Utica City FC

Utica City FC
The team's logo, as of the 2018-19 season
Full nameUtica City FC
Nickname(s)Utica City
Short nameUCFC
Founded2010 (as the Syracuse Silver Knights)
StadiumAdirondack Bank Center
Capacity3,860
OwnerTommy Tanner & Robert Esche
Head CoachHewerton Moreira
LeagueMajor Arena Soccer League
2022–234th, Eastern Division
Playoffs: Quarterfinals
Websitehttps://www.uticacityfc.com

Utica City FC is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Utica, New York, that competes in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).

History

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The team formed in 2011 as the Syracuse Silver Knights with the intention of playing in the new I-League (a United Soccer Leagues league set to begin play in 2011), but the team moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League when the two leagues merged. The team was rumored to be named the Syracuse Scorpions and revive the name of an old American Soccer League team. However, the name Silver Knights was announced at the team's inaugural press conference.[1]

The club is coached by former Silver Knights player, Ryan Hall, who replaced goalkeeper Bryan O'Quinn, who replaced club President, Team Owner and Syracuse native Tommy Tanner for the 2016–17 season.[2]

The club has signed former Syracuse Salty Dogs player Ryan Hall, among others. The team announced the signing of former Major League Soccer star Diego Serna on October 11, 2011.[3]

The Syracuse Silver Knights' first season of play began in 2011–12 when they joined the MISL as an expansion franchise. For their inaugural season, the Silver Knights played their home games at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in downtown Syracuse.

The team finished third in the Eastern Division in 2012, having been eliminated from playoff contention when the Rochester Lancers beat the Wichita Wings on February 23, 2012.[4]

In 2013, the Silver Knight Foundation was launched to help benefit kids in tough economic and social situations. The foundation hosts events throughout the year which helps raise money for these children. Many Silver Knights players, including reserve and U19 players, volunteer their time to help partake in the events.

After the 2013–2014 season, the team announced that it was leaving the MISL along with five other teams joining the PASL, which was subsequently renamed the MASL.[5]

On June 13, 2018, the team announced that it had partnered with the Utica Comets of the AHL and would be moving to Utica as Utica City FC for the 2018-19 season.[6] The team did not play during the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Players

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Active roster

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Updated December 22, 2023[8] 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 United States USA Julian Rodriguez
2 MF Dominican Republic DOM Emmanuel Belliard
3 FW United States USA Gordy Gurson
4 FW United States USA Keaton Woods
5 MF Cape Verde CPV Nilton De Andrade
7 MF United States USA Alexander Gomez
9 MF United States USA Dylan Hundelt (vice-captain)
10 DF Ivory Coast CIV Mohamed Ndiaye
11 FW United States USA Ronaldinho Diniz
12 FW United States USA Taylor Walter Bond
14 FW Kenya KEN Issak Somow
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW Cameroon CMR Franck Tayou
17 FW United States USA Tim Goldman
18 FW United States USA Cole Stephens
19 MF United States USA Nate Bourdeau (captain)
22 GK United States USA Andrew Coughlin
23 DF United States USA Logan Roberts
25 GK United States USA Brian Wilkin
26 FW United States USA Steven Fernandez
30 DF Ecuador ECU Juan Alava
78 DF United States USA Nelson Santana
80 MF Cape Verde CPV Geo Alves
82 FW United States USA Steve Merker
94 MF Brazil BRA Rafa Godoi

Inactive roster

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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
— DF Brazil BRA Fabinho Fernandes
8 MF Mexico MEX Cristhian Segura
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 DF Cape Verde CPV Ricky Alves
21 DF Trinidad and Tobago TRI Darren Toby

Year-by-year

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Year League Reg. Season Playoffs Attendance Average
2011–12 MISL III 3rd Eastern Division, 9–15 Did not qualify 2,950/6,159
2012–13 MISL III 6th MISL, 8–18 Did not qualify 3,401/6,159
2013–14 MISL III 4th MISL, 12–8 Lost semi-finals 2,689/6,159
2014–15 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 12–8 Lost in Division Semi-Finals 3,082/6,159
2015–16 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 11–9 Lost in Division Finals 2,082/6,159
2016–17 MASL 4th Eastern Division, 8–12 did not qualify 2,300/6,159
2017–18 MASL 2nd Eastern Division, 13–9 Lost Division Finals 2,398/6,159
2018–19 MASL 1st Eastern Division, 17–7 Lost Division Finals 3,414/3,860
2019–20 MASL 3rd Eastern Conference, 14–6 No playoffs 3,596/3,860
2021 MASL DNP DNP N/A
2021–22 MASL 3rd East Conference, 10–14 Did not qualify 2,971/3,860
2022–23 MASL 4th East Conference, 13–11 Lost Division Semifinals 3,082/3,860
Total 117–112
Win % = .511% 		7–14
Win % = .333% 		2,906

Club staff

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[9]

  • President: Robert Esche
  • Vice-president: Adam Pawlick
  • CFO: Michael Potrzeba
  • Executive Administrator: Luann Horton-Murad
  • General Manager: Tommy Tanner
  • VP Corporate Partnerships: Alicia Leone-Desarro
  • VP Creative Services: Eric Kowiatek
  • Head coach: Hewerton Moriera[10]

Kits

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Period Supplier Home shirt sponsor Away shirt sponsor Third shirt sponsor
2018–19 OT Sports Bank of Utica Empire Recycling Corporation Merrill Lynch

Rivalries

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Utica City FC/Baltimore Blast rivalry
LocationUnited States
TeamsUtica City FC
Baltimore Blast
First meetingUtica City FC 5–2 Baltimore Blast
MASL
December 2, 2018
Statistics
Most winsTied (6 games each)
Top scorerSlavisa Ubiparipovic (42 points)

Utica City FC's main rival is the Baltimore Blast. It existed in their days as the Syracuse Silver Knights and has extended to Utica City FC when the team relocated. Both teams have won five games in the series since their first meeting on December 2, 2018, a 4–2 win for Utica City. The Rochester Lancers are also considered a rival of Utica City FC. Rochester is two hours away from Utica and are Utica's closest opponent by proximity. The first matchup of this rivalry took place on November 29, 2019, with Utica City defeating Rochester by a 9–1 score.

References

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  1. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  2. ^ John Berry (August 5, 2011). "Tommy Tanner will be head coach of Syracuse Silver Knights soccer team | syracuse.com". Blog.syracuse.com. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Former MLS Superstar Signs with Silver Knights - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News". www.oursportscentral.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Glenn Graham (April 14, 2014). "Baltimore Blast joining with other teams to form new indoor soccer league". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  6. ^ "The Masl is Coming to Utica". Major Arena Soccer League. June 13, 2018.
  7. ^ "Utica City FC opts out of 2020-21 season". WKTV NewsChannel 2. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "Utica City FC roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "Staff". Utica City FC. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Davidson, Spencer (May 4, 2022). "Utica City FC names MASL veteran Moreira team's new head coach". WKTV NewsChannel 2.
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