Season One: Fort Wayne FC's 2026 USL League One Preview
The roster, the storylines, and what Fort Wayne Football Club's first professional season means for the city.
Last updated: March 15, 2026.
Nobody Knows What This Team Is Yet. That’s the Best Part.
Like any new expansion team, the unknown is the biggest storyline heading into Fort Wayne Football Club’s first professional game, away at Naples on Saturday, March 7th. But unlike brand new clubs, Fort Wayne FC has had a few seasons under their belt perfecting their trade in USL League Two.
The very first home match for this USL League Two outfit was back on May 23, 2021 at Shields Field (Bishop Dwenger). While the club has maintained a core ownership group and front office throughout those years, this will be a new look team, with professional players, a new Sporting Director and a brand new soccer-specific stadium on the horizon. To say this club has arrived would be selling those USL League Two teams short, but from a professional perspective, Fort Wayne Football Club is officially here.
So where do we begin this story, this next chapter? The first answer is “Right here with The Fort Wayne Defender!” and the second answer is together, as one club, one city, starting this Saturday night. In soccer (and yes, we’ll use the word football here as interchangeable), clubs represent their cities, or even parts of their city - London has something like 13 professional teams. Fort Wayne Football Club represents us - the city, the people who call Fort Wayne home, the people who were born here and even the people who have not yet arrived here. Clubs mean something, especially for cities that miss the usual sporting spotlight in the national headlines. All of that can change. The Komets, TinCaps and every other great sports organization in Fort Wayne has a minor indication attached to their name and their identity. That also means there’s a bigger organization that has a bit more say in the day-to-day operations. Fort Wayne FC is not a minor league team. It’s a professional team that plays in the 3rd division of the US Soccer pyramid. More on this in future articles.
Sit back and enjoy the first kick. Each game will offer a new perspective on who this team is, what’s their on-field identity and we’ll get to uncover this together. But no matter the ups and downs of this 2026 season, Fort Wayne Football Club represents Fort Wayne - and that’s what matters most.
The People Running the Show
You don’t need to understand every tactical formation to appreciate what Fort Wayne FC has built. Start with the people.
Mark Music is the principal owner. He’s the President and CEO of Ruoff Mortgage, the largest mortgage lender in Indiana, and his commitment here is tangible - the new stadium is 100% privately funded. Not a cent of taxpayer money. In a landscape where stadium financing is almost always contentious, that’s important.
DaMarcus Beasley is the Director of Football Operations and co-owner. For anyone who doesn’t know the name: Beasley is a Fort Wayne native who became the only American man to play in four FIFA World Cups. He played professionally for over two decades across MLS, the English Premier League, Liga MX, and the Bundesliga. He’s a National Soccer Hall of Famer. He’s not here as a celebrity figurehead - he’s shaping the football side of the operation, from hiring to player development philosophy. The Mad Anthonys Foundation just named both Music and Beasley as 2026 Red Coat recipients, one of Fort Wayne’s most prestigious community honors.
Oliver Gage is the Sporting Director, and his hire tells you something about how seriously this club takes its approach. Gage is a native of Sheffield, England, and brings a data-analytics background to player recruitment. He spent two weeks embedded with the team during preseason, working alongside head coach Mike Avery to evaluate the roster he’d been building remotely for months. The pairing is intentional: Gage filters through thousands of potential signings with metrics, Avery evaluates them with three decades of in-person scouting experience.
Scott Sproat is the Chief Operations Officer, bringing more than 23 years of experience with the Fort Wayne Komets - one of the most successful minor league hockey franchises in the country. He also holds an ownership stake. His son, Reid, plays defender on the roster.
This isn’t a group that stumbled into professional soccer. They’ve been building toward this for five years.
Mike Avery and Tactics
Mike Avery is the only head coach Fort Wayne FC has ever known, and on February 28th he was inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame. That timing - days before his first professional match - feels like a fitting bridge between what he’s built and what he’s about to attempt.
