Erie Commodores FC

Last updated
Erie Commodores FC
Erie Commodores.png
Full nameErie Commodores Football Club
Nickname(s)Erie Commodores, Commodores, ECFC
Founded2009;15 years ago (2009)
Stadium Saxon Stadium
Erie, Pennsylvania
OwnerJohn Melody
Head CoachRich Wall
League National Premier Soccer League
United Women's Soccer
Website Club website
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Erie Commodores FC is an American soccer team based in Erie, Pennsylvania which competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a nationwide amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team plays its home matches at Saxon Stadium on the campus of Mercyhurst University. In 2021, the Commodores added a pro-am women's team to play in United Women's Soccer. [1]

Contents

The "Commodores" name alludes to Oliver Hazard Perry, a U.S. Navy commodore who based his operations at Erie's Presque Isle Bay during the Battle of Lake Erie, a flashpoint in the War of 1812. His ship, the USS Niagara, hoisted a blue flag saying, "Don't Give up the Ship," during the battle (both featured in the Commodores' logo). Today, the Erie Maritime Museum keeps the Niagara in Presque Isle Bay.

History

Pedro Argáez, a local soccer coach, formed Erie Admirals SC in 2009, developing the club from an established youth soccer program. John Melody, an alumnus of Mercyhurst University in Erie, served Argaez as head coach, later acquiring full ownership while continuing to lead the team. On April 24, 2015, Melody officially rebranded his club as Erie Commodores FC. [2] He also hired fellow Mercyhurst graduate, Micky Blythe, as head coach for one season. Subsequently, Neil Brown, who received an internationally prestigious "A" license from UEFA, helped lead Commodores FC in their 2015 NPSL campaign. [3]

Several players who once played for Commodores FC moved on to the professional soccer ranks: Adam Clement with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer (MLS); Jeremy Deighton, Greg Blum, and Neil Shaffer with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the United Soccer League; Dan Howell in Iceland; Billy Colton in New Zealand, Sam Dorf in Ireland and Israel, and, most recently, Danny Deakin, who was drafted by Orlando City SC of MLS. [4]

Erie Commodores FC has a rivalry with fellow Rust Belt conference NPSL club Cleveland SC (Cleveland, Ohio). They had a rivalry with Detroit City FC (Detroit, Michigan) until Detroit left the NPSL for the National Independent Soccer Association. In 2020, the Commodores competed in the NPSL Members Cup with Cleveland SC, FC Buffalo, and the Pittsburgh Hotspurs. The club participated in the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo, a regional NPSL rivalry pitting Erie County, Pennsylvania and Erie County, New York until Buffalo joined USL League Two in 2023.

In 2024, the Commodores renewed their rivalry with FC Buffalo with the Erie County Brewers Cup, featuring a collaborative sponsorship by the Erie-based John Russell Brewing Company and the Buffalo-based Big Ditch Brewing Company. John Russell and Big Ditch also released Lake Erie Life, a tropical summer India pale ale beer. The Brewers Cup is a two-game series with a home game in each city. [5]

Current roster

As of May 17, 2022

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 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

Honors

National:

Region/Historic Equivalent:

Conference/Historic Equivalent:

Rivalry:

Staff

Owner

Head coach

Assistant coach

Stadia

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Premier Soccer League</span> Football league

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is an American men's soccer league. The NPSL is a semi-professional league, comprising some teams that have paid players and some that are entirely amateur. The league is officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and has automatic qualification for the U.S. Open Cup. It is the successor of the Men's Premier Soccer League, a regional league originally based in the Western United States, which has now expanded nationwide to encompass teams from 29 states. The league's motto is "A National League with a Regional Focus".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madison 56ers</span> Soccer club

Madison 56ers is an American soccer team based in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the United Premier Soccer League. Prior to the 2009 season the team was known as the Princeton 56ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Buffalo</span> Soccer club

FC Buffalo is an American soccer club based in Buffalo, New York, United States, with teams in men's and women's soccer.

