Port City FC’s captain enjoying bounce back season

July 2, 2025

Colton Emswiler,

Pcfc Captain1 — (Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Jackson Minneci has been through a lot in the last year, but recent events have been kind to the captain of Port City FC.

“About 12 months ago, I tore my ACL, my meniscus and fractured my patella,” Minneci said. “I couldn’t ask for a better way to get introduced to the game. Being at home, but also being surrounded by so many great people.”

Minneci missed all of last season, in which PCFC did not win a single game. Now the club is playoff bound following a bounce back campaign for both him and his squad.

(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)

The jitters that came with a return to game action did not take very long to get over.

“I thought my confidence would be back where it was, but the nerves were still there,” Minneci said. “All it took was five minute and a couple touches on the ball and then I was back to my old self, back flying.”

Head Coach Note Torbett says the Laney graduate was an easy choice to lead PCFC on the pitch.

“I’ve always wanted the captain of this program to be a local guy,” Torbett said. “A desire to play for their hometown club. Throughout the recruiting process, he was a big factor in reaching out to guys and try to push guys to come here for the summer and play and develop. All around, everything we’ve needed him to do, he’s done it. Just couldn’t be prouder of him as the captain of this club.”

The center mid and right back has embraced his role as captain and leads PCFC by example.

“The pressure never really got to me,” Minneci said. “Just try to give the most support to the boys. I try to be the captain that I wanted. I try to be there for the team and provide what I can when it comes to that.”