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. In 2021, the Commodores expanded by adding a pro-am women's team that competes in United Women's Soccer.[1]
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| Full name | Erie Commodores Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Erie Commodores, Commodores, ECFC | ||
| Founded | 2009 | ||
| Stadium | Saxon Stadium Erie, Pennsylvania | ||
| Owner | John Melody | ||
| Head Coach | Rich Wall | ||
| League | National Premier Soccer League United Women's Soccer | ||
| Website | http://eriecommodores.com/ | ||
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The "Commodores" name is a tribute to Oliver Hazard Perry, a U.S. Navy commodore who operated out of Erie's Presque Isle Bay during the Battle of Lake Erie, a flashpoint in the War of 1812. Perry's ship, the USS Niagara, famously flew a flag with the phrase "Don't Give up the Ship" during the battle, both of which are symbolized in the Commodores' logo. The Erie Maritime Museum now preserves the Niagara at Presque Isle Bay.
History
editIn 2009, local soccer coach Pedro Argáez founded Erie Admirals SC, building on an existing youth soccer program. John Melody, a former player at Mercyhurst University in Erie, initially served as Argáez's head coach before taking full ownership of the team. On April 24, 2015, Melody rebranded the club as Erie Commodores FC.[2] Melody later appointed Micky Blythe, another Mercyhurst alumnus, as head coach for one season. Afterward, Neil Brown, a UEFA A License holder, helped lead the Commodores in their 2015 NPSL campaign.[3]
Player development
editSeveral former Commodores players have advanced to professional soccer, including Adam Clement, who joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as Jeremy Deighton, Greg Blum, and Neil Shaffer with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in the United Soccer League. Others, like Dan Howell, Billy Colton, Sam Dorf, and Danny Deakin, pursued opportunities in international leagues, with Deakin being drafted by Orlando City SC of MLS.[4]
Rust-belt rivalries
editThe Commodores developed notable rivalries, including with fellow Rust Belt Conference team Cleveland SC from Cleveland, Ohio. They previously had a rivalry with Detroit City FC of Detroit, Michigan until they moved to the National Independent Soccer Association. In 2020, Erie competed in the NPSL Members Cup alongside Cleveland SC, FC Buffalo, and the Pittsburgh Hotspurs. The club also participated in the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo, a regional NPSL rivalry between Erie County, Pennsylvania and Erie County, New York, which ended when Buffalo joined USL League Two in 2023.
The Brewers Cup
editIn 2024, the Commodores reignited their rivalry with FC Buffalo through the Erie County Brewers Cup, sponsored by Erie-based John Russell Brewing Company and Buffalo-based Big Ditch Brewing Company. The Brewers Cup features a two-game series, with one game in each city, and the two breweries collaborated to release "Lake Erie Life," a tropical summer India pale ale.[5]
Current roster
edit- 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.
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Year-by-year
edit| Year | Tier | League | Regular Season | Record | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 | NPSL | 1st of 6, Eastern Keystone | 9 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie | National Final |
| 2010 | 4 | NPSL | 2nd of 7, Northeast-Keystone | 10 wins, 2 losses, 0 ties | did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | NPSL | 1st of 8, Northeast-Keystone | 10 wins, 1 loss, 1 tie | National Semifinals |
| 2012 | 4 | NPSL | 1st of 5, Midwest-Great Lakes | 6 wins, 1 loss, 5 ties | Division Final |
| 2013 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd of 6, Midwest-Great Lakes | 6 wins, 3 losses, 3 ties | National Semifinals |
| 2014 | 4 | NPSL | 2nd of 4, Midwest-Great Lakes East | 6 wins, 6 losses, 2 ties | did not qualify |
| 2015 | 4 | NPSL | 7th of 13, Midwest | 5 wins, 7 losses, 0 ties | did not qualify |
| 2016 | 4 | NPSL | 5th of 6, Midwest-Great Lakes East | 2 wins, 4 losses, 4 ties | did not qualify |
| 2017 | 4 | NPSL | 1st of 7, Midwest-East | 6 wins, 3 losses, 3 ties | Regional first round |
| 2018 | 4 | NPSL | 1st of 7, Midwest-East | 8 wins, 1 loss, 3 ties | Regional first round |
| 2019 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd of 6, Midwest-East | 4 wins, 2 losses, 4 ties | did not qualify |
| 2020 | 4 | NPSL | Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic | N/A | Not played |
| 2021 | 4 | NPSL | 4th of 6, Midwest-Rust Belt | 1 win, 5 losses, 4 ties | did not qualify |
| 2022 | 4 | NPSL | 4th of 5, Midwest-Rust Belt | 3 wins, 7 losses, 2 ties | did not qualify |
| 2023 | 4 | NPSL | 5th of 7, Midwest-Great Lakes | 5 wins, 6 losses, 1 tie | did not qualify |
| 2024 | 4 | NPSL | 6th of 8, Midwest-Great Lakes | 3 wins, 4 losses, 3 ties | did not qualify |
Honors
editNational:
- NPSL National runners-up: 2009
- NPSL National semifinalist, 3rd Place winner: 2011
Region/Historic Equivalent:
- NPSL Midwest Region Champions: 2013
- NPSL Northeast Division Champions: 2011
- NPSL Eastern Division champions: 2009
Conference/Historic Equivalent:
- NPSL Midwest Region-East Conference champions: 2017, 2018
- NPSL Midwest-Great Lakes Conference champions: 2012
- NPSL Northeast Division-Keystone Conference champions: 2011
- NPSL Eastern Keystone Division champions: 2009
Rivalry:
- Erie County Derby Champions (vs FC Buffalo): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022
Staff
editOwner
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John Melody (2010–present)
Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)
Head coach
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Rich Wall (2023–present)[6]- John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)[7]
- Dan Howell (2015)
Micky Blythe (2014)
Assistant coach
edit
Neil Brown (2011–2014)- Micky Blythe (2009–2013)
Stadia
edit- Saxon Stadium (2022–Present)
- McConnell Family Stadium (2013, 2016–2021)
- Gus Anderson Field (2014–2015)
- Dollinger Field (2012–2013)
- Penn State Behrend Soccer/Lacrosse Complex (2010–2011)
- Family First Sports Park (2009-2010)
References
edit- ^ UWS League Two launches Lake Erie Conference
- ^ "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC". International Soccer Network. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- ^ About the Erie Commodores Football Club
- ^ "Orlando City Selects Midfielder Danny Deakin in Third Round of 2017 MLS SuperDraft | Orlando City".
- ^ "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
- ^ "Melody steps down as Admirals coach". Erie Times-News.
