# Erie Commodores FC

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.
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

In 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. 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.

### Player development

Several 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.

### Rust-belt rivalries

The 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

In 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.

## Current roster

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

## 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 |

## 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

* John Melody (2010–present)
* Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)

### Head coach

* Rich Wall (2023–present)
* John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)
* Dan Howell (2015)
* Micky Blythe (2014)

### Assistant coach

* Neil Brown (2011–2014)
* 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)