their inaugural season, the Silver Knights played their home games at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in downtown Syracuse.

The team finished third in the Eastern Division in 2012, having been eliminated from playoff contention when the Rochester Lancers beat the Wichita Wings on February 23, 2012. [4]

In 2013, the Silver Knight Foundation was launched to help benefit kids in tough economic and social situations. The foundation hosts events throughout the year which helps raise money for these children. Many Silver Knights players, including reserve and U19 players, volunteer their time to help partake in the events.

After the 2013–2014 season, the team announced that it was leaving the MISL along with five other teams joining the PASL, which was subsequently renamed the MASL. [5]

On June 13, 2018, the team announced that it had partnered with the Utica Comets of the AHL and would be moving to Utica as Utica City FC for the 2018-19 season. [6] The team did not play during the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [7]

Players

Active roster

Updated December 22, 2023 [8] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Julian Rodriguez
2 MF Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  DOM Emmanuel Belliard
3 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Gordy Gurson
4 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Keaton Woods
5 MF Flag of Cape Verde.svg  CPV Nilton De Andrade
7 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Alexander Gomez
9 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Dylan Hundelt (vice-captain)
10 DF Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  CIV Mohamed Ndiaye
11 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ronaldinho Diniz
12 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Taylor Walter Bond
14 FW Flag of Kenya.svg  KEN Issak Somow
No.Pos.NationPlayer
15 FW Flag of Cameroon.svg  CMR Franck Tayou
17 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tim Goldman
18 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Cole Stephens
19 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nate Bourdeau (captain)
22 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Andrew Coughlin
23 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Logan Roberts
25 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Brian Wilkin
26 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Steven Fernandez
30 DF Flag of Ecuador.svg  ECU Juan Alava
78 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nelson Santana
80 MF Flag of Cape Verde.svg  CPV Geo Alves
82 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Steve Merker
94 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Rafa Godoi

Inactive roster

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
— DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Fabinho Fernandes
8 MF Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX Cristhian Segura
No.Pos.NationPlayer
20 DF Flag of Cape Verde.svg  CPV Ricky Alves
21 DF Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  TRI Darren Toby

Year-by-year

YearLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsAttendance Average
2011–12 MISL III 3rd Eastern Division, 9–15Did not qualify2,950/6,159
2012–13 MISL III 6th MISL, 8–18Did not qualify3,401/6,159
2013–14 MISL III 4th MISL, 12–8Lost semi-finals2,689/6,159
2014–15 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 12–8Lost in Division Semi-Finals3,082/6,159
2015–16 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 11–9Lost in Division Finals2,082/6,159
2016–17 MASL 4th Eastern Division, 8–12did not qualify2,300/6,159
2017–18 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 13–9Lost Division Finals2,398/6,159
2018–19 MASL 1st Eastern Division, 17–7Lost Division Finals3,414/3,860
2019–20 MASL 3rd Eastern Conference, 14–6No playoffs3,596/3,860
2021 MASL DNPDNPN/A
2021–22 MASL 3rd East Conference, 10–14Did not qualify2,971/3,860
2022–23 MASL 4th East Conference, 13–11Lost Division Semifinals3,082/3,860
Total117–112
Win % = .511%		7–14
Win % = .333%		2,906

Club staff

[9]

Kits

PeriodSupplierHome shirt sponsorAway shirt sponsorThird shirt sponsor
2018–19OT SportsBank of UticaEmpire Recycling Corporation Merrill Lynch

Rivalries

Utica City FC/Baltimore Blast rivalry
LocationUnited States
TeamsUtica City FC
Baltimore Blast
First meetingUtica City FC 5–2 Baltimore Blast
MASL
December 2, 2018
Statistics
Most winsTied (6 games each)
Top scorer Slavisa Ubiparipovic (42 points)

Utica City FC's main rival is the Baltimore Blast. It existed in their days as the Syracuse Silver Knights and has extended to Utica City FC when the team relocated. Both teams have won five games in the series since their first meeting on December 2, 2018, a 4–2 win for Utica City. The Rochester Lancers are also considered a rival of Utica City FC. Rochester is two hours away from Utica and are Utica's closest opponent by proximity. The first matchup of this rivalry took place on November 29, 2019, with Utica City defeating Rochester by a 9–1 score.

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References

  1. ↑ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  2. ↑ John Berry (August 5, 2011). "Tommy Tanner will be head coach of Syracuse Silver Knights soccer team | syracuse.com". Blog.syracuse.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Former MLS Superstar Signs with Silver Knights - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News". www.oursportscentral.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Glenn Graham (April 14, 2014). "Baltimore Blast joining with other teams to form new indoor soccer league". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  6. ↑ "The Masl is Coming to Utica". Major Arena Soccer League. June 13, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Utica City FC opts out of 2020-21 season". WKTV NewsChannel 2. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Utica City FC roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Staff". Utica City FC. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ Davidson, Spencer (May 4, 2022). "Utica City FC names MASL veteran Moreira team's new head coach". WKTV NewsChannel 2.
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