How Fort Wayne Became the Expansion Team Nobody Wants to Play

Most expansion clubs are built on uncertainty. Fort Wayne FC was built on familiarity.

While other first-year teams spend months trying to discover an identity, Fort Wayne entered USL League One with something most expansion clubs lack: a coach who already knew the organization, players who fit the system, and a clear idea of what they wanted to become.

The result? One of the toughest teams in the league to face right now.

It’s no secret that few knew exactly what to expect from Fort Wayne FC entering the season. There were certainly some impressive veteran signings in Javier Armas, Ryan Becher, James Musa and Bernd Schipmann, but much of the roster was filled with unknowns.

Yet here we are, just past the midway point of the season, and Fort Wayne has not lost a regular season match since March 28. That unbeaten run has included six wins and six draws, pushing the club into the playoff picture and setting up their biggest statement yet: a dominant performance over Spokane Velocity coming out of the midseason break.

The 3-0 result on Saturday was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggests, and could have been even more lopsided if not for veteran goalkeeper Sean Lewis making several quality saves to keep Spokane within reach. Fort Wayne generated 3.68 expected goals on 13 shots, including six on target.

Two of the usual suspects were involved in the scoring. Taig Healy continued his breakout campaign, adding to a run that now includes eight goals in his last 11 regular season appearances, while Lilian Ricol converted from the penalty spot. The squad also got a first professional goal from former D.C. United product Jeremy Garay.

Things were just as impressive on the other side of the ball. The defense held Spokane without a single shot on target, helping Bernd Schipmann secure his league-leading sixth clean sheet of the season. When called upon this year, Schipmann has delivered with 35 saves, but the bigger story may be the structure in front of him. Fort Wayne is tied with One Knoxville for the fewest goals conceded in the league, allowing only 12 all season.

So how did a first-year professional club become one of the toughest opponents in USL League One?

A few key factors have helped Fort Wayne get ahead of schedule.

Mike Avery’s Background is a Perfect Fit for this Roster

Head Coach Mike Avery did not just offer Fort Wayne FC continuity as the club transitioned from USL League Two to the professional level. A deeper look at his background makes the entire project start to make a lot more sense.

Before arriving in Fort Wayne, Avery built a résumé around identifying talent and developing players. A former college player himself, he moved into coaching with stops at Bethel University, Cal State San Bernardino, Notre Dame, Louisville and Valparaiso. After Valparaiso discontinued its soccer program, Avery was named the first head coach in Fort Wayne FC history.

The Fort Wayne project started in USL League Two in 2021, creating an ideal fit for Avery’s background in the college game. After a difficult first season, he quickly turned things around, leading the club to winning records every year from 2022 through 2025 and division titles in each of the final three seasons.

When Fort Wayne made the jump to USL League One, keeping Avery in charge was a natural choice. His ability to recruit overlooked talent, establish a clear identity and develop players quickly translated perfectly from the short USL League Two season into building a first-year professional roster.

With that context, the construction of Fort Wayne’s squad starts to make more sense.

Many of the players making an impact this season arrived as first-time professionals, recent college standouts or players looking for the right opportunity. Avery and Sporting Director Ollie Gage trusted their ability to identify players who fit the system, rather than simply chasing the most recognizable names available.

Halfway through the season, that bet is paying off.

The Veteran Spine Holding Everything Together

Young breakout players may grab the headlines, but Fort Wayne’s success has also been built around experienced professionals providing stability in key areas.

We already touched on Bernd Schipmann’s numbers in goal, where he currently leads the Golden Glove race with a 0.77 goals against average. A fresh start in Fort Wayne after a challenging final season with Forward Madison seems to have reinvigorated the 31-year-old goalkeeper, who has quickly become one of the league’s top performers at the position.

In midfield, Javier Armas arrived after two successful seasons with Atlanta United 2, where he contributed 10 goals and three assists. With Fort Wayne, he has settled into a central role as one of the team’s primary creators, leading the squad with 18 chances created.

Ryan Becher and James Musa have both dealt with injuries during the first half of the season, but each brings another layer of experience as they work their way back into the lineup.

Becher joined after an impressive run on loan with Union Omaha from St. Louis CITY2, where he scored eight goals and added three assists in only 18 matches. Traditionally a striker or attacking midfielder, Becher has seen his role evolve as Avery balances his skill set alongside Armas and rookie striker Lilian Ricol.

