Naples, FL – December 17, 2024 – FC Naples is thrilled to announce the signing of Jake Dengler, a 26-year-old central defender with over 100 professional appearances and three seasons of experience in USL League One. Dengler’s arrival will greatly support FC Naples’ defense as the club prepares for its inaugural 2025 season.
“Jake is a proven defender in the league as well as a champion. His leadership and play will be important as we lay the foundation for this inaugural season,” Coach Matt “Gaffa” Poland.
From North to South
A Baltimore native, Dengler began his soccer journey at The John Carroll School and with Pipeline Soccer Club, where he won the USYSA State Cup, Regional, and National Championships in 2016. He captained Baltimore Armour to their first USSDA playoff appearance, earning recognition on the 2016-17 USSDA Best XI.
Dengler immediately made an impact during college, starting at the Community College of Baltimore County in 2017. In a standout season, he scored 11 goals and had 3 assists in his 20 appearances, earning NJCAA All-America honors and leading his team to regional and state championships. He continued his college career at Loyola University Maryland in 2018 and later transferred to the University of Connecticut in 2019, making a combined 32 appearances. During this time, Dengler also played for FC Baltimore Christos in the National Premier Soccer League, scoring four goals in 17 appearances in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Dengler’s professional career kicked off in 2020 with USL Championship’s Loudoun United, later transitioning to the Maryland Bobcats in NISA, where he earned the title of the club’s Most Valuable Player in 2021. In 2022, Dengler signed with South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One. That year, he played a pivotal role in leading the team to victory in the USL League One Cup and was named to the All-League USL One Second Team. Over his three seasons with Tormenta, Dengler made 66 league appearances, serving as a consistent presence on the backline and captaining the team in 15 matches during the 2024 season.
Transaction: FC Naples signs Jake Dengler for the 2025 season, pending league and federation approval.
Player Details:
- Name: Jake Dengler
- Pronunciation: jAY-Ke Den-gler
- Position: Central Defender
- Height: 6-5ft
- Jersey Number: 25
- Date of Birth: October 14th, 1998 (26)
- Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
- Nationality: United States
- Previous Clubs: FC Baltimore Christos, Loudoun United, Maryland Bobcats, South Georgia Tormenta
About FC Naples
FC Naples is the first professional soccer team, based at the state-of-the-art Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. As a United Soccer League expansion team, the team’s mission is to create a world class family experience and forge a title contending team to be the pride of Southwest Florida. FC Naples’ crest, colors, and culture are a reflection of the community’s rich history of strength, resilience, as well as a deep connection to the beach and waterways that have shaped the community. The team stands proud to represent the vibrant spirit of Naples. Learn more about the team at www.FCNaples.com.
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