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| Full name | Erie Commodores Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Erie Commodores, Commodores, ECFC | ||
| Founded | 2009; 16 years ago (2009) | ||
| Stadium | Saxon Stadium Erie, Pennsylvania | ||
| Capacity | 2,300 | ||
| Owner | John Melody | ||
| Head Coach | Rich Wall | ||
| League | National Premier Soccer League United Women's Soccer | ||
| Website | http://eriecommodores.com/ | ||
 Current season | |||
Erie Commodores FC is an Americansoccer team based inErie, Pennsylvania, competing in theNational Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of theAmerican Soccer Pyramid. The team plays its home games atSaxon Stadium, located on the campus ofMercyhurst University. In 2021, the Commodores expanded by adding a pro-am women's team that competes inUnited Women's Soccer.[1]
The "Commodores" name is a tribute toOliver Hazard Perry, aU.S. Navy commodore who operated out of Erie'sPresque Isle Bay during theBattle of Lake Erie, a flashpoint in theWar of 1812. Perry's ship, theUSSNiagara, 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. TheErie Maritime Museum now preserves theNiagara at Presque Isle Bay.
In 2009, local soccer coach Pedro Argáez foundedErie 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 asErie Commodores FC.[2] Melody later appointed Micky Blythe, another Mercyhurst alumnus, as head coach for one season. Afterward, Neil Brown, aUEFA A License holder, helped lead the Commodores in their2015 NPSL campaign.[3]
Several former Commodores players have advanced to professional soccer, including Adam Clement, who joinedVancouver Whitecaps FC ofMajor League Soccer (MLS), as well asJeremy Deighton,Greg Blum, andNeil Shaffer withPittsburgh Riverhounds SC in theUnited Soccer League. Others, like Dan Howell, Billy Colton, Sam Dorf, andDanny Deakin, pursued opportunities in international leagues, with Deakin being drafted byOrlando City SC of MLS.[4]
The Commodores developed notable rivalries, including with fellow Rust Belt Conference teamCleveland SC fromCleveland, Ohio. They previously had a rivalry withDetroit City FC ofDetroit, Michigan until they moved to theNational Independent Soccer Association. In 2020, Erie competed in the NPSL Members Cup alongside Cleveland SC,FC Buffalo, and thePittsburgh Hotspurs. The club also participated in the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo, a regional NPSL rivalry betweenErie County, Pennsylvania andErie County, New York, which ended when Buffalo joinedUSL League Two in 2023.
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 summerIndia pale ale.[5]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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 toCOVID-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 |
National:
Region/Historic Equivalent:
Conference/Historic Equivalent:
Rivalry:
John Melody (2010–present)
Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)
Rich Wall (2023–present)[6] John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)[7] Dan Howell (2015)
Micky Blythe (2014)
Neil Brown (2011–2014) Micky Blythe (2009–2013)| Men's |
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Sports teams based inErie, Pennsylvania | ||
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