Avery, 57, has a resume that stretches across three decades of college coaching: assistant at Notre Dame (2000-2006), assistant at Louisville (2006-2007), head coach at Valparaiso University (2007-2020), and an interim stint at Trine University in 2024. He’s been with Fort Wayne FC since its inception in 2021, compiling a 39-18-12 record in USL League Two — including a 38-10-7 mark the past four years with three consecutive Valley Division championships (2023, 2024, 2025) and back-to-back Conference Semifinal appearances.
Under Avery, Fort Wayne’s League Two teams developed players who moved on to professional careers, including Seth Antwi and Forster Ajago, who both reached MLS. His coaching philosophy, as expressed through LinkedIn posts and interviews, leans heavily on individual development, position-specific fundamentals, and building culture from the inside out. He’s on record emphasizing that youth development should prioritize individual skills over tactical systems.
What we don’t know yet: Avery has never coached a professional team in a league match. The jump from a summer collegiate league (League Two) to a 34-game professional season in League One is significant. The tactical shape, preferred formation, pressing approach, and in-game adjustments are all a bit unknown heading into March 7th. Check out John Morrissey’s Tactics Corner for Fort Wayne FC here for deeper insight. In preseason, Avery ran closed-door matches against FC Cincinnati 2, Bethel University, Indiana Tech, and Columbus Crew 2 - none with published results. The only match with a public result was the preseason finale: a competitive 2-1 loss to Lexington SC of the USL Championship, one division higher. Jack Thomas scored Fort Wayne’s goal in the 10th minute.
Avery himself acknowledged after the Lexington match that the club has “some roster challenges” to work through, but expressed confidence in the squad’s trajectory: “We have a talented young squad that is nowhere close to its ceiling yet.”
As we roll into a brand new season, in a new league, with new players, there will be much more to discuss in the tactical setup of this team, so for now, sit tight - but this is one area I’m excited to observe and provide more analysis going forward.
The Roster: 20 Players and Counting
Fort Wayne FC enters its inaugural professional season with 20 signed players as of March 6, 2026. Sporting Director Oliver Gage has stated publicly that the club intends to keep the roster young, with a philosophy of giving less experienced players opportunities in a league where the average age trends 27-28. The average age of the current Fort Wayne FC roster is approximately 23.
More signings are expected. The roster will continue to evolve in the early weeks of the season, and The Fort Wayne Defender will update this preview accordingly. Will there be a homecoming for Fort Wayne’s best known active professional, Akil Watts? He still appears to be unsigned, last playing for Major League Soccer’s St. Louis CITY SC in 2025.
Between the Posts
Bernd Schipmann, GK, 31 — The most experienced player on the roster and the current No. 1. Schipmann spent three seasons with Forward Madison in USL League One (90 appearances, 33 clean sheets). In 2024, he was nominated for League One Goalkeeper of the Year, posted 14 clean sheets, and allowed just 0.75 goals per match - second-best in the league. Born in Münster, Germany, to a German father and Filipino mother, he’s represented the Philippines internationally in World Cup qualification. He’s also played professionally in Germany for Schalke 04 II, Holstein Kiel II, and Rot Weiss Ahlen. Schipmann brings over 200 professional matches to Fort Wayne and, critically, direct experience in the league Fort Wayne is entering.
Aurie Briscoe, GK, 24 — The heart-and-soul return. Briscoe was part of three consecutive Valley Division championship teams with Fort Wayne in League Two, won the Golden Glove in 2023, and was selected to the All-Conference Team in 2025. His signing carries emotional weight - he’s the bridge between the pre-professional era and this new chapter. His public statement upon signing was notable: “There’s no better community and no better supporters group than the Three Rivers Regiment and the fans of Fort Wayne.”
The Defender
Tiago Dias, DEF, 24 — The first player signed to the inaugural roster. Dias was named Valley Division Player of the Year and selected to the All-Conference Team in Fort Wayne’s final League Two season. He represents continuity from the club’s most successful era.
