Utica City FC is a professional indoor soccer team based in Utica, New York that plays in the Eastern Conference of the Major Arena Soccer League.
 The team's logo, as of the 2018-19 season | |||
| Full name | Utica City FC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Utica City | ||
| Short name | UCFC | ||
| Founded | 2010 (as the Syracuse Silver Knights) | ||
| Stadium | Adirondack Bank Center | ||
| Capacity | 3,860 | ||
| Owner | Tommy Tanner & Robert Esche | ||
| Head Coach | Hewerton Moreira | ||
| League | Major Arena Soccer League | ||
| 2022–23 | 4th, Eastern Division Playoffs: Quarterfinals | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History edit
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 edit
Active roster edit
Updated December 22, 2023[8] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Inactive roster edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Year-by-year edit
| 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 edit
- 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 edit
| Period | Supplier | Home shirt sponsor | Away shirt sponsor | Third shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | OT Sports | Bank of Utica | Empire Recycling Corporation | Merrill Lynch |
Rivalries edit
| Location | United States |
|---|---|
| Teams | Utica City FC Baltimore Blast |
| First meeting | Utica City FC 5–2 Baltimore Blast MASL December 2, 2018 |
| Statistics | |
| Most wins | Tied (6 games each) |
| Top scorer | Slavisa 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 edit
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". misl.uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Glenn Graham (April 14, 2014). "Baltimore Blast joining with other teams to form new indoor soccer league". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
- ^ "The Masl is Coming to Utica". Major Arena Soccer League. June 13, 2018.
- ^ "Utica City FC opts out of 2020-21 season". WKTV NewsChannel 2. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
- ^ "Utica City FC roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Staff". Utica City FC. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ Davidson, Spencer (May 4, 2022). "Utica City FC names MASL veteran Moreira team's new head coach". WKTV NewsChannel 2.