Erie_Admirals_SC
Erie Commodores FC
Soccer club
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]
| Full name | Erie Commodores Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Erie Commodores, Commodores, ECFC | ||
| Founded | 2009; 15 years ago (2009) | ||
| Stadium | Saxon Stadium Erie, Pennsylvania | ||
| Owner | John Melody | ||
| Head Coach | Rich Wall | ||
| League | National Premier Soccer League United Women's Soccer | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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 Current season | |||
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.
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]
- 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 | 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 |
National:
- 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
Owner
John Melody (2010–present)
Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)
Head coach
Assistant coach
Neil Brown (2011–2014)
Micky Blythe (2009–2013)
- 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)
- "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC". International Soccer Network. Archived from the original on 2017-06-21. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
- "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