Reid Sproat, DEF, 24 — A Leo High School graduate and local product. Sproat made the All-League team in USL League Two in 2023. His father, Scott Sproat, is the club’s COO, making the Sproats one of the more unique family connections in lower-division American soccer.
Juan Solís, DEF, 21 — A 6-foot-8 Colombian center back. At that height, he’s a physically imposing presence at the heart of the defense. His aerial dominance could be a major asset on set pieces, both defensively and offensively.
Anthony Hernandez, DEF, 22 — One of three players returning from the League Two era, Hernandez is entering his third season with the club. The Pickerington, Ohio native made 26 appearances over the past two seasons, contributing to back-to-back Valley Division titles and Conference Semifinal runs. He played college soccer at Bowling Green (53 matches, 43 starts) and came through the Columbus Crew Academy with USA youth national team experience. Avery has called him “a great technician” who handles the ball with precise control at top speed.
Michael Rempel, DEF, 24 — Avery’s description of Rempel may be our earliest clue about tactical intentions: “a perfect fit for how we aspire to play in Fort Wayne.” The 24-year-old fullback comes from Lindsey Wilson University (NAIA) and spent last summer with Asheville City SC in League Two, where he posted three goals and four assists in 11 matches - strong attacking numbers for a defender. Avery specifically highlighted his passing ability as critical to how the club plans to utilize fullbacks, suggesting an attack-minded back line.
Jayden Smith, DEF, 19 — Joined the Coventry City Academy at age 10 and spent nine years there before signing his first professional contract with Coventry in 2024. Coventry plays in England’s Championship, the second tier. At 19, Smith is one of the youngest players on the roster, and Sporting Director Gage has described him as someone who “oozes potential.”
James Musa, DEF, 33 — The elder statesman. Musa is a New Zealand international from Plymouth, England, with over 300 professional matches to his name, including MLS experience. Coach Avery emphasized Musa’s role as a mentor and culture-setter: someone who “knows how to take care of his body through the rigors of a long season” while “balancing it all as a father and a husband.” On a young roster, that kind of veteran leadership is invaluable.
The Midfield Engine
Javier Armas, MF, 26 — A Spanish midfielder who came through the Deportivo La Coruña youth system and represented the Galicia U15 regional team before moving to the U.S. for college soccer. He played at Oregon State - the same year as Clarence Awoudor - and brings a European technical foundation.
Clarence Awoudor, MF, 22 — One of the most decorated college players in the country last season. At UCF, Awoudor set the program’s single-season assist record (15) while adding 7 goals in 21 matches. He earned United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team honors and was a Sun Belt Conference First Team selection. Born in Saint-Lô, France, he came through the SM Caen academy before playing four years of college soccer in the U.S. He reunites with both Lilian Ricol (UCF) and Javier Armas (Oregon State) in Fort Wayne.
JP Jordan, MF, 23 — One of the few players with direct USL League One experience, Jordan played 25 matches last season for Texoma FC. The Keller, Texas native also has ACC college experience. Avery describes his ball-recovery ability as “elite,” noting that Jordan’s defensive work frees up attacking players to find space higher up the pitch. He’s also versatile enough to slot in at outside back if needed - the kind of flexibility that matters over a 34-game season.
Jeremy Garay, MF, 22 — Don’t let the age fool you - Garay has already played three matches for D.C. United of MLS between 2022 and 2024, signed by the club as a Homegrown Player. At just 22, the Woodbridge, Virginia native has experience at the highest level of American soccer that nobody else on this roster (outside of Musa) can claim. Avery noted that Garay “has experienced quite a bit in the professional game, and it speaks to his obvious talent.”
