Utica City FC

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Utica City FC
Utica FC logo.png
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 CoachRyan Hall
LeagueMajor Arena Soccer League
2018–191st, Eastern Division
Playoffs: Division Final
WebsiteClub website
Away colors

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.

History[]

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 and join 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[]

Active roster[]

Updated May 21, 2020[8] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK United States USA Matt Perrella
2 DF United States USA
3 DF Liberia LBR
4 MF United States USA Nate Bourdeau (captain)
5 DF United States USA
6 DF United States USA
7 MF Serbia SRB Momo
8 MF Mexico MEX
9 FW Brazil BRA
11 FW Mexico MEX
12 FW Costa Rica CRC
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 FW Serbia SRB Bo Jelovac (captain)
14 DF England ENG Onua Obasi
17 FW United States USA
20 FW Brazil BRA Mauricio Salles
21 DF Trinidad and Tobago TRI Darren Toby
22 GK United States USA
23 DF United States USA
25 FW Brazil BRA
42 DF United States USA
44 MF United States USA

Inactive roster[]

Year-by-year[]

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
Total 94–87
Win % = .519% 		5–12
Win % = .294% 		2,790

Club staff[]

[9]

  • President: Robert Esche
  • Vice President: Adam Pawlick
  • CFO: Michael Potrzeba
  • Executive Administrator: Luann Horton-Murad
  • General Manager: Tommy Tanner
  • VP Corporate Sponsors: Alicia Leone-Desarro
  • Director of Ticket Sales: David Sietsma
  • Senior Account Executive: Evan Annese
  • Account Executive: Kevin Hennig
  • Account Executive: Mercella Costello
  • Account Executive: Katie Elsenbeck
  • VP Communications: Lindsay Mogle
  • Broadcast/Media & Brand Manager: Richard Shaw
  • Social Media Manager: Nick Mecca
  • VP Marketing: Cecelie Pikus
  • VP Creative Services: Eric Kowiatek
  • Director Game Operations: Chuck Obernesser
  • Head Coach: Ryan Hall [10]

Kits[]

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

Rivalries[]

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 scorer (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 2nd, 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 29th, 2019, with Utica City defeating Rochester by a 9–1 score.

References[]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ John Berry. "Tommy Tanner will be head coach of Syracuse Silver Knights soccer team | syracuse.com". Blog.syracuse.com. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ Glenn Graham (2014-04-14). "Baltimore Blast joining with other teams to form new indoor soccer league". Articles.baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  6. ^ http://www.maslsoccer.com/news/the-masl-is-coming-to-utica
  7. ^ https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Utica-City-FC-opts-out-of-2020-21-season-573735481.html
  8. ^ "Utica City FC roster". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  9. ^ https://www.uticacityfc.com/staff
  10. ^ https://www.uticacityfc.com/news/utica-city-fc-announce-ryan-hall-as-team-head-coac

External links[]

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