Utica City FC is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Utica, New York, that competes in the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 joining the PASL, which was subsequently renamed the MASL.
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. The team did not play during the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Players
Active roster Updated February 11, 2025. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Pos. Nation Player No. Pos. Nation Player 0 GK Xavier Snaer-Williams 16 DF Thayssan Santos 0 GK Rainer Hauss 18 FW Cole Stephens 2 MF Emmanuel Belliard 19 MF Kyle Gehrnich 3 FW Gordy Gurson 20 MF Willie Spurr 4 MF Stephan Teixeira 22 GK Brian Wilkin 6 MF Ricardo Orozco 23 DF Logan Roberts 7 MF / Geo Alves 27 FW Joey Tavernese 8 DF Jose Tavares 30 DF Juan Alava 9 FW Kelvin Oliveira 33 FW Sergio Pinal 10 MF / Nilton de Andrade 49 FW Mershad Ahmadi 11 FW Meny Silva 67 FW Francesco Pangano 14 GK Andrew Taylor 95 DF Wil Nyamsi
Inactive roster
Year-by-year YearLeagueReg. seasonPlayoffs Attendance average2011–12MISL III3rd Eastern Division, 9–15Did not qualify2,950/6,1592012–13MISL III6th MISL, 8–18Did not qualify3,401/6,1592013–14MISL III4th MISL, 12–8Lost semi-finals2,689/6,1592014–15MASL2nd Eastern Division, 12–8Lost in Division Semi-Finals3,082/6,1592015–16MASL2nd Eastern Division, 11–9Lost in Division Finals2,082/6,1592016–17MASL4th Eastern Division, 8–12did not qualify2,300/6,1592017–18MASL2nd Eastern Division, 13–9Lost Division Finals2,398/6,1592018–19MASL1st Eastern Division, 17–7Lost Division Finals3,414/3,8602019–20MASL3rd Eastern Conference, 14–6No playoffs3,596/3,8602021MASLDNPDNPN/A2021–22MASL3rd East Conference, 10–14Did not qualify2,971/3,8602022–23MASL4th East Conference, 13–11Lost Division Semifinals3,082/3,8602023-24MASL2nd Eastern Conference, 16–8Lost Division Semifinals3,2442024-25MASL6th MASL, 13–11Lost Quarterfinals3,1752025-26MASL8th MASL, 5-15Did not qualify2,839Total117–112Win % = .511%7–14 Win % = .333%2,906
Club staff
President: Robert Esche Vice-president: Adam Pawlick CFO: Alex Putelo Executive Administrator: Luann Horton-Murad General Manager: Tommy Tanner VP Corporate Partnerships: Alicia Leone-Desarro VP Creative Services: Eric Kowiatek Head coach: Nate Bourdeau Assistant coach: Darren Toby Director of player personnel: Joey Tavernese
Kits
Period Supplier Home shirt sponsor Away shirt sponsor Third shirt sponsor2018–19OT SportsBank of UticaEmpire Recycling CorporationMerrill Lynch
Rivalries
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 2, 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 29, 2019, with Utica City defeating Rochester by a 9–1 score.
References
External links