Three’s Company: Cotter, Longo, and Sieg's Outlook On the upcoming FC Monmouth Season
Written by Chris Dailey
Many FC Monmouth players have made their mark on the world of collegiate soccer this past season. With FCM players even playing alongside one another and developing a closer bond that they will carry to the upcoming NPSL season.
“Personally, I believe my season improved as the season went on. I seriously injured my ankle very early on in pre-season so it didn’t start how I planned. Things gradually started to be a lot smoother as time went on and I believe I had a decent year,” said Rhys Cotter, captain of FC Monmouth.
Rhys netted 2 goals and provided 1 assist this past season with GCU. Fellow FC Monmouth