The 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 98th edition of the USSF's annual national soccer championship, running from June through early October. Seattle Sounders FC, who entered the competition as the two-time defending champions, successfully defended their title again. They became the third team in U.S. Open Cup history to win three straight U.S. Open Cups. As winner of the Open Cup, the Sounders earned a place in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League Group stage. The farthest advancing USL Pro team was the Richmond Kickers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Revolution FC</span> Soccer club

Georgia Revolution FC is an American soccer club based in McDonough, Georgia, United States. The team competes in the Southeast Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the United States soccer league system. The NPSL is officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup. It is generally considered to be the level of competition behind Major League Soccer (MLS), the USL Championship, USL League One, and roughly equal with USL League Two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit City FC</span> Professional American soccer club

Detroit City FC (DCFC) is an American professional soccer club based in Detroit, Michigan, that competes in the USL Championship. The club played in the National Premier Soccer League from 2012 to 2019 and the National Independent Soccer Association in 2020 and 2021. Detroit City plays its home matches at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, an enclave of Detroit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando City SC</span> Soccer club in Major League Soccer

Orlando City Soccer Club, known as Orlando City SC or simply Orlando City, is an American professional soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. The club competes as a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top division in the United States soccer league system. Orlando City SC began play in 2015 as the 21st franchise in MLS, succeeding the USL Pro team of the same name. In doing so they became the first MLS team in Florida since Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny both folded following the 2001 season. The team plays in Downtown Orlando at Inter&Co Stadium, which it owns and operates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Pitt Regiment</span> Football club

Fort Pitt Regiment was an American soccer club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2013, the team played its first season in 2014 as a member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the Great Lakes Conference of the Midwest Region. The team was named following a name the team contest that included West Penn United and Pittsburgh Rebellion as the other two options. The team ended play in 2018 and was replaced next season by the Pittsburgh Hotspurs as the Pittsburgh area's NPSL club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Turner (soccer)</span> American soccer player

Tyler Turner is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the St. Louis Ambush in the Major Arena Soccer League, and outdoors for Iowa Raptors FC in the United Premier Soccer League. Turner is also the head coach for the Iowa Raptors second team playing the Midwest Premier League.

Harrison William Heath is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

The 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 103rd edition of the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minneapolis City SC</span> American soccer club

Minneapolis City SC is an American soccer club based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 2016, the team plays in the USL League Two, the top national league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The club won three straight NPSL North Conference championships before joining League Two. Their nickname is The Crows, coined by the club's supporters, which comes from the "Mega Murder" of crows that roost in Minneapolis.

Danny Deakin is an English footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Retford United F.C.

The 2018 National Premier Soccer League season was part of the 106th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States and the 16th season of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Elm City Express was the defending champion.

The 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 105th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in American soccer. It is the oldest ongoing competition in the United States and was contested by 97 teams from leagues in the U.S. system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland SC</span> Soccer club

Cleveland SC is an American semi-professional soccer club based in the Greater Cleveland, Ohio region. Cleveland competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) as part of the Midwest Region's Great Lakes Conference. The club was established on February 19, 2018, taking over from the recently defunct AFC Cleveland as the city's representative in the NPSL.

The 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 106th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in American soccer. It is the oldest ongoing competition in the United States, and was contested by 84 teams from leagues in the U.S. system.

The 2020 National Premier Soccer League season was part of the 108th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States and the 18th season of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Miami FC, the defending league champions, left in the off-season and joined the National Independent Soccer Association and later the USL Championship.

The 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 107th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in American soccer. After the 2020 and 2021 competitions were suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the 2022 edition would run from March to mid-September of that year. The 2022 field features 103 clubs, 71 of them fully professional—both modern-era records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron City FC</span> Soccer club

Akron City FC is an American soccer club based in Akron, Ohio, United States.

References

  1. ↑ UWS League Two launches Lake Erie Conference
  2. ↑ "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC". International Soccer Network. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  3. ↑ About the Erie Commodores Football Club
  4. ↑ "Orlando City Selects Midfielder Danny Deakin in Third Round of 2017 MLS SuperDraft | Orlando City".
  5. ↑ "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  6. ↑ ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
  7. ↑ "Melody steps down as Admirals coach". Erie Times-News .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.