Taig Healy, MF, 22 — Quietly one of the most intriguing signings on the roster. The South Hampton, New Hampshire native just finished a remarkable senior season at NC State, helping the Wolfpack reach the College Cup Final - scoring in four consecutive postseason matches, including the 87th-minute equalizer in the championship game against Washington. He finished with 5 goals and 8 assists and was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team. Before NC State, he was the USL League Two Finals MVP with Seacoast United in 2024, where he posted 13 goals and 11 assists. Avery called him “one of those competitors who continually rises to the occasion.”
Jack Thomas, MF, 21 — The most recent signing (February 26). As a senior at LSU Shreveport, Thomas set single-season records in goals (20), assists (12), shots (86), and shots on goal (46). He was named the NAIA Player of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. He scored Fort Wayne’s goal in the preseason finale against Lexington SC, just hours after being officially added to the roster.
The Attack
Lilian Ricol, ATT, 23 — A 6-foot-3 striker from Paris who can hold off pressure and exploit space behind defenses. Ricol played one season at UCF, scoring 13 goals (four game-winners) in 21 matches, including a hat trick against James Madison and two goals in the Sun Belt championship win over Marshall. Before UCF, he played professionally in France for Chambly-Oise and Racing Club de France. Avery has said that if the team provides Ricol proper service, he’ll score — and the coach describes that as giving the whole team confidence.
Ryan Becher, ATT, 24 — Becher carries a Fort Wayne connection that predates this club. His father, Bill Becher, played for the Fort Wayne Flames and the Indiana Kick in the American Indoor Soccer Association at Memorial Coliseum from 1987 to 1990. Ryan completed last season with Union Omaha in USL League One, where he totaled 9 goals and 3 assists in 22 matches on loan from MLS Next Pro’s St. Louis City SC 2. He’s one of the few players on the roster with direct League One experience.
Daniel Oyetunde, FWD, 19 — The headline signing. Oyetunde is a permanent transfer from Arsenal, where he spent five years progressing through the Hale End Academy — the same system that produced Bukayo Saka, Cesc Fàbregas, and Ashley Cole. He signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in July 2025, was loaned to St Albans City (scoring one minute into his league debut), and made an Arsenal U-21 appearance in Premier League 2. Avery plans to deploy him on the wing, describing him as “a quick and tricky attacking player who can glide past defenders.” At 19, Oyetunde represents both immediate attacking talent and long-term upside. His signing drew coverage from Arsenal.com, Goal.com, Yahoo Sports, and The Sun — more international attention than any other signing in League One this offseason.
Ian Abbey, FWD, 21 — Added on a 25-day contract two days before the opener, Abbey is a winger who earned his spot late in preseason. He played at Rutgers from 2022 to 2024 — where he was a teammate of Aurie Briscoe — and made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2022. He logged 11 matches with MLS Next Pro’s Philadelphia Union II. The short-term deal means Abbey has 25 days to prove he belongs beyond the opening stretch.
Trace Terry, FWD, 22 — The last signing before kick, announced the day before Naples. Terry finished his Bowling Green career with 28 goals and 13 assists in 68 matches, with 11 game-winners tied for second in program history. He was drafted by Seattle in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft before returning for his senior season, and he’s a former teammate of Anthony Hernandez. Avery held a roster spot open specifically for a player like this — a tall, athletic central striker with penalty box presence and a knack for scoring when it matters most.
A Few Storylines to Watch in Season One
The Goalkeeper Battle: Bernd Schipmann & Aurie Briscoe
On paper, Schipmann is the clear-cut starter - 90 appearances and 33 clean sheets across three seasons in this exact league, a Goalkeeper of the Year nomination, and over 200 professional matches on his resume. That’s the kind of experience money can’t buy for an expansion club. But here’s the thing worth paying attention to: this is a situation Schipmann has seen before, and not from the comfortable side. His final season in Madison saw his save percentage drop from 73.5% to 63.1%, the team missed the playoffs, and he walked. Whether competition for the starting spot played a role in that departure is something only he knows, but the dynamic is worth monitoring in Fort Wayne.
