Erie Commodores FC

Erie Commodores FC is an American 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 its home matches at Saxon Stadium on the campus of Mercyhurst University. In 2021, the Commodores added a pro-am women's team to play in United Women's Soccer.

The "Commodores" name alludes to Oliver Hazard Perry, a U.S. 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. His ship, the USS Niagara, hoisted a blue flag saying, "Don't Give up the Ship," during the battle (both featured in the Commodores' logo). Today, the Erie Maritime Museum keeps the Niagara in Presque Isle Bay.

History
Pedro Argáez, a local soccer coach, formed Erie Admirals SC in 2009, developing the club from an established youth soccer program. 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 rebranded his club as Erie Commodores FC. 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.

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 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC of the United Soccer League; Dan Howell in Iceland; Billy Colton in New Zealand, Sam Dorf in Ireland and Israel, and, most recently, Danny Deakin, who was drafted by Orlando City SC of MLS.

Erie Commodores FC has a rivalry with fellow Rust Belt conference NPSL club Cleveland SC (Cleveland, Ohio). They had a rivalry with Detroit City FC (Detroit, Michigan) until Detroit left the NPSL for the National Independent Soccer Association. In 2020, the Commodores competed in the NPSL Members Cup with Cleveland SC, FC Buffalo, and the Pittsburgh Hotspurs. The club participated in the Erie County Derby against FC Buffalo, a regional NPSL rivalry pitting Erie County, Pennsylvania and Erie County, New York until Buffalo joined USL League Two in 2023.

In 2024, the Commodores renewed their rivalry with FC Buffalo with the Erie County Brewers Cup, featuring a collaborative sponsorship by the Erie-based John Russell Brewing Company and the Buffalo-based Big Ditch Brewing Company. John Russell and Big Ditch also released Lake Erie Life, a tropical summer India pale ale beer. The Brewers Cup is a two-game series with a home game in each city.

Honors
National: Region/Historic Equivalent: Conference/Historic Equivalent: Rivalry:
 * NPSL National runners-up: 2009
 * NPSL National semifinalist, 3rd Place winner: 2011
 * NPSL Midwest Region Champions: 2013
 * NPSL Northeast Division Champions: 2011
 * NPSL Eastern Division champions: 2009
 * NPSL Midwest Region-East Conference champions: 2017, 2018
 * NPSL Midwest-Great Lakes Conference champions: 2012
 * NPSL Northeast Division-Keystone Conference champions: 2011
 * NPSL Eastern Keystone Division champions: 2009
 * Erie County Derby Champions (vs FC Buffalo): 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022

Owner

 * 🇮🇪 John Melody (2010–present)
 * 🇲🇽 Pedro Argáez (2009–2010)

Head coach

 * 🇺🇸 Rich Wall (2023–present)
 * 🇮🇪 John Melody (2009–2013, 2016–present)
 * 🇺🇸 Dan Howell (2015)
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Micky Blythe (2014)

Assistant coach

 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Neil Brown (2011–2014)
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Micky Blythe (2009–2013)

Stadia

 * Saxon Stadium (2022–Present)
 * McConnell Family Stadium (2013, 2016–2021)
 * Gus Anderson Field (2014–2015)
 * Dollinger Field (2012–2013)
 * Penn State Behrend Soccer/Lacrosse Complex (2010–2011)
 * Family First Sports Park (2009-2010)