FC Motown faced a gauntlet this week; Ending with a victory in the NJ State Cup Final
USL2: FC Motown STA wins first USL2 match vs Hudson Valley, 2-1
May 31, 2022
FC Motown STA Roster
June 28, 2022
As this article is being written the buzz term around the club is “hell week”. The NSPL squad played three games in five days. USL2 played three games in six days, which is the halfway point of their five games in 11 days stretch. Six games for the club as a whole. Hell week sounds about right. The stats, though, are pretty impressive, which is a credit to everyone involved in the club - players, staff, owners, families, and interns. Six games, Six wins, 28 goals scored for, Seven against
June 8th, NPSL Motown @ PA Classics:
Motown traveled to PA for a midweek game versus PA Classics, who are in their inaugural NPSL season. Motown opened the scoring early and continued to rack up goals to finish the game with a 6-1 win. This win took the NPSL record to 4-1-1.
Goals from Fede (2), Assane (3) & Diene.
June 8th, USL2 Motown/STA @ Morris Elite:
A make-up game that was previously postponed due to inclement weather. This one was once again delayed for 30 minutes until the opposition got an athletic trainer on site. The local derby was able to begin and Motown didn't waste much time and took a 1-0 lead in minute 3, with Micaah Garnette firing home. Garnette was able to notch a double before signing off to go on international duty with St Kitts & Nevis to compete in the U20 Concacaf. 2-1 at the half and Motown came out in the second half, scoring another 2 goals to earn a 4-0 win on the road.
Goals from Garnette (2), Zakowski & Ross.
June 11th, NPSL Motown v Atlantic City FC:
Motown hosted a familiar rival in Atlantic City at Drew University on Saturday night.
New FC Motown signing Babacar Diene made his home debut and just like game 1 away, he was on the scoresheet this time he doubled up and gave our play by play commentator Charlie Brooks the opportunity to use his favorite line - “Diene with a brace”!! Motown went into the half up 2-0, and were able to add two more in the second half while creating many more chances. A 4-1 win was well deserved and Motown NPSL notch their 4th win with some great momentum.
Goals from Diene (2), St Vil, Cordeiro.
June 11th, USL2 Motown/STA @ Westchester:
A road trip for the USL2 squad to New Rochelle, New York was up next. Once again it was delayed, this time due to no athletic trainer being provided by the home team - a league-wide rule.
Eventually Motown and Westchester went toe to toe for a solid 65 minutes with no score. Coach Shields and his staff looked to the bench to seek a breakthrough in the 68th minute putting in Aguirre-Rosas, Dunphy and Longdon, and wow, did they make an impact. In minute 72, Linhares slipped a ball to Aguirre-Rosas, who calmly put Motown in the lead. Three more goals were added by Motown as well as one for Westchester on a PK. 4-1 Motown win.
Goals from Aguirre-Rosas, Strumeier, Dunphy Longdon. Special mention to Kyle Linhares with 3 assists.
June 12th, NPSL Motown vs Hoboken FC, NJ State Cup Final:
Motown reloaded 24 hours after their NPSL win to play this game. It was going to take a serious team effort to come away with a win. Opening up the scoring for Motown was Assane Ben Fall, giving Motown a 1-0 lead in the first five minutes of play. Hoboken would then score 15 minutes in, on a beautifully taken free kick. The match was now tied 1-1.
Motown would answer with a goal scored on a corner kick. Federico De Oliveira took the corner, and set up Joe Falla for the goal. Hoboken would again have the answer for Motown’s goal, and scored their second of the night. The match was tied again 2-2, ‘28 in. Half-time left the teams at a draw, 2-2. Three minutes into the second half, Ryan Peterson crossed the ball to Junior Delva to give Motown a 3-2 lead. Motown would then score three more goals in the final five minutes of play. Joe Fala scored his second of the night, and Franco Catania would have two goals for himself. FC Motown won the game 6-2, and the NJ State Cup Final. We went undefeated in league play, and won five games in New Jersey’s premier tourney.
Goals from Assane, Fala (2) Catania (2) Delva.
June 13th, USL2 Motown/STA v FC Copa:
Game three in six days was definitely going to test this youthful talented squad. Finally, back home at Drew University, another local derby saw Motown go down to a wonder goal from FC Copa forward P. Kawecki curled a left-footed strike into the top corner. Motown raised the level in the second half when forward Assane drew a PK and a 2nd yellow for a Copa defender. Peter Stroud calmly slotted home to level the game. Motown were on the front foot versus 10 men, but Copa broke through two minutes later to take the lead once again. Kyle Linhares fired home from distance to get Motown back on level terms, then Motown put the foot on the gas scoring two more to wrap up this local derby in front of a local home crowd. Motown won 4-2. USL2 heads to Brooklyn in 48 hours to face FA Euro.
Goals from Stroud, Linhares (2) Aguirre-Rosas, Strumeier, Dunphy Longdon. Special mention to Kyle Linhares with 3 assists.
Our next NPSL home game is Saturday June 25, 7:00pm at Ranger Stadium, Drew University. The next USL2 home game is this Saturday, June 18th, at 7:30pm. This match will also be played at Ranger Stadium. We would love to see you and your family come support the boys! Children under 16 are free, $10 for all others. Tickets are on sale at the gate but are recommended to purchase in advance https://tickets.uslleaguetwo.com/users/62377705/events