Some training sessions teach soccer. Others leave a lasting impression. As the sun settled over the training field, painting the North Carolina sky in brilliant shades of orange and gold, something special was happening at Fonder FC. Ten Warriors, one guest player, and one prospective player gathered for an evening with Wake Forest University midfielder Luke Kirilenko—an opportunity to train with a current Division I athlete and learn what it truly takes to reach the next lev

By 8:30 in the morning, you could already tell this wasn't going to be an ordinary tournament. The shade became valuable real estate. Water bottles never stayed full for long. Bags of ice disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived. Parents searched for every patch of shade they could find while players moved from one game to the next, trying to stay cool between whistles. Coaches found every bit of shade for players they could, even if it was another team's tent. By noon,

One Day. One Crest. One Champion. On July 11, 2026, Fonder Futbal Club hosted the inaugural Battle for the Crest, bringing together five Warriors teams for a morning of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. Played under relentless North Carolina heat that pushed temperatures close to 100°F, fifteen Warriors battled through a four-game round robin before the top two teams advanced to a winner-take-all championship. Coaches, volunteers, and families endured the

At Fonder FC, we often say that great teams aren't built alone—they're built by a community that believes in the next generation. Today, we're incredibly excited to welcome Smiles by BMO (Bumgarner & Martin Orthodontics) as an official sponsor of Fonder FC! For more than 25 years, Smiles by BMO has served families throughout Wake County with exceptional orthodontic care while building a reputation for excellence, integrity, compassion, and treating every patient like family.

The NCFC Crown Trophy in Raleigh was one of those tournament days that reminded us why we started Fonder FC in the first place. The heat was relentless from the opening whistle. By the third game, the turf had become so hot that players were coming off the field talking about their feet burning. Despite the conditions, our Warriors continued to compete, encourage one another, and represent the club with tremendous effort. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had the final say. Thunde

The wait is over. On Saturday, July 11, Fonder Futbal Club will host the inaugural Battle for the Crest, a club-wide 3v3 competition designed to challenge our players, celebrate our culture, and crown one champion. This isn't just another tournament. It's a day built around everything Fonder FC stands for—competition, character, accountability, and growth. Every player will step onto the field representing more than a team. They'll be competing for pride, for their teammates,

The Cary Cup didn't go the way we hoped on the scoreboard this weekend. In fact, if we're being honest, we took our lumps. But tournaments like this have a way of teaching lessons that practices can't. We faced strong competition, saw the speed and physicality required at the next level, and got a clear picture of where we are—and where we want to go. Saturday humbled us. By the third game, the frustration of a difficult tournament had started to take its toll. But Sunday sho

Fonder FC is proud to welcome Tim Kirkland to our coaching and player development team! Tim brings nearly 30 years of soccer experience to Fonder FC, with a background deeply rooted in both competitive play and youth player development. Specializing primarily in goalkeeping and defensive play, Tim earned Conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors during his high school career and has competed across multiple formats of the game, including traditional 11v11, 7v7, 5v5, and indoor

At Fonder FC, every practice, every tackle, every celebration, and every hard-fought moment tells a story. Today, we’re excited to officially announce that Fonder Flicks will serve as the Official Photography Partner of Fonder FC. Founded with the same passion and purpose behind Fonder FC, Fonder Flicks was created to capture the emotion, intensity, and unforgettable moments that make youth sports special. From game-winning goals to the quiet moments of focus before kickoff,

What began as a small initiative to create opportunities for young athletes has grown into a significant milestone for Fonder Futbal Club (FFC). Thanks to the incredible support of Bagley Consulting LLC and CEO Brock Bagley, FFC players will now take the field in fully sponsored custom kits designed to create a unique identity for the club and its players! As a father of six children — with three actively competing in multiple youth sports — Brock understands firsthand the pr

We’re excited to officially announce a new partnership between Fonder Futbal Club (FFC) and SquadLocker — bringing high-quality, custom team gear to our players, families, and supporters. This partnership gives everyone access to a wide selection of FFC-branded apparel and equipment, all in one place. From training gear to fanwear, everything is designed to represent the club the right way — on and off the field. But this is bigger than just gear. A portion of every purchase

At Fonder Futbal Club (FFC), we are always looking for ways to strengthen not just our teams—but our culture. This year, we are taking an important step forward: moving to one unified crest and identity across all teams. Why This Change Matters In youth sports, perception matters. Labels like “Elite,” “Gold,” or “White” can unintentionally create a sense of hierarchy—both internally among players and externally among families. By adopting one crest and one identity, we are ma

Coach Eric Mao has just completed a major step in his early coaching careeer getting SafeSport certified! Getting the right foundation early is essential in developing as a coach. It challenges your beliefs and thoughts to center them on the players, not yourself or your wins/loses. SafeSport certified means that Coach Mao has gone through 90-minutes of initial training designed to keep kids focus forward. Let’s congratulate Coach Mao for taking this step so early in his

FFC Warriors Gold Elite has been ACCEPTED to the Cary Cup! Bringing the current Top 12 to this 7v7 tournament styled after the TST tournament here in Raleigh. #LFG #FFCWarriorsGoldElite #FonderFutbalClub

The journey to becoming an exceptional soccer coach requires dedication, education, and a clear vision for player growth. The founder and director of FFC recently took a significant step by earning the US Soccer Grassroots Coaching License. This achievement marks the beginning of a focused effort to advance toward the D License, aiming to bring elite coaching standards to the club’s players. This post explores how this progression benefits the club and its athletes, and why c

The wait is finally over for Fonder FC supporters! The club has just released its new schedule, packed with thrilling matches that promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Whether you follow the team closely or are just getting into the excitement, this schedule offers plenty of opportunities to cheer on Fonder FC. Let’s dive into what fans can expect this season and how to make the most of every game day. What to Expect from This Season’s Matches This season’s schedu

Fonder FC is stepping into a fresh chapter with the launch of its 2026 kits, marking a clear break from the past and a bold new identity for the club. This change goes beyond just colors and designs; it represents a renewed spirit and ambition that fans and players alike can rally behind. The new kits promise to energize the team’s image and bring a fresh wave of excitement to supporters. Fonder FC 2026 home kit with modern design and bold colors A New Look for a New Era The

I am happy to announce Fonder FC has reached a partnership with Mentora to provide our players access to Division 1 mentors at a discounted rate! Mentora has also extended the first FREE session from 30-minutes to 60-minutes for our players! If you've ever had a mentor, then you'll understand that they are a necessary component to personal growth and development. Mentors aren't coaches, parents or agents, they are a trusted guide focused on the bigger picture — someone th

Coach Eric Mao FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JANUARY 4, 2026 Fonder Futbal Club Welcomes Coach Eric Mao to Warrior Clan Staff Rolesville, NC — Fonder Futbal Club (FFC) is excited to announce the addition of Coach Eric Mao to the Warrior Clan coaching staff for upcoming events. A familiar and respected presence within the FFC community, Coach Mao brings a well-rounded background in playing, coaching, and refereeing. Known by many families as Ethan’s older brother, Eric has long su