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.

Erie Commodores FC

Full name	Erie Commodores Football Club
Nickname(s)	Commodores, ECFC
Founded	2009; 16 years ago (2009)
Stadium	Saxon Stadium Erie, Pennsylvania
Capacity	2,300
Owner	John Melody
Head Coach	Dylan Sumner
League	National Premier Soccer League
Website	http://eriecommodores.com/
Home colors Away colors
Current season

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.^[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

Several Commodores alums have advanced to professional soccer, including:

• Adam Clement, signed by Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
• 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^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

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
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

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

Head coach

• Rich Wall (2023–present)^[7]
• John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)^[8]
• 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)