There are many new faces among the 2026 FC Naples roster. Yet, while there are these visible changes, head coach Matt Poland’s approach in directing the area’s only pro soccer team going into its second season is pretty much the same. And based on last year’s results, who can question it?
“Our mantra remains you can only control the controllables,” he said after a recent team practice at Paradise Coast Sports Complex of the team that made USL League One history last year as the first expansion team to host and win a playoff match in its inaugural season. “We’ll stay present in the moment. Take it week in and week out. We’ll stay focused, understand game tactics. We’ll look different as the season goes on.”
Hunger to improve on the squad’s maiden season league record of 13-9-8 (wins-losses-ties) is an attitude prevalent among players.
“We want to win every game,” captain and goalkeeper Edward “Lalo” Delgado said. The first opportunity will be the season opener against Fort Wayne FC on March 7. “We turned a lot of heads last year. We want to break more records. We expect to play in November.”