Erie Commodores FC is an American professional soccer team based in Erie, Pennsylvania which competes in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a nationwide amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team plays their home matches at McConnell Family Stadium.
The "Commodores" name alludes to Oliver Hazard Perry, a United States Navy commodore who based his operations at Erie's Presque Isle Bay during the Battle of Lake Erie, a flashpoint in the War of 1812. The "Don't Give up the Ship" motto on the crest also derives from Commodore Perry.
History
Pedro Argaez, a local soccer coach, formed Erie Admirals SC in 2009, developing the club from an established youth soccer program by the same name. John Melody, an alumnus of Mercyhurst University in Erie, served Argaez as head coach, later acquiring full ownership while continuing to lead the team. On April 24, 2015, Melody officially re-branded his club as Erie Commodores FC.[1] He also hired fellow Mercyhurst graduate, Micky Blythe, as head coach for one season. Subsequently, Neil Brown, who received an internationally prestigious “A” license from UEFA, helped lead Commodores FC in their 2015 NPSL campaign.[2]
Several players who once played for Commodores FC moved on to the professional soccer ranks: Adam Clement with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer (MLS); Jeremy Deighton, Greg Blum, and Neil Shaffer with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League; Dan Howell in Iceland; and Billy Colton in New Zealand.
Erie Commodores FC has rivalries with other Great Lakes region NPSL clubs, to include AFC Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio), FC Buffalo (Buffalo, New York), Fort Pitt FC Regiment (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and Detroit City FC (Detroit, Michigan).
Year-by-year
| Year |
Tier |
League |
Regular Season |
Playoffs |
| 2009 |
4 |
NPSL |
1st of 6, Eastern Keystone |
Final |
| 2010 |
4 |
NPSL |
2nd of 7, Northeast-Keystone |
Did not qualify |
| 2011 |
4 |
NPSL |
1st of 8, Northeast-Keystone |
National Semifinals |
| 2012 |
4 |
NPSL |
1st of 5, Midwest-Great Lakes |
Division Final |
| 2013 |
4 |
NPSL |
3rd of 6, Midwest-Great Lakes |
National Semifinals |
| 2014 |
4 |
NPSL |
2nd of 4, Midwest-Great Lakes East |
Did not qualify |
Honors
- NPSL Great Lakes Division regular season champions, 2012
- NPSL National semifinalist, 3rd Place winner, 2011
- NPSL Northeast Region champions, 2011
- NPSL Keystone Division champions, 2011
- NPSL National runners-up, 2009
- NPSL Northeast Region champions, 2009
- NPSL Keystone Division champions, 2009
Staff
Owner
-
John Melody (2010–present)
-
Pedro Argaez (2009–2010)
Head coach
-
Dan Howell (2015–present)
-
Micky Blythe (2014)
- John Melody (2009–2013)[3]
Assistant coach
-
Neil Brown (2011–2014)
- Micky Blythe (2009–2013)
Stadia
References
External links
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| Northeast
Region | | North Atlantic | |
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| | Keystone | |
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| | Mid-Atlantic | |
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| South
Region | | South Atlantic | |
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| | Sunshine | |
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| | Southeast | |
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| | South Central | |
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| | TBD | |
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| Midwest
Region | | Great Lakes East | |
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| | Great Lakes West | |
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| West
Region | | Southwest | |
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| | Golden Gate | |
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| | Northwest | |
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| | Other topics | |
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| | Overview | |
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| | Men's national teams | |
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| | Men's outdoor leagues | |
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| | Men's indoor leagues | |
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| | Men's futsal leagues | |
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| | Cup competitions | |
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| | Men's college soccer | |
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| | Women's national teams | |
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| | Women's leagues | |
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| | Women's college soccer | |
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| Defunct men's
outdoor leagues | |
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| Defunct men's
indoor leagues | |
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| | Defunct women's leagues | |
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