Fort Wayne FC

Fort Wayne
Full nameFort Wayne Football Club
Founded2019 (2019)
Stadium
Capacity9,200
Owners
List
CoachMike Avery
LeagueUSL League One
Websitefortwaynefc.com

Fort Wayne Football Club, often abbreviated to FWFC, is an American professional soccer club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Indiana, United States, founded in 2019. The club currently competes in USL League One, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

This transition to the third tier of American soccer coincided with the opening of the club's new soccer-specific stadium, which will have a seating capacity of 9,280,[1] providing a state-of-the-art venue for fans and players alike. The team's move to USL1 is part of a broader vision to elevate soccer in the region and to establish Fort Wayne FC as a central hub for the sport in the Midwest.

History

Fort Wayne FC was founded by a group of local businesspeople who wanted to provide a stepping stone for young, talented soccer players. In 2019, the club applied to and joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) as an expansion team for the 2020 season.[2] In a public announcement on September 9, 2019, City of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry introduced the club to the city and Fort Wayne FC's president Dr. Erik Magner introduced Greg Mauch as the club's general manager.[3][4][5] On December 19, 2019, the club announced Nick Potter and Russ Lawson as the club's assistant coaches.[6]

On January 29, 2020, the club introduced Jeff Richey as the goalkeeper coach.[7] Two weeks later, FWFC announced Mike Avery as the club's head coach.[7][8][9]

On March 26, 2020, the NPSL announced the cancellation of the 2020 summer session due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11][12]

On October 28, 2020, USL League Two announced its addition of Fort Wayne FC into its league for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. It was also announced that Fort Wayne native and former United States men's national soccer team and Major League Soccer (MLS) player DaMarcus Beasley would be a co-owner of the club.[13][14][15]

2021

Fort Wayne FC made its debut on May 9, 2021, losing 3–0 to Oakland County FC. Two weeks later, on May 23, 2021, Fort Wayne FC played its first home match in front of a crowd of over 2,700 fans at Shields Field in a 2–1 to Toledo Villa FC, with forward Noe Garcia scored the club's first goal. The club's first win came on May 23, 2021, in a 1–0 friendly win over Erie Commodores FC. On June 11, 2021, Fort Wayne FC won their first-ever USL League Two win with a 3–1 victory over Toledo Villa FC.[16] In late June, on June 25, 2021, the club hosted its first-ever international-friendly match, welcoming Chivas Guadalajara U19 Reservas to Fort Wayne.[17] Head Coach Mike Avery signing a contract extension for 2022 in August and was appointed as the club's sporting director. Avery worked alongside part-owner DaMarcus Beasley, who played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the club. Finally, on September 22, 2021, the club announced Laurie Perolio-Bullinger would lead Club Operations, while DaMarcus Beasley would continue to guide Football Operations.[18]

2022

In the 2022 season, Fort Wayne FC played 14 games, finishing with 9 wins, 2 ties, and 3 losses. The club demonstrated strong performances throughout the Valley Division, ultimately securing 3rd place but missing out on the playoffs.[19]

2023

With 13 games played, the club finished with 10 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss, remaining unbeaten in league play and winning the Valley Division Championship. However, they lost in the USL League Two Playoffs Conference Quarterfinals.[20] In a match against the Flint City Bucks, Fort Wayne FC's 19-game unbeaten streak came to an end in overtime, with Lennard Fock's goal in the 116th minute sealing a 3–2 defeat. Despite the loss, goalkeeper Aurie Briscoe's season earned him the USL League Two Golden Glove, a recognition for his performances in goal throughout the campaign.[21]

2024

Fort Wayne FC dominated 2024 season, once again finishing as champions of the Valley Division, securing 8 wins, 3 ties, and 3 losses across 14 games. In the USL League Two Playoffs, they advanced to the Conference Semifinals after a tense 0–0 draw against Midwest United FC in the Quarterfinals. The match was decided by a penalty kick shootout, where Fort Wayne FC won 5–4 to move on. However, their postseason journey came to an end after a 2–1 loss to the Flint City Bucks.[22]

