The City of Fort Wayne announced Monday it will be welcoming a competitive soccer team to its roster of sports franchises next year.
Called simply “Fort Wayne FC,” the club will be based in the National Premier Soccer League -- the fourth tier of professional soccer in the United States -- and begin regular season play against Great Lakes Conference opponents in May 2020.
A competitive women’s team is expected to be established in 2022.
Fort Wayne FC was brought to the city with the help of an investment group of eight individuals. Erik Magner and John Bellio will serve as the presidents of the club. Magner says the introduction of Fort Wayne FC could help bolster youth participation in Northeast Indiana now and in the future.
“We have an incredible number of young and talented soccer players, and there’s a need for these young talents to have a stepping stone, or a pathway, to develop, grow and just get better at soccer to play at the highest levels of national or international,” Magner said.
Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame member Greg Mauch will serve as the club’s inaugural general manager.
Games are expected to be split between Bishop-Dwenger Stadium in May before finishing the season at Fort Wayne Sports Club. No requests or plans for a new playing facility are being made at this time.