While his exact place in the attack continues to develop, Becher has still contributed two goals in nine appearances. Recently, he has entered midway through the second half in relief of Ricol, giving Fort Wayne another dangerous attacking option against tired defenses.

Musa may have been the biggest surprise addition of the group after making 29 starts with Indy Eleven in 2025. With experience across multiple leagues and over a decade as a professional, he brought exactly the type of leadership a first-year club needs.

There are always questions about durability for veteran defenders, and Musa did miss time between late March and mid-June. However, he has returned to the starting lineup over the last two matches and immediately reminded everyone of his value.

Against Spokane, Musa played a major role in eliminating opportunities before they developed, leading Fort Wayne in clearances and using his size and positioning to control dangerous moments around the box.

J.P. Jordan has also provided critical stability in his second professional season. After Texoma FC departed the league, Jordan made the move to Fort Wayne, where he has started every match and has recently transitioned to right back.

A lot of first-year clubs rely on veterans to lead the way. Instead, Fort Wayne has set up a system where they provide critical support. Look to Musa to keep stabilizing the defense, Armas to create offensive chances, Schipmann to organize and Becher and Jordan to provide flexible support, while the rookies create the fireworks.

Young Talent Finding Opportunity and Delivering

One big question heading into the season: would Taig Healy be able to translate the talent he showed at North Carolina State to the professional level?

Despite a standout college career that ended with a run to the College Cup Final, Healy did not hear his name called in the MLS SuperDraft, unlike three of his NC State teammates. Perhaps it was his size, coming in at 5'7" in a sport where physical traits are often heavily valued.

In any case, Healy found his opportunity with Fort Wayne, and he has made the most of it.

The rookie is currently tied for second in the Golden Boot race with Westchester veteran Conor McGlynn, sitting just one goal behind one of the league's biggest stars in Charlotte's Luis Álvarez. Not bad company for a first-year professional.

And just like we saw at NC State, Healy has quickly become known in USL League One for his speed, timing and dangerous left foot. Give him a lane, and he’ll take it for everything it’s worth.

He may not physically overpower defenders, but he has found different ways to beat them: finding pockets of space, timing runs behind opposing back lines and turning passes from his midfield teammates into scoring opportunities.

It remains to be seen exactly where Healy’s professional ceiling sits, but one thing is clear: he already belongs. For now, Fort Wayne has one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players leading the way.

But Healy is far from the only first-year player making an immediate impact.

We’ve mentioned Lilian Ricol a few times already, but the rookie striker has quickly become another key piece of Fort Wayne’s attack. He sits second on the team with six goals, while also showing the versatility to contribute beyond finishing chances. Ricol is third on the squad in chances created, helping create opportunities for those around him.

Left back Michael Rempel missed the Spokane match, but started every other regular season match this year and has become one of Fort Wayne’s most consistent contributors. While handling defensive responsibilities, he also sits second behind Armas in chances created.

Jack Thomas has recently emerged as another dangerous option on the left side of midfield, forming a dynamic attacking partnership with Healy. Kabiru Gafar has also earned his way into a larger role, contributing three assists since late May to lead the team.

Then there is Tiago Dias, a veteran of multiple Fort Wayne USL League Two campaigns who immediately earned Avery’s trust at the professional level. In his first League One season, Dias was named captain and has been a fixture in one of the league’s best defenses. The center back leads the squad in clearances, blocks and aerial duels won while helping Fort Wayne sit tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league.

And that might be the most impressive part of this entire group. It is not just one young player having a breakout season or one unexpected contributor beating expectations. Across the roster, Fort Wayne is getting meaningful minutes and major production from players experiencing professional soccer for the first time.

That does not happen by accident.

Challenges Ahead for Fort Wayne FC

With a new stadium open and a team that has yet to lose there, momentum is building in Fort Wayne heading into the second half of the season.

However, the next few months will present plenty of challenges. The next six weeks includes difficult road trips to Knoxville, Spokane and AV Alta, along with a home matchup against the always formidable Union Omaha. Add in fixtures against unpredictable sides like Greenville and Chattanooga, and there will be very few easy points available down the stretch.

The second half of the USL League One season is shaping up to be a fascinating race, both for the regular season title and the eight available playoff spots. Fort Wayne still has work to do, but they have already answered one of the biggest questions facing any expansion club: they belong.

The unknowns on the roster are becoming impact players. The veterans are providing stability. The coaching staff has built an identity faster than anyone expected.

A few months ago, the question was whether Fort Wayne FC could adjust to life as a professional club.

Now the question is much more interesting: how far can they go?