Fort Wayne FC's History

2019-Present

Fort Wayne FC is a soccer club located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that was founded in 2019 by a group of local business men and former soccer players. The owners founded this club to bring a stepping stone for young and talented players to Fort Wayne. They became a member of the USL League Two on October 28, 2020. This came after the club's plans changed and they left the NPSL. When the club joined the USL they also added DeMarcus Beasley, a former MLS and United States Mens National Team player, as a co-owner. Beasley serves as the team's brand ambassador and leader of soccer operations. In their first season of play in 2021 the team played in the Great Lakes Division where they went 1-8-5. The club now plays in the Valley Division where they went 9-3-2 in 2022. The club is coached by Mike Avery who also serves as the team's sporting director. The club is made up of young local talent and young international players who are working on their game for their future soccer careers. The club will have their 2023 home opener on May 13th. This will be the club's first match at their new home, the Bishop D'Arcy Stadium.

Foundation

In 2019 Fort Wayne FC was founded by a group of local business people and former soccer players. They wanted to create a stepping stone for young soccer players that had talent. They applied and joined the National Premier Soccer Team as an expansion team for the 2020 season.

9/1/2019

Fort Waye FC introduction

Fort Wayne's Mayor Tom Henry introduced the club to the city. Former team president Dr. Erik Magner introduced Greg Mauch as the team's general manager.

9/9/2019

Assistant Coaches Announced

Nick Potter and Russ Lawson were announced as the club's assistant coaches.

12/19/2019

Goalkeeper Coach Announced

Jeff Richey is named as the club's goalkeeper coach.

1/29/2020

Club Head Coach Announced

Mike Avery was named as the club's first head coach.

2/12/2020

NPSL Summer Session Canceled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the NPSL canceled the 2020 summer session. This delayed was a big factor for why the Fort Wayne FC ended up joining the USL League 2.

3/28/2020

USL League Two Adds Fort Wayne FC

Fort Wayne FC ended up not going to the NPSL. Instead, the USL League Two announced that Fort Wayne FC would be added to the league for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. It was also announced that former United States men's national soccer team and Major League Soccer player, DeMarcus Beasley, would be a co-owner of the club.

10/28/2020

First Match

Fort Wayne FC played their first-ever match. The result of the match was a 0-3 loss against Oakland County FC.

5/9/2021

First Home Match

Fort Wayne FC played their first home match in front of a crowd over 2,700 people. This match was played at Shields Field in Fort Wayne This match saw the teams first goal which was scored by forward Noe Gracia. This match ended in a 1-2 loss to Toledo Villa FC.

5/23/2021

First USL League Two Win

Fort Wayne FC won their first USL League Two match and first away match in a 3-1 victory over Toledo Villa FC. Pep Casas, Joe Kouadio and Breno Boccoli scored for Fort Wayne FC.

6/11/2021

First International Friendly Match

Fort Wayne FC hosted their first international-friendly match where they welcomed the Chivas Guadalajara's U20 Reservas.

6/25/2021

Head Coach Mike Avery Receives Contract Extension

Head Coach Mike Avery signed a contract extension for the 2022 season. He was also appointed as the clubs sporting director.

8/31/2021

Laurie Perolio-Bullinger announced as the Club's Operations Leader

Laurie-Perolio-Bullinger was announced to lead club operations with DaMarcus Beasley leading soccer operations.

9/22/2021

PUMA Becomes Official Apparel Partner

Fort Wayne FC announced a three-year deal with PUMA for sports apparel and gear for the team and fans.

12/9/2021

First Match vs MLS Next Opponent

Fort Wayne FC faced off against a MLS NEXT team for the first time in a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati 2.

6/7/2022

First Home Win

Fort Wayne FC won their first home match in a 4-0 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions.

6/14/2022

Head Coach Mike Avery Receives Extension for 2023

Fort Wayne FC extended Head Coach Mike Avery for the 2023 season after Fort Wayne had a great 9-3-2 record in 2022.

9/21/2022

2023 Open Tryouts

Fort Wayne held open tryouts to try to find talented players to add to the 2023 roster. This was the third time the team held open tryouts. In the previous two years the team had added players to their first team from open tryouts.

1/4/2023

Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium Becomes New Home For Fort Wayne FC

Fort Wayne FC announced that they would play their 2023 and 2024 home games at the Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium on the campus of the University of Saint Francis.

1/10/2023

Laurie Perolio-Bullinger Interview thumbnail

Leader of club operations Laurie Perolio-Bullinger talks about her time with Fort Wayne FC, explaining how the team came together and about what matches have been important for the teams history.

DaMarcus Beasley

Soccer Operations Director and teams brand ambassador. Became a co-owner of the club on October 28, 2020. Fort Wayne native and former USMNT/MLS player.

Mike Avery

Head Coach and Sporting Director of Fort Wayne FC. In the club's first season he led them to a 1-8-5 record. In the second season he led the team to a 9-3-2 record. Avery will return for the 2023 season.

Laurie Perolio-Bullinger

Laurie has been with the team since its inception in 2019. She became the Leader of Club Operations on September 22, 2021.

Noe Garcia

Forward

Scored Fort Wayne FC's first goal. Led the team with five goals in the 2021 season.

Joe Bowles

Goalkeeper #18

Fort Wayne FC's top goalkeeper in 2021. Holds the teams record for saves in a season with 47 saves.

Maxwell Amoako

Forward #11

Fort Wayne FC's to goal scorer in the 2022 season. Scored seven goals.

Ryan Burig

Goalkeeper #24

Fort Wayne FC's top goalkeeper of 2022. He allowed 11 goals and had 22 saves on the season.

Will Aung was an intern broadcaster for Fort Wayne FC last season. During his time working the internship he was able to see events of the 2022 season. He would make videos for the team showing highlights of the matches.

Fort Wayne FC's First Goal

Fort Wayne FC vs Toledo Villa FC

Noe Garcia scored the teams first goal on May 23, 2021. This goal came during the teams first home match. The match resulted in a 1-2 loss against Toledo Villa FC.

Fort Wayne FC's First International Friendly

Fort Wayne FC vs Chivas U20 Reservas

On June 11, 2021 Fort Wayne FC hosted their first international friendly against Chivas U20 Reservas. The match ended in a 1-2 loss.

Fort Wayne FC's First Win at Home

Fort Wayne FC vs Dayton Dutch Lions

Fort Wayne FC won their first home match on June 14, 2022 in a 4-0 victory against the Dayton Dutch Lions.

Final Match of the 2022 Season

Fort Wayne FC vs Cleveland Force

In their last match of the 2022 season Fort Wayne FC beat Cleveland Force 3-0. FWFC needed to win this match and needed Dayton to win their match to make the playoffs. Unfortunately Dayton lost causing FWFC to fall just short of the playoffs.

Recap of all the best moments of the record season for Fort Wayne FC. The club was one of the most improved teams in in the USL League Two.

Fort Wayne FC's 2023 season will see them playing at their new home, the Bishop D'Arcy Stadium. This new home will further connect the team with the city of Fort Wayne as they are now closer to the downtown area. There will be theme nights that include super hero night and Fort Wayne legends night. Laurie Perolio-Bullinger also hinted that an exciting international match will be heading to Fort Wayne in 2023!

Bishop John D’Arcy Stadium, 1598 Lindenwood Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46808