FC Naples Caps Remarkable Comeback Season

Published on November 01, 2026

After climbing from 14th to eighth place, the club reached the postseason in each of its first two seasons.

NAPLES, FL — Nov. 1, 2026 — FC Naples’ remarkable late-season surge came to a close Sunday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium, where the club fell 5-1 to Players’ Shield winner Charlotte Independence in the quarterfinals of the 2026 USL League One Playoffs. Defender #5 Luca Mastrantonio headed home FC Naples’ goal in the closing minutes, a fitting final statement from a team that never stopped fighting.

Sporting Director Sean Howe believes the result does not diminish what this group accomplished. “When Coach Zak Gordon stepped in, this group was sitting 14th in the table, and plenty of people had written us off. He never let the players believe that. His steady leadership, clear vision and belief in this squad sparked six straight wins to close the season and carried us back to the playoffs. Reaching the postseason is a credit to Zak, the staff and the players, and to supporters who stood with us the entire way.”

An own goal by FC Naples defender #4 Hal Uderitz put Charlotte ahead in the 10th minute, but FC Naples kept pushing forward. Midfielder #21 Marc Torrellas sent a shot from distance just wide in the 18th minute, and in the 30th minute #3 Julian Cisneros met a cross from #8 Juan Osorio, forcing a save from Charlotte goalkeeper Matt Levy. Prince Saydee doubled the hosts’ lead in first-half stoppage time.

FC Naples came out strong in the second half after Interim Head Coach Zak Gordon brought on #10 Andrés Ferrín, the club’s leading scorer with seven league goals. In the 54th minute, a cross from #14 Kevin O’Connor set up an Uderitz header that Levy saved. Christopher Jaime made it 3-0 in the 59th minute, but FC Naples stayed aggressive. In the 63rd, #9 Gio Miglietti just missed with a header off a Cisneros cross. Then in the 71st, Souaibou Marou’s penalty kick hit the crossbar.

Substitute #45 Nicolas Likulia came close in the 75th minute before Stefano Pinho scored twice for Charlotte in the 79th and 84th minutes. FC Naples kept pressing to the end. Substitute #11 Christopher Garcia forced a save from Levy, and on the ensuing corner sequence, #6 Omar Ciss delivered the cross that Mastrantonio headed into the top left corner.

Although Sunday's result brings the 2026 campaign to a close, FC Naples has much to celebrate. In just two years, the club has delivered back-to-back playoff appearances, established a passionate fan base and continued building a professional soccer tradition in Southwest Florida.

As FC Naples looks ahead to its third professional season in 2027, the club carries forward the lessons, experience and momentum gained from a year defined by perseverance. Fans can stay connected and find the latest club news and ticket information at www.fcnaples.com.

About FC Naples

FC Naples is Southwest Florida’s first professional soccer team, based at the state-of-the-art Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. In its inaugural 2025 USL League One season, the club finished fourth in the regular season standings and qualified for the playoffs. The club’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 reflect the community’s rich history of strength and resilience, as well as a deep connection to the beaches and waterways that have shaped the region. Learn more at www.FCNaples.com.