Because sitting behind him is Aurie Briscoe - 24 years old, three Valley Division titles with this club, a Golden Glove winner, and someone DaMarcus Beasley personally scouted through a PSV Netherlands connection. Briscoe isn’t here to hold a clipboard. He said it himself upon signing: he’s “fully bought in” and ready for the professional game. Schipmann will almost certainly get the nod on March 7th, and he should - but don’t be surprised if Briscoe gets his shot during the season. A 34-game schedule demands rotation, and healthy competition between the posts only raises the standard for both. This is a storyline to watch all year.
Ryan Becher: Fort Wayne Runs in the Family
Every roster needs someone who plays like they have something personal on the line, and Ryan Becher might be that guy. His father, Bill, played professional indoor soccer at Memorial Coliseum for the Fort Wayne Flames and the Indiana Kick from 1987 to 1990. His father and grandfather are both members of the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame. His cousin, Simon Becher, plays in MLS for St. Louis City. Soccer isn’t just a career for the Becher family — it’s the family business, and Fort Wayne is part of that story.
But this isn’t a sentimental signing. Becher put up 9 goals and 3 assists in 22 matches with Union Omaha in League One last season - real production in the same league Fort Wayne is entering. Avery described him as someone who can play “virtually anywhere in the front six attacking positions” and noted his unusual combination of a big athletic frame with genuine technical quality. On a young roster full of players experiencing professional soccer for the first time, someone is going to have to step up as a leader in the attacking half. Dias and Sproat can anchor the back, but who organizes the press, who demands the ball in tight moments, who drives the team forward when things aren’t clicking? Becher has the pedigree, the experience, and now a personal connection to this city. He could be that voice.
The Midfield Spine: Javier Armas & Jeremy Garay
This one is less about individual stars and more about a partnership that could quietly define the season. Armas brings a Deportivo La Coruña youth academy background and Spanish technical sensibility. Garay, at just 22, has already played three MLS matches for D.C. United as a Homegrown Player - something nobody else on this roster outside of James Musa can claim. That’s a lot of professional pedigree sitting next to each other in central midfield.
The question is whether Avery pairs them together or rotates them. In a midfield that also includes Musa’s veteran presence, Awoudor’s creative flair, Healy’s big-game mentality, Thomas’s goal-scoring instinct, and Jordan’s elite ball recovery, there’s genuine competition for minutes. But if Armas and Garay end up as the double pivot - one providing distribution and tempo, the other providing defensive bite and MLS-level intensity - that spine could be the foundation everything else is built on. How Avery arranges this midfield will tell us more about who Fort Wayne FC wants to be than almost any other decision he makes.
The Dream Signing: Akil Watts
This one is pure speculation - but it’s worth putting on the record.
Akil Watts is a 25-year-old Canterbury High School product and the most accomplished professional soccer player Fort Wayne has produced, not named DaMarcus Beasley. U.S. youth international, 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup participant, professional contract with RCD Mallorca at 18, three seasons with Louisville City FC, and 22 MLS appearances for St. Louis City SC in 2025. The résumé speaks for itself.
Here’s where it gets interesting: St. Louis declined Watts’ 2026 contract option this offseason St. Louis CITY SC, making him a free agent. And the connection to this club runs deep. When Watts signed his first pro deal at The Plex in 2018, he credited Beasley by name as a mentor. Beasley himself has publicly cited Watts as proof that Fort Wayne produces legitimate professional talent. That mentor is now the Director of Football Operations for the club in their shared hometown.
At 25, Watts may still want to chase MLS minutes - and nobody would blame him. But if the timing ever aligns, he wouldn’t just be another player on the roster. He’d be the hometown kid, the face of the franchise, the living proof of what this club says it’s building. Keep an eye on this one.
Fort Wayne FC Park: The House That Hasn’t Opened Yet
The stadium is the story within the story.
