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FC Naples
Soccer club From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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FC Naples is a professional American soccer club based in Naples, Florida. Founded in January 2024, the club began play in 2025, as part of USL League One, the third tier of the American soccer pyramid.[1] Their home stadium is at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Collier County, Florida.
The club is the first professional soccer club in Southwest Florida.[2] La Barra 239 is the supporters' group.[3]
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History
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FC Naples is the first fully professional soccer club to be based in Naples.[4][5]
The club's official name, crest, and branding were revealed on June 15, 2024.[6]
Roberto Moreno is the club president and co-founder. Formerly a CFO of the fitness and apparel brand Zumba, Moreno first became a minority stake investor for EFL League One Leyton Orient in April 2021. In January 2022 he invested in Belgian lower side Patro Eisden, and Bundesliga 2 club Preussen Munster the following year.
Moreno considered buying the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Although a deal never happened, he formed a connection with USL deputy CEO Justin Papadakis. After Papadakis made a trip to Naples and visited the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, he was convinced of a new location for a new USL franchise.[7]
Nico Cantor is also a part owner of the club. He contributes to CBS Sports' UEFA Champions League and Europa League coverage and hosts The Golazo! Show.
On July 17, 2024, FC Naples announced Matt Poland as their first head coach.[8] First round of tryouts were held on September 7, 2024.[9]
Despite being in their inaugural season, Naples already have two derbies, the Battle for Paradise with Sarasota Paradise and the Derby of the Gulf with Tampa Bay Rowdies.[10]
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Inaugural Season
FC Naples started off their inaugural 2025 season very well. They drew 1-1 with the Chattanooga Red Wolves in their first ever match with the teams first ever goal being scored by Andres Ferrin. Following this the team collected wins against the likes of Forward Madison FC, Spokane Velocity and Texoma FC. However they were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup on penalty kicks against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and suffered their first league defeat against One Knoxville SC. They did recover from this earning a 1-0 victory over USL Championship side Charleston Battery in their first ever USL Cup match because of a goal from Karsen Henderlong.
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Stadium
Built in 2020, Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium serves as the club's current home, and holds up to 5,000 spectators.[11] The field surface is synthetic turf.
Identity
On February 19, 2024, FC Naples announced a fan outreach initiative in which it would seek input on club branding from local residents.[12]
The club's badge is meant to be representative of Naples as a whole, and the city's defining relationship with the sea. Itself in the shape of a lightning whelk, it is adorned in gold with of shapes of a boat keel at its bottom and an art deco shell crown pattern at its top. The 'A' in the 'FC Naples' wordmark is stylized in the shape of pier pilings.[13]
The club's signature shade of deep blue is representative of the waters along which the city of Naples is located. The club announced that Hummel International will be their kit supplier. Physicians Regional Healthcare System is their primary kit sponsor, along with paradisecoast.com as their back sponsor, PFS Wealth Management as their sleeve sponsor and Tide Cleaners as their short sponsor.
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Current roster
- As of April 24, 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
- ^ USL Academy Contract
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References
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