On October 14, Scott Sproat was appointed Chief Operations Officer of Fort Wayne FC, bringing over 23 years of experience with the Fort Wayne Komets, where he served as President of Business Operations. Scott oversees operations in sales, marketing, ticketing, partnerships, promotions, and gameday activities, working alongside DaMarcus Beasley. Sproat also holds an ownership stake in the club.[23]

2025

On February 26, 2025, Fort Wayne FC was announced as an expansion team in USL League One, the third division of the United States soccer league system, scheduled to begin play for the 2026 season; which is the same season that their new privately funded 9,280-seat soccer specific stadium will open.[24][25] The club made it to the Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive year, losing out to the Flint City Bucks 2–0 in OT.[26]

Stadium

Main article: Fort Wayne FC Park

On Nov. 4, 2024[27], Majority team owner Mark Music announced the construction of a soccer-specific stadium, tentatively named Fort Wayne FC Park. It will be the home of Fort Wayne FC beginning in 2026. Music retained the architectural services of Fort Wayne-local firm, Design Collaborative, who released the initial renderings, and will also be collaborating with developer BND Commercial.

Fort Wayne FC Park will have a matchday capacity of 9,200 and additional capacity for other events. It will be the largest outdoor stadium in Northeast Indiana.

Prior to the 2026 season, Fort Wayne FC competed at University of Saint Francis's Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium. [28]

Colors and badge

Fort Wayne FC's original official colors were Dark Blue (2768 U), Blue (279 U), Light Blue (657 U), White, Black, and Red. These colors were used throughout the club's branding and official materials.

Fort Wayne FC's 2021 home kit was white, away kit was blue, and the goalkeeper's kit was red. The three-wave lines on the club's uniform jersey sleeves, shorts and socks represent the three rivers, St. Mary's River, St. Joseph River and Maumee River, of Fort Wayne.[29] Symbols of the flag of Indiana, the flaming torch and its stars, can be found in front of the Fort Wayne FC uniform jersey.[30]

In 2022, Fort Wayne FC signed a multi-year agreement with global sports company, PUMA, as their official apparel partner.

The 2022 PUMA CUP branded home kit featured a bold design that incorporated a wavy design in royal blue, and the away kit featured PUMA's Team Liga 25 red kit.

Ahead of their move to USL League One in 2026, Fort Wayne FC rebranded, adopting autumn gold and black as their primary colors, and designing a new crest.[31]

Players & Staff

Current roster

As of February 26, 2026

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  PHI Bernd Schipmann
2 DF  ENG Jayden Smith
3 DF  USA Reid Sproat
4 DF  POR Tiago Dias
5 DF  USA Anthony Hernandez
6 DF  COL Juan Solís
7 MF  ENG Jack Thomas
8 MF  SLV Jeremy Garay
9 FW  FRA Lilian Ricol
No. Pos. Nation Player
10 MF  USA Taig Healy
13 DF  USA Michael Rempel
16 FW  ENG Daniel Oyetunde
18 MF  FRA Clarence Awoudor
23 GK  PUR Aurie Briscoe
24 MF  USA JP Jordan
41 DF  NZL James Musa
56 MF  USA Ryan Becher
86 MF  ESP Javier Armas

Coaching staff

  • Mike Avery – Head Coach
  • Keelan Barker – Assistant Coach
  • Jeff Richey – Goalkeeper Coach

Record

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular season (W–L–T) Playoffs Open Cup
2021 Great Lakes USL2 8th (1–7–5) did not qualify Ineligible
2022 Valley USL2 3rd (9–3–2) did not qualify Ineligible
2023 Valley USL2 Champions (10–0–2) Conference Quarterfinals did not qualify
2024 Valley USL2 Champions (8–2–2) Conference Semifinals did not qualify
2025 Valley USL2 Champions (9–2–1) Conference Semifinals did not qualify

