FC Naples Continues Playoff Push with 1-0 Victory Over Corpus Christi
Published on October 11, 2026
Naples, FL – [October 11, 2026] – A rising Southwest Florida soccer talent made his mark on the Texas coast Saturday night. #24 Ty Collins, a Lely High School graduate, scored his first professional goal in the 21st minute to lead FC Naples to a 1-0 road victory over Corpus Christi FC. The win, FC Naples’ fourth straight, keeps the club firmly in contention for a USL League One playoff berth.
The milestone moment came from the heart of the penalty area. Collins collected a pass from #11 Christopher Garcia in the center of the box and calmly drove a left-footed finish, giving FC Naples a lead it would never surrender.
FC Naples opened the match with an aggressive attacking effort, generating several early scoring opportunities. In the fourth minute, #3 Julian Cisneros missed the target with a header off a delivery from #9 Gio Miglietti. Naples continued applying pressure, with shots from #21 Marc Torrellas, #6 Omar Ciss, Garcia, and Cisneros blocked by the Corpus Christi defense.
Corpus Christi responded with a dangerous stretch of its own, but FC Naples captain and goalkeeper #1 Edward "Lalo" Delgado delivered three consecutive saves in the 14th and 15th minutes to keep the match scoreless. His strong performance between the posts helped Naples maintain its composure before Collins broke the deadlock just minutes later.
Naples kept the pressure on, looking to extend its lead with several additional scoring opportunities. Garcia tested Corpus Christi goalkeeper Mason McCready with a shot from outside the box in the 38th minute, while Delgado answered with another important save against Tomas Pondeca in the 43rd minute to preserve Naples' one-goal advantage heading into halftime.
Collins nearly doubled his tally just three minutes into the second half, connecting on a cross from Torrellas and directing a right-footed shot toward the bottom left corner, where McCready made the save. The young forward remained active on both sides of the ball, contributing defensively while continuing to challenge the Corpus Christi back line.
FC Naples maintained its offensive pressure in the second half, with #10 Andrés Ferrín narrowly missing the target in the 63rd minute. Collins and Ciss created additional opportunities in the 67th minute, but both attempts were blocked by the Corpus Christi defense. As the Sharks pushed for a late equalizer, Delgado came up with another crucial save on a header from Jake Keegan in stoppage time, helping Naples preserve the 1-0 advantage and secure three valuable points in the playoff race.
“The locker room is really energized right now, with the entire team pulling in the same direction. We’re all looking forward to making the unthinkable happen, which is breaking into the playoff picture,” said interim Head Coach Zak Gordon.
Saturday's victory extends FC Naples' unbeaten streak to six matches, including four consecutive wins over Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, New York Cosmos, Richmond Kickers and Corpus Christi FC. With 40 points and two regular-season matches remaining, Naples continues its push for a second consecutive USL League One playoff appearance.
Oct. 21 – FC Naples at Sarasota Paradise (6:30 p.m. ET)
FC Naples hits the road one final time in the regular season for a Gulf Coast showdown with Sarasota Paradise. The two clubs have split their previous meetings this season across all competitions, with Naples winning their April league matchup and Sarasota taking the June Prinx Tires USL Cup contest. Fans who can't make the trip can watch the game live on ESPN+. A link to the game is available at www.fcnaples.com/schedule.
Oct. 24 – FC Naples vs. Spokane Velocity FC (7 p.m. ET) | Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by LMCU
FC Naples returns to Paradise Coast Sports Complex for its final regular-season match against Spokane Velocity FC, with playoff positioning on the line. The club is calling on Southwest Florida fans to pack the stands and give the team a home-field edge for the stretch run.
Tickets are available at www.fcnaples.com/tickets, and supporters are encouraged to arrive early to experience the full matchday atmosphere.
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.
Media Contact: Cyndee Woolley, APR, C2 Communications
(239) 571-3174 | cyndee@c2-com.com
Madelyn Chipchak-Gonzalez
(386) 473-8074 | press@c2-com.com