FC Naples Adds Defensive Depth in Fernandes, Sulia
A USL League One veteran and another Puerto Rico National Team player are latest additions.
Image credit Jim Myers/Chattanooga Red Wolves
FC Naples announced the signing of defenders Gustavo Fernandes and Rodolfo Sulia this morning, adding to the club’s already strong back line squad.
Fernandes joins FC Naples from Chattanooga Red Wolves, and has over 100 USL League One appearances since signing with Forward Madison in 2020. He was an integral part of NCFC’s league title in 2023, but did not remain with the team when it made the jump to USL Championship after that season. He made 20 appearances across league competitions in 2024 with Chattanooga.
While capable of playing wingback and center midfield, Fernandes has spent his time in USL League One primarily as a center back. He’ll join fellow league veteran center backs Brecc Evans and Jake Dengler on the expansion squad.
Image: ENPR
Sulia joins from Academia Quinana in Puerto Rico, and also has 20 caps (including friendlies) with the Puerto Rico National Team since 2019. He most recently represented Puerto Rico in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League and World Cup qualifiers, scoring a goal against Sint Maarten in October. He has prior professional experience with Chicago House AC when that club competed in NISA.
He’s the second Puerto Rico National Team member to join FC Naples after goalkeeper Joel Serrano, and the fourth with connections to Chicago House AC after Serrano, goalkeeper/coach Tony Halterman, and midfielder Ian Cerro. FC Naples’ head coach Matt Poland also came to the team from Chicago House AC, formenting the connection.
FC Naples will open its 2025 campaign at home against Chattanooga Red Wolves on March 8th.