Fort Wayne FC Opens Training Camp for Inaugural USL League One Season

The new professional soccer team begins preparations for its first year in the league.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Fort Wayne FC has opened training camp ahead of its inaugural season in the USL League One. The team, led by head coach Mike Avery, is bringing together a mix of returning players and new trialists as they build their first professional roster. Over the next six weeks, the squad will participate in several closed-door preseason matches before opening the regular season on the road against FC Naples on March 7.

Why it matters

The launch of Fort Wayne FC represents an exciting new chapter for professional soccer in the region. As the city’s first pro team, the club’s success could help drive greater interest and participation in the sport locally.

The details

Fort Wayne FC’s training camp features a blend of familiar faces and new trialists as the club works to establish its identity under head coach Mike Avery. The sessions are focused on developing team chemistry and instilling Avery’s playing philosophy. While the preseason matches will be closed to the public, the team’s performance in these tune-ups could provide early indications of how they might fare in their inaugural USL League One campaign.

  • Fort Wayne FC opened training camp on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
  • The team will play several closed-door preseason matches over the next six weeks.
  • Fort Wayne FC will open the 2026 USL League One season on the road against FC Naples on Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m.

The players

Mike Avery

The head coach of Fort Wayne FC, tasked with building the team’s inaugural roster and playing style.

Reid Sproat

A returning defender for Fort Wayne FC who is from the local Leo area.

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What they’re saying

“We’re just trying to build a common language. They might bring ideas from other places that they’ve had before. We’re just trying to say, this is how we do things here in Fort Wayne.”

— Mike Avery, Head Coach (21alivenews.com)

“There’s a lot of good players here that coaches have brought in. A lot of guys are trying to prove themselves. The competition is definitely a step up from the years past.”

— Reid Sproat, Returning Defender (21alivenews.com)

What’s next

Over the next six weeks, Fort Wayne FC will participate in several closed-door preseason matches to continue building team chemistry and preparing for their inaugural USL League One season opener against FC Naples on March 7.

The takeaway

The launch of Fort Wayne FC’s first professional soccer team represents an exciting new era for the sport in the region. As the club works to establish its identity and playing style under head coach Mike Avery, the team’s performance in closed-door preseason matches will be closely watched for signs of how they might fare in their inaugural USL League One campaign.