On a Roll

FC Naples is on a roll. The professional soccer squad, Collier County’s first-ever pro sports team, turned in an impressive performance Saturday night at their home pitch in the Paradise Coast Sports Park. They defeated the Richmond Kickers 2-1, remaining atop the USL League One standings, keeping their undefeated status, and extending their winning streak to three games. 

In all, FC Naples now has six wins, two draws or ties, and zero losses since playing their inaugural game on March 8. This is a remarkable achievement for an expansion franchise going up against established teams - a fledgling team representing one of the smallest cities in the league - and speaks highly of the organization put together by managing partner Roberto Moreno and head coach Matt “Gaffa” Poland, a Marco Island resident.

FC Naples’ success has not gone unrecognized by USL League One, their league, essentially a minor league for MLS, or Major League Soccer, the big league in the United States. FC Naples coach Poland was named Coach of the Month for March, and forward Karsen Henderlong was named March’s Player of the Month.

Henderlong was given the award on the strength of his league-leading three goals in the first month of the season, scoring match-winning goals in two previous games, handing both opponents their first loss of the season. He continued his winning ways on Saturday night, putting in Naples’ second goal at the 22nd minute, which ended up being the margin of victory. Henderlong’s score put Naples on top to stay after Andres Ferrin put in the initial goal of the match, beating the Richmond keeper on a header. Ferrin also recorded an assist on Henderlong’s goal. 

After both goals, the crowd of just over 4,000 erupted, led by the drum and flag corps La Barra 239, which kept up a raucous beat throughout the entire game. The crowd also took sides enthusiastically for their team, roaring approval for fouls and yellow cards against Richmond and commenting loudly on cards against Naples. 

“The fans are allowed to voice things a little differently than we are about various calls,” said Poland after the game. “I love it,” and the support FC Naples has gained from the community. Each of the yellow cards was announced as being “sponsored by the law offices of Marc L. Shapiro,” in case anyone wanted to pursue the matter further. 

There were quite a few of those yellow cards assessed in the hard-fought physical game, although none of the more serious red cards which immediately eject the offending player. The contest featured end-to-end action throughout and was played on a windy evening when the stiff breeze blew the Barra 239 flags out horizontal and made ball-handling tricky. 

“I think we just blocked all the noise out, all the outside factors, and just took care of business. We were ready to go,” said defender Julian Cisneros. 

Richmond did get on the board with a goal late in the first half but was unable to make up Naples’ lead. With Naples continuing to push forward, the Kickers were able to find unmarked wingers with crosses, mounting several promising scoring chances. As the game went into stoppage time, they pushed everyone forward in a last-ditch attempt to equalize, but the FC defense held. Poland made several last-minute substitutions, bringing in fresh legs and giving game experience to more players. 

Richmond is the runner-up behind Naples in USL League One standings, and in their last game, knocked off last year’s league champions. 

FC Naples faced perhaps their stiffest challenge on Wednesday, April 16, playing the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a team in a higher division than Naples, part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, on Naples’ home pitch. They follow up that game with a League One contest against One Knoxville SC on April 19, also at PCSC.