Fort Wayne FC

History

Fort Wayne FC was launched in 2019 by a group of local entrepreneurs aiming to create a development pathway for young soccer talent. The club initially applied to join the National Premier Soccer League as an expansion team for the 2020 season. On September 9, 2019, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry publicly introduced the club, and club president Dr. Erik Magner named Greg Mauch as general manager. Assistant coaches Nick Potter and Russ Lawson were announced on December 19, 2019.

Jeff Richey was brought on as goalkeeper coach on January 29, 2020, and Mike Avery was named head coach two weeks later. The NPSL canceled its 2020 summer season on March 26, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 28, 2020, USL League Two added Fort Wayne FC for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and it was announced that Fort Wayne native and former U.S. men’s national team and MLS player DaMarcus Beasley would become a co-owner. The club made its debut on May 9, 2021, falling 3–0 to Oakland County FC.

Its first home match took place on May 23, 2021, at Shields Field, where a crowd of over 2,700 watched a 2–1 loss to Toledo Villa FC; forward Noe Garcia scored the club’s first goal. The first win came later that same day in a 1–0 friendly against Erie Commodores FC. On June 11, 2021, Fort Wayne FC earned its first USL League Two victory, beating Toledo Villa FC 3–1. The club hosted its first international friendly on June 25, 2021, welcoming Chivas Guadalajara U19 Reservas.

In August, head coach Mike Avery signed a contract extension for 2022 and was appointed sporting director. On September 22, 2021, Laurie Perolio-Bullinger was named head of Club Operations, while DaMarcus Beasley continued overseeing Football Operations. In 2022, Fort Wayne FC played 14 games, posting 9 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, finishing third in the Valley Division and missing the playoffs. The 2023 season saw the club go unbeaten in league play with 10 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss across 13 games, winning the Valley Division Championship.

However, they lost 3–2 in overtime to the Flint City Bucks in the USL League Two Playoffs Conference Quarterfinals, ending a 19-game unbeaten streak. Goalkeeper Aurie Briscoe won the USL League Two Golden Glove. In 2024, Fort Wayne FC again won the Valley Division with 8 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in 14 games. They advanced to the Conference Semifinals after a 0–0 draw and 5–4 penalty shootout win over Midwest United FC, then lost 2–1 to the Flint City Bucks.

On October 14, Scott Sproat was appointed Chief Operations Officer; he brought 23 years of experience from the Fort Wayne Komets, where he had served as President of Business Operations, and also took an ownership stake. On February 26, 2025, Fort Wayne FC was announced as a USL League One expansion team, set to begin play in 2026, the same year its new privately funded 9,280-seat soccer-specific stadium would open. The club reached the Conference Semifinals for a second straight year, losing 2–0 in overtime to the Flint City Bucks.

On November 4, 2024, majority owner Mark Music announced construction of the stadium, tentatively called Fort Wayne FC Park, with architectural work by Fort Wayne firm Design Collaborative and collaboration with developer BND Commercial. On April 2, 2026, a multiyear naming rights partnership with Ruoff Mortgage was announced, renaming it Ruoff Mortgage Stadium. The first match was held on May 3, 2026, with limited capacity due to ongoing construction, ending in a 2–2 draw against the Charlotte Independence.

The stadium’s grand opening took place on July 4, 2026, with full seating in place; Fort Wayne FC defeated Spokane Velocity FC 3–0. The club also introduced a mascot, Friendly the GoalRilla, a black-and-white ape with a gold Mohawk hairstyle matching the team’s colors.

Stadium

On November 4, 2024, majority team owner Mark Music announced the construction of a soccer-specific stadium, tentatively named Fort Wayne FC Park, to be the home of Fort Wayne FC beginning in 2026. Music retained the architectural services of Fort Wayne firm, Design Collaborative, who released the initial renderings, and also collaborated with developer BND Commercial. On April 2, 2026, Fort Wayne FC announced a multiyear naming rights partnership with Ruoff Mortgage, establishing Ruoff Mortgage Stadium as the official name.

The first match was held on May 3, 2026, with limited capacity due to ongoing construction; Fort Wayne FC hosted the Charlotte Independence, ending in a 2–2 draw. With full seating in place and some final construction remaining, the club held the stadium's grand opening on July 4, 2026; it defeated Spokane Velocity FC 3–0. The club also introduced a mascot, 'Friendly the GoalRilla,' a black-and-white ape with a gold Mohawk hairstyle to match the team's colors as well as those of a soccer ball.

Ruoff Mortgage Stadium has a matchday capacity of 9,280 and additional capacity for other events. It is the largest outdoor stadium in Northeast Indiana. It also features a 120'x35' video board, the second largest in the state. Prior to the 2026 season, Fort Wayne FC competed at University of Saint Francis's Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium.

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.

Symbols of the flag of Indiana, the flaming torch and its stars, can be found in front of the Fort Wayne FC uniform jersey. 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.