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Erie Commodores FC

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Erie Commodores FC
Full nameErie Commodores Football Club
Nickname(s)Commodores, ECFC
Founded2009; 16 years ago (2009)
StadiumSaxon Stadium
Erie, Pennsylvania
Capacity2,300
OwnerJohn Melody
Head CoachDylan Sumner
LeagueNational Premier Soccer League
Websitehttp://eriecommodores.com/
Current season

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

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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.[1] 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.[2]

Player development

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Several Commodores alums have advanced to professional soccer, including:

Rust‑Belt rivalries and venue changes

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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.[4]

Brewers Cup

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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.[5]

2025 season

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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.[6]

Current roster

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As of May 17, 2022

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Chris Ralph
2 DF United States USA Antonio De La Torre
3 DF England ENG Faheem Khan
4 DF United States USA Chad Eldridge
5 DF Argentina ARG Bautista Corti
6 DF Wales WAL Sam Richards
7 MF England ENG Danny Stevens
8 MF England ENG Tom Barry
9 FW United States USA Max Wilkins
10 MF England ENG Dylan Sumner
11 MF Brazil BRA Renan Diniz
12 MF Brazil BRA Gabriel Peres
14 FW England ENG Tinashe Katsande
15 MF England ENG Ryan Beckinsale
16 FW United States USA Thomas Binkowski
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF Canada CAN Owen Jowett
19 MF United States USA Steve Yeonas
20 DF United States USA Ryan Lieser
21 FW Australia AUS Joe Knox
22 DF England ENG Andy Bennett
23 DF England ENG Gavin Morgan
24 MF England ENG Toby Gower
25 FW United States USA Jack Foht
26 FW United States USA Shawn Rapal
27 DF United States USA Peter Wagner
28 GK United States USA Jonathan Gomes
29 GK United States USA Mitchell Wolff
30 MF Morocco MAR Anass Hadran
31 GK Germany GER Friedrich Petrelli

Year-by-year

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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
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 qualified, in progress

Honors

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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

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Owner

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  • Republic of Ireland John Melody (2010–present)
  • Mexico Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)

Head coach

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  • United States Rich Wall (2023–present)[7]
  • Republic of Ireland John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)[8]
  • United States Dan Howell (2015)
  • England Micky Blythe (2014)

Assistant coach

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  • Wales Neil Brown (2011–2014)
  • England Micky Blythe (2009–2013)

Stadia

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References

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  1. ^ "Erie's NPSL Team Rebrands as Erie Commodores FC". International Soccer Network. April 14, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  2. ^ "Neil Brown takes full coaching responsibilities". National Premier Soccer League. 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  3. ^ "Orlando City Selects Midfielder Danny Deakin in Third Round of 2017 MLS SuperDraft". Orlando City SC. January 17, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "Saxon Stadium". Mercyhurst University Athletics. 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Erie County Brewers Cup 2024". Erie Commodores FC. May 24, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  6. ^ "Erie Commodores FC defeat Cleveland SC to clinch playoff spot". Erie Commodores FC. July 5, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  7. ^ ""Rich Wall/Head Coach"". Erie Commodores FC.
  8. ^ "Melody steps down as Admirals coach". Erie Times-News.
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