FC Naples Delivers a Hometown Victory as the Naples Community Shows Up Strong

Naples’ hometown pride was on full display Sunday evening as the Naples 2Night team attended an electric FC Naples match at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, where the city’s professional soccer club delivered a dramatic victory in front of a passionate Southwest Florida crowd.

Among those representing Naples 2Night was Digital Campaign Strategist Julia Hackeloer, who experienced firsthand the growing excitement surrounding FC Naples and the community atmosphere that continues to define game nights at the stadium.

For many local residents and visitors, FC Naples has quickly become more than just a professional soccer team — it has become a community event that brings together families, sports fans, and local businesses in one energetic environment. From the moment guests arrive at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, the experience extends far beyond the action on the field.

Before kickoff, the Naples 2Night team explored the stadium’s beer garden, where local food trucks, merchandise tents, music, and fans created a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the spirit of Naples. Despite the size of the venue, the stadium’s intimate design keeps fans close to the match from every angle, helping create a strong connection between the players and the crowd.

That energy carried into the match itself as FC Naples battled Sporting Club Jacksonville during the Prinx Tires USL Cup Presented by the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee.

Sporting JAX struck first in the 17th minute when Ahmad Al-Qaq scored off an assist from Edgardo Rito, giving Jacksonville a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. FC Naples continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, creating multiple opportunities while the hometown crowd remained fully engaged.

The breakthrough finally arrived deep into stoppage time.

In the 91st minute, Andrés Ferrín drove into the attacking third and delivered a precise cutback pass behind the Jacksonville defense. Defender Julian Cisneros arrived at the far post and calmly finished the play, sending FC Naples supporters into celebration as the stadium erupted with excitement.

“In that moment, I’m just trying to get my body in the box and get in a good spot,” Cisneros said after the match. “Ferrín did his job — he played me a great ball, a cutback behind the defenders, and used their momentum against them. It was a tap-in for me.”

With the match tied 1-1 after regulation, the Prinx Cup format moved directly into a penalty shootout. FC Naples goalkeeper Joshua Grant, who entered the match in the 77th minute for captain Edward “Lalo” Delgado, delivered a key save that helped secure a 3-1 shootout victory for Naples.

“Having Lalo in front of me, just learning and soaking up everything — one thing he told me is to always stay ready,” Grant said. “So I stayed ready. When they called my name, I was ready, and I executed.”

Head Coach Matt Poland praised the team’s resilience and chemistry following the comeback victory.

“We want players to take responsibility and ownership,” Poland said. “Ultimately, out on the field, there are 11 of you and you have to solve problems. We constantly say: the strength of the wolf is the pack, the strength of the pack is the wolf — and tonight was a perfect example of that.”

For the Naples 2Night team, the evening highlighted why FC Naples continues to gain momentum across Southwest Florida. The combination of professional soccer, community involvement, local vendors, and an engaged fanbase has helped create one of Naples’ most exciting entertainment experiences.

The victory over Jacksonville also served as another reminder of how quickly FC Naples has established itself as a source of hometown pride. Fans packed the stadium, celebrated every major moment, and watched their team secure a dramatic win under the lights in front of a roaring home crowd.

FC Naples will return to Paradise Coast Sports Complex on Saturday, May 23, for its “Memorial Day – Honoring Our Heroes” match against Westchester SC at 7:30 p.m. The matchup carries added intrigue after FC Naples defeated Westchester in a comeback victory during the 2025 season.

As FC Naples continues to build its identity in Southwest Florida, nights like Sunday demonstrate how the club has become more than a soccer organization — it has become part of the culture and energy of Naples itself.

Collaborator Credits:

-Julia Hackeloer | RC Marketing Group. A serroTx Media Company.

-Cyndee Woolley | C2 Communications