Fort Wayne FC Park is a privately funded, soccer-specific stadium being built at Bass Road and I-69 with a matchday capacity of 9,280 - making it the largest outdoor venue in Northeast Indiana. The architectural firm is Fort Wayne-local Design Collaborative, working with developer BND Commercial. Features include tabletop terrace views, pitch-level suites, and a large video scoreboard.
As of late January, construction remained on schedule despite winter weather challenges. The Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved 75-foot light towers, exceeding the standard 40-foot zoning limit. Communications Director Justin Cohn has emphasized that not a cent of taxpayer money is going into the project.
But here’s the reality Fort Wayne FC supporters need to prepare for: the club will play its first five matches on the road before setting foot in its own stadium. The season opens March 7 at FC Naples, and the home opener isn’t until May 2 against the Charlotte Independence. That’s nearly two full months of road football to begin the franchise’s professional existence.
Whether that’s a disadvantage or an advantage depends on your perspective. Two months on the road could forge an identity - road-hardened, scrappy, playing with nothing to lose in hostile environments. Or it could mean the team is still finding itself by the time the gates open on Bass Road.
Either way, May 2 is going to be something special.
The Schedule: Key Dates for Your Calendar
Fort Wayne FC will play 34 regular-season matches plus four USL Cup group-stage games. Fifteen home matches fall on Saturday nights, four on Wednesdays, with plans to add a friendly for a total of 20 home dates. Here are the dates that matter most:
March 7 — at FC Naples (Season Opener) The first professional match in club history. Naples was an expansion club last year, so they’ll know a thing or two about expansion club jitters on opening kick - two teams, both trying to figure out who they are this year on first kick.
April 25 — at Louisville City FC (USL Cup) Fort Wayne’s first taste of the USL Cup, and it comes against a USL Championship side. Louisville is one of the most successful clubs in the American lower divisions. A massive test, early.
May 2 — vs. Charlotte Independence (Home Opener) The first match at Fort Wayne FC Park. Circle this one in permanent ink.
May 16 — vs. Indy Eleven (USL Cup) Indianapolis comes to Fort Wayne. Indy Eleven is a Championship-level club with a devoted fanbase. This is the kind of match that could define the atmosphere at Fort Wayne FC Park early. Any derby name suggestions for this new in-state rivalry?
June 17 — at Forward Madison FC The closest geographic rival (307 miles). Schipmann spent three seasons in Madison - this one has subplot written all over it.
July 11 — vs. Detroit City FC (USL Cup) Another Championship club making the trip to Fort Wayne. Detroit City brings one of the most passionate supporter cultures in American soccer. They wear Detroit VS Everybody on their sleeve. Prepare for a loud Away section.
July 15 — at One Knoxville SC The defending League One champions. A mid-season measuring stick.
September 17 — vs. One Knoxville SC The return fixture against the champs, this time at home under the lights.
October 3 — vs. Forward Madison FC The second meeting with the regional rival, at home. If the playoff race is tight, this could be enormous.
The League: USL League One
For readers new to USL League One, here’s the landscape Fort Wayne FC is stepping into.
USL League One is the third tier of the American soccer pyramid, below MLS (first) and the USL Championship (second). The 2026 season features 17 clubs - the most in league history - playing a full home-and-home schedule for 32 regular-season matches each, plus four group-stage games in the Prinx Tires USL Cup.
Five clubs are entering the league for the first time alongside Fort Wayne: Athletic Club Boise, Corpus Christi FC, the New York Cosmos, and Sarasota Paradise. The Cosmos carry the most historical weight, the name is synonymous with the original NASL and Pelé, but every expansion side is starting from scratch on the pitch.
The top eight teams qualify for the single-elimination playoffs, beginning October 31. The defending champions are One Knoxville SC, who claimed the title in 2025. Other established contenders include Greenville Triumph SC, Union Omaha, Forward Madison FC, and the Richmond Kickers.
