Fort Wayne FC Rallies Late for Crucial 2–2 Draw Against FC Naples

The mental fortitude of Fort Wayne FC was put to the ultimate test Saturday night at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium. Fresh off a frustrating 3–2 midweek defeat to defending-champion One Knoxville SC—in which a 2–0 halftime lead dissolved late—Mike Avery’s side found themselves staring at an immediate 2–0 deficit against FC Naples within the opening 17 minutes.

The evening began with drama in the ninth minute when FC Naples was awarded a penalty kick following a handball in the box by returning captain Tiago Dias. Goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann stepped up to deny Nicolas Likulia’s attempt from the spot and sent it out for a corner. FC Naples capitalized on the very next opportunity — opening the scoring in the 11th minute on a one touch volley from Julian Cisneros straight from the corner. Naples doubled their lead in the 17th minute via Christopher Garcia.

Coming out of the halftime break trailing 2–0, Fort Wayne made some key adjustments to the midfield bringing in Jordan, Gafar and Thomas to replace Awoudor, Garay and recent addition, Mamadi Jiana. Though the scoreline didn’t change until the 83’, the substitutions flipped the momentum of the game. Fort Wayne controlled much of the second half, pinning FC Naples into their own defensive third. Fort Wayne FC accumulated 63% possession and generated 41 touches inside the opposition’s 18 yard box. Despite the onslaught, FC Naples goalkeeper Lalo Delgado produced a career performance, while obviously nursing an injury, to resist the pressure, finishing with 10 saves—the second-highest single-match mark in USL League One history.

The persistent pressure finally broke through in the 83rd minute as Jack Thomas drove a ball low across the middle, finding Tiago Dias, who slotted home his second goal of the season to make it 2–1.

With stoppage time ticking away, JP Jordan sent a low cross to the near side that was flicked on by Emerson Nieto and put away by Ryan Becher to level the score at 2-2. The goal marked Becher’s fifth in his last four matches and his tenth goal of the season across all competitions.

“At this time of year, every point matters” coach Mike Avery said after the match. “You want to be on a team that’s playing for something at the end of the season. We’re fortunate to be in that position.”

The draw moves Fort Wayne FC’s record to 10–9–7 (37 points) with six matches remaining in their inaugural professional season. The club remains in eighth place, holding a four-point lead over ninth-place Corpus Christi FC for the final playoff berth.

Fort Wayne FC now turns its attention to a road fixture against Charlotte Independence on Saturday, September 26, at 2 p.m.