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Erie Commodores FC
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| American | true |
| clubname | Erie Commodores FC |
| image | Erie Commodores.png |
| upright | 0.8 |
| fullname | Erie Commodores Football Club |
| nickname | Commodores, ECFC |
| founded | |
| stadium | Saxon Stadium |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | |
| capacity | 2,300 |
| owner | John Melody |
| mgrtitle | Head Coach |
| manager | Dylan Sumner |
| league | National Premier Soccer League |
| season | 2015 |
| current | 2023 NPSL season |
| website | http://eriecommodores.com/ |
| pattern_b1 | _capelli shoulders white |
| leftarm1 | 0467b4 |
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| rightarm1 | 0467b4 |
| shorts1 | 0467b4 |
| socks1 | 0467b4 |
| pattern_b2 | _4squaresonshoulder |
| leftarm2 | fec51e |
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Erie, Pennsylvania | }}
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.
The SeaWolves adopted the name "Commodores" to honor Oliver Hazard Perry, a U.S. Navy commodore who commanded forces from Erie's Presque Isle Bay during the Battle of Lake Erie, a pivotal event in the War of 1812. Perry's flagship, the USS Niagara, flew the iconic "Don't Give up the Ship" battle flag, both elements featured in the Commodores' logo. The Erie Maritime Museum now maintains the Niagara at Presque Isle Bay.
History
In 2009, local soccer coach Pedro Argáez founded Erie Admirals SC, building upon an existing youth program. John Melody, a former player at Mercyhurst University, initially served as head coach and later took full ownership of the club. On April 24, 2015, Melody rebranded the team as Erie Commodores FC. He appointed Micky Blythe—a fellow Mercyhurst alumnus—as head coach for one season, followed by Neil Brown (holding a UEFA A License) for the 2015 NPSL campaign.
In 2021, they announced addition of a senior women's team to its overall program, to play in the United Women's Soccer League Two.
Player development
Several Commodores alums have advanced to professional soccer, including:
- Adam Clement, signed by Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
- Sam Dorf, signed by Waterford FC (League of Ireland 1st Division)
- Jeremy Deighton, Greg Blum, and Neil Shaffer, who played with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL)
- Danny Deakin, drafted by Orlando City SC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft
Rust‑Belt rivalries and venue changes
The Commodores developed rivalries with fellow Rust Belt Conference teams, such as Cleveland SC. In 2020, the club participated in the NPSL Members Cup, alongside Cleveland SC, FC Buffalo, and Pittsburgh Hotspurs. They also contested the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo until Buffalo's move to USL League Two in 2023.
From 2013 to 2021, the team played at McConnell Family Stadium on the campus of Gannon University. In 2022, the Commodores relocated to Saxon Stadium on the Mercyhurst University campus, a facility that seats approximately 2,300 spectators and features a synthetic turf playing surface.
Brewers Cup
In 2024, Erie revived its rivalry with FC Buffalo through the Erie County Brewers Cup, sponsored by John Russell Brewing (Erie) and Big Ditch Brewing (Buffalo). The two-leg series featured a commissioned tropical IPA, "Lake Erie Life," released by the collaborating breweries.
2025 season
During the 2025 NPSL campaign, Erie qualified for the Great Lakes conference playoffs by defeating Cleveland SC on July 5, marking another strong season under the club's continued leadership.
Current roster
Year-by-year
| 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 |
| 2025 | 4 | NPSL | 4th of 8, Midwest-Great Lakes | 6 wins, 4 losses, 0 ties | Conference Semifinals |
Honors
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
Staff
Owner
- IRL John Melody (2010–present)
- MEX Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)
Head coach
- USA Rich Wall (2023–present)
- IRL John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)
- USA Dan Howell (2015)
- ENG Micky Blythe (2014)
Assistant coach
- WAL Neil Brown (2011–2014)
- ENG Micky Blythe (2009–2013)
Stadia
- 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
References
- (2015-04-14). "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC".
- (2015). "Neil Brown takes full coaching responsibilities".
- "Erie Commodores to field senior women's team in 2022".
- (2017-01-17). "Orlando City Selects Midfielder Danny Deakin in Third Round of 2017 MLS SuperDraft".
- (2025). "Saxon Stadium".
- (2024-05-24). "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC.
- (2025-07-05). "Erie Commodores FC defeat Cleveland SC to clinch playoff spot". Erie Commodores FC.
- ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
- "Melody steps down as Admirals coach". [[Erie Times-News]].
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
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