Fort Wayne FC becomes 2nd NPSL side in Hoosier State

Fort Wayne FC
Image credit: FWFC

Fort Wayne FC (FWFC), based in Fort Wayne, Ind., has become the NPSL’s latest expansion club, the league announced Monday.

General manager Greg Mauch is joined in the FWFC front office by a deep ownership group consisting of Dr. Erik Magner, John Bellio, Drew Little, Roy Carver, Steve Bermes, Mark Music, Tom Lapsley and Michael Khorshid.

“Fort Wayne FC will add another strong team to the already competitive Great Lakes Conference,” Magner said. “The owners, coaches, and staff of the newly formed Fort Wayne FC expect not only a winning season, but also reaching the postseason stage. Not only will Fort Wayne FC compete successfully, but as part of the community it will generate a positive economic impact for Fort Wayne and its surrounding area and will make Fort Wayne a destination for soccer enthusiasts.”

FWFC will take the pitch in 2020. The team joins FC Indiana, also a member of the NPSL, as the non-collegiate men’s side playing at the highest level in the state besides the Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. Given FC Indiana’s shoddy history of competitiveness in the NPSL, there’s a clear opportunity for FWFC to become the second-most noteworthy non-collegiate men’s side in the Hoosier State.

The Indy Eleven used to field a reserve side in the league, simply known as Indy Eleven NPSL, but did away with the squad following the 2016 season.

The league has already assigned its newest addition a conference.

“We are thrilled to see the Great Lakes Conference continue to grow with Fort Wayne FC,” NPSL managing director Cindy Spera added. “Fort Wayne FC will join the Muskegon Risers as strong additions to our Midwest Region.”

FWFC’s home pitch is the 800-seat Fort Wayne Soccer Club. The team hopes to draw from its local player pool according to the announcement, which cited a desire to provide greater opportunities for players in northeast Indiana.

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