Games will air nationally on ESPN Networks, CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network, ESPN+, and TUDN. For a third-division league, the broadcast infrastructure is real.
The Big Questions Hanging Over Season One
These are the questions that will define Fort Wayne FC’s first year in professional soccer. We won’t have answers for weeks, maybe months. That’s part of what makes this worth following.
Can a roster averaging 23 years old compete in a league that skews 27-28?
Oliver Gage was transparent about the strategy: Fort Wayne wants to be a destination for good young players. The trade-off is that youth brings inconsistency alongside upside. Every expansion club faces this tension. Fort Wayne has leaned into it more deliberately than most.
How does a five-game road trip shape early identity?
By the time Fort Wayne FC plays at home, it will already have a record. Will the road stretch forge resilience, or will the team be chasing points by the time Bass Road opens? History across American lower-division soccer suggests expansion clubs often struggle in their first few road matches before finding their footing.
Will the stadium be ready - and will Fort Wayne show up?
Construction is reportedly on schedule, but winter weather in Northeast Indiana is unforgiving. The club is confident. The bigger question may be attendance. Fort Wayne drew over 2,700 fans to their first-ever home match at Shields Field in League Two. Fort Wayne FC Park holds 9,280. Filling it - especially on those Wednesday night dates - will be a season-long challenge.
Can Avery’s League Two success translate to a 34-game professional season?
The biggest tactical and managerial unknown. A League Two season is roughly 14 matches in the summer. A League One season is 34 matches from March to October, plus Cup games. Roster management, squad rotation, and in-game adjustments at the professional level are a different challenge. Avery has earned this opportunity. Now he has to grow into it.
Who scores the goals?
Ricol is the target man. Oyetunde is the creative wildcard on the wing. Becher has League One goal-scoring experience. Awoudor creates chances. Thomas arrives with 20 goals in his final college season. The pieces exist - but until they play together in a competitive match, we’re projecting.
The Defender’s Verdict:
What Does Success Look Like?
Survival is the name of the game for many, if not most, professional clubs outside Major League Soccer in the American soccer landscape. Survival on the field, in a long 34-game season, but even more so off the field. Fort Wayne is a well established youth soccer market. I grew up playing on a few different clubs that eventually merged into what would now be considered academy football. But we’re not talking youth soccer, or academy-grade football anymore, we’re talking professional football. And Fort Wayne is officially stepping up to say, We Do Soccer Pretty Damn Well here.
For this team, this club, I don’t feel Season One success means making the playoffs, or an obligation to win any hardware this year. The obligation is to the city, to the fans, to the people in our region where this sport really does matter. Success is seeing these players tap and kiss the badge, the crest after they score a goal. It’s going down a goal, in front of the home crowd at our new stadium, tired and muddied, beaten up, but getting up with that determined grin and grit to fight. Fight again. Fight again and again until they will their way to that draw on a Wednesday night. Success is smiling at the fans, thanking them for taking a risk on all of this. Success is a growing Fort Wayne fan base, one that smiles back at those players - those heroes who can bring a little more cheer to a rough week. We’re tough in Fort Wayne. Not the tough that makes for bullies, but the tough that allows you to get your teeth kicked in, to stand back up, smile, and get back to work again. We’re good people, with a good community made up of friends and family. Fight for us, and we’ll fight for you. This is Fort Wayne.
Always FWD.
The Fort Wayne Defender is an independent publication covering Fort Wayne FC. We are not affiliated with the club, USL, or any media organization. This preview will be updated as the roster finalizes and the season progresses. Follow us on X @fwdefender for real-time updates.
Have a tip, correction, or want to contribute? Reach out at justin@thefortwaynedefender.com - we’re building this together.
Great job with this! Very thorough - a lot of very good information & insight, all put together in a well-written and organized way. So excited for this new chapter of Fort Wayne FC, the new team, the new look, the new league and the new stadium! And this article captured all of that and more!