FC Monmouth Wraps Up Home Slate With 1-1 Draw Against Atlantic City FC

RED BANK, NJ – With a second half goal from forward Jacob Rubinstein, FC Monmouth (2-2-3) concluded its 2021 home schedule with a 1-1 draw against Atlantic City FC (5-0-2) Friday night.

For the second-straight week, scoring opportunities were at a premium in the first half for both sides. Atlantic City was able to score on their lone shot attempt in the 39th minute to make the halftime score 1-0.

Shots became more frequent in the second half, and FC Monmouth was able to tie the game at one in the 64th minute. Atlantic City FC passed the ball back to their goalkeeper, who was then pressured by forward Walter Calderon as he went to pass it back out to a defender. Rubinstein, who was subbed in shortly before, intercepted the pass and immediately shot it, scoring his third goal of the season.

Rubinstein, along with midfielder David Nigro, recorded the next three shots before Atlantic City FC responded with four of their own. Each club had a chance to take the lead after the 90th minute, but the game ended 1-1 in what was a tightly-contested clash between two in-state rivals.

AT THE MICROPHONE

“We were doing well and then we got caught trying to play an offside to trap them and we probably shouldn’t have, and that’s how they scored their goal. At halftime we made some adjustments, and we were able to score off of it. The boys did a great job at the end when they were pushing numbers forward to hold on and get us a point.” – Head Coach Brian Woods

“Atlantic City was towards the top of the table so we knew it was going to be a tough one. Those points are important especially when you are playing those top teams, so it was great we were able to get the draw. We’ve been showing this season that we can come from behind and get points when we need to, so that’s good. I got subbed on so I had fresh legs, so I felt like I needed to use them as much as I could to help out the guys who had already played 60 minutes. Like I said, this was a big game against a good team and we needed points, so we have to give it 100 percent every time.” – Forward Jacob Rubinstein

“We started out a bit slow and we were trying to adjust to the way that they played. It was a very direct game in the first half. One slip-up in the back and they took advantage of an opportunity. The second half Coach Woods changed it up a bit, so it gave us more of an ability to possess and move the ball around the back a little bit faster. I think we were more dangerous in the second half. Obviously both teams probably feel like they should have won that game, so it is going to make the next one a tough match. I think most of the guys, as happy as we are that we were able to get the draw, feel like we could have taken the three points. We’ve got a couple more games and we just have to go forward.” – Goalkeeper Matt Perrella

NOTES AND NUMBERS

Rubinstein now has three goals and an assist in three games.

Defender Zachary Pereira eclipsed 2,000 minutes for his FC Monmouth career, becoming the first-ever player to reach that milestone. Earlier this season, he also became the club’s all-time leader in games played.

The game marked the first time in club history that both FC Monmouth and its opponent had under 10 shots each for the game.

To expand on the defensive battle, the five combined shots on target were the fewest since May 29, 2019, when FC Monmouth defeated Atlantic City FC 1-0.

FC Monmouth finished its 2021 home slate with a record of 1-1-2. Their all-time record at Count Basie Park now sits at 7-3-4.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE

FC Monmouth will hit the road for the final three games of the 2021 regular season. The first of the three will be on Saturday, June 26, against West Chester United SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.