Honors

References

  1. ^ "Fort Wayne FC Park".
  2. ^ "Fort Wayne FC Joins the NPSL for the 2020 Season". National Premier Soccer League. September 9, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "MAYOR HENRY WELCOMES FORT WAYNE FC; ANNOUNCES NEW SOCCER EXPANSION FOR 2020 SEASON – City of Fort Wayne". www.cityoffortwayne.org. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "Fort Wayne adds pro soccer team". WANE. September 9, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Burbrink, Jacob (September 9, 2019). "Professional soccer team coming to Fort Wayne". WPTA21. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  6. ^ "Fort Wayne FC Welcomes Nick Potter and Russ Lawson as Assistant Coaches". Fort Wayne FC. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Goalkeeper Coach: All About Jeff Richey". Fort Wayne FC. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  8. ^ "Ex-Valpo coach to lead local soccer club | Sports | Journal Gazette". www.journalgazette.net. February 15, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Cr, Kayla; all (February 14, 2020). "Fort Wayne FC names head coach, inaugural schedule". Fort Wayne's NBC. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  10. ^ "A Message from Kenneth Farrell, NPSL Chairman of the Board". National Premier Soccer League. March 26, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Soccer club sees season canceled | Professional | Journal Gazette". www.journalgazette.net. March 27, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  12. ^ "Fort Wayne FC season canceled amid COVID-19 pandemic". WFFT News. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  13. ^ mlssoccer. "Former MLS and USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley officially joins Fort Wayne FC ownership | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Fort Wayne FC To Join USL League Two For 2021 Season". USL League Two. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "Club Joins USL League Two for 2021 With Plans for USL League One in 2023". Fort Wayne FC. October 28, 2020. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  16. ^ Marini, Glenn (June 11, 2021). "Fort Wayne FC earns first USL League 2 win on road at Toledo Villa FC". WANE-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  17. ^ WANE 15 News (June 25, 2021). Fort Wayne FC falls 2–1 to Chivas on 6/25/21. Retrieved February 28, 2026 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Fort Wayne FC's Mike Avery Signs Extension for 2022 Season" (Press release). Fort Wayne, Indiana: The Journal Gazette. August 31, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Fort Wayne FC (September 21, 2022). "Fort Wayne FC extends Mike Avery's contract". FOX 55 Fort Wayne. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  20. ^ Staff, USLLeagueTwo com (July 17, 2023). "2023 League Two Playoff Field Set: Round of 32 Schedule". USL League Two. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  21. ^ Newman, Andy (February 17, 2026). "Goalkeeper Briscoe returns to Fort Wayne FC". 21alivenews.com. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  22. ^ Ayen, Josh (July 20, 2025). "Fort Wayne FC's USL League 2 run ends in third straight playoff exit to Flint City". WANE 15. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  23. ^ "Local Sports Industry Exec, Scott Sproat, Joins Fort Wayne FC as Chief Operations Officer". Fort Wayne Football Club. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  24. ^ "Fort Wayne FC moving to pro ranks in 2026". Fort Wayne FC. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  25. ^ Cohn, Justin (August 3, 2025). "USL League One primer: What does Fort Wayne Football Club's move to the pros mean?". fortwaynefc.com. Fort Wayne, IN. Retrieved August 21, 2025. Fort Wayne Football Club is energized by the response from Northeast Indiana soccer fans less than three weeks into the club accepting season ticket deposits for the 2026 season.
  26. ^ Cohn, Justin (July 30, 2025). "After season to remember, Fort Wayne Football Club prepares for move to pros and new stadium". fortwaynefc.com. Fort Wayne, IN. Retrieved August 21, 2025. Fort Wayne Football Club closed out its time in USL League Two with a terrific 2025 season, reaching the Central Conference Semifinals for the second straight year.
  27. ^ "Soccer stadium coming to Allen County in 2026". WANE 15. November 4, 2024. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  28. ^ "Fort Wayne FC to play home games at Saint Francis". WANE 15. January 10, 2023. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  29. ^ "Fort Wayne FC Crest Explained". Fort Wayne FC. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  30. ^ "Fort Wayne FC Uniforms Explained". Fort Wayne FC. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Fort Wayne Football Club unveils new brand identity featuring new crest, autumn gold and black colors". Fort Wayne Football Club. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
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