FC Naples
Southwest Florida's first professional soccer club.
via Wikipedia: FC Naples · see source
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. 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. La Barra 239 is the supporters' group.
Quick Facts
- Club
- Naples
- Full name
- Football Club Naples
- Short name
- FCN
- Founded
- January 2024
- Stadium
- Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium
- Capacity
- 5,000
- Chairman
- Roberto Moreno
- Manager
- Zak Gordon (interim)
Facts from the source article.
History
The club's official name, crest, and branding were revealed on June 15, 2024. Roberto Moreno, club president and co-founder, previously served as CFO of Zumba and became a minority investor in EFL League One side Leyton Orient in April 2021. He later invested in Belgian club Patro Eisden in January 2022 and Bundesliga 2 side Preussen Munster the following year. After considering purchasing the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Moreno connected with USL deputy CEO Justin Papadakis, whose visit to the Paradise Coast Sports Complex convinced him of a new franchise location. Nico Cantor, a CBS Sports contributor, is also a part owner. Matt Poland was announced as first head coach on July 17, 2024, and first tryouts were held on September 7, 2024. Naples has won the Battle for Paradise with Sarasota Paradise and the Derby of the Gulf with Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Inaugural season
FC Naples kicked off their first season in 2025 with a 1-1 tie against the Chattanooga Red Wolves, where Andres Ferrin netted the franchise's maiden goal. They then notched victories over Forward Madison FC, Spokane Velocity, and Texoma FC. Their U.S. Open Cup run ended in a penalty shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and One Knoxville SC handed them their first league defeat. Bouncing back, they beat USL Championship side Charleston Battery 1-0 in their debut USL Cup match, thanks to a goal by Karsen Henderlong. The club placed 4th among 14 teams in the regular season, earning a playoff spot, but fell in the semifinals to eventual champion One Knoxville SC.
Identity
On February 19, 2024, FC Naples launched a fan outreach initiative seeking input on club branding from local residents. The badge, shaped like a lightning whelk, is gold with a boat keel at its bottom and an art deco shell crown pattern at its top; the 'A' in the wordmark is styled as pier pilings. The club's deep blue shade represents the waters along Naples. Hummel International is the kit supplier. Primary kit sponsor is Physicians Regional Healthcare System, with paradisecoast.com as back sponsor, PFS Wealth Management as sleeve sponsor, and Tide Cleaners as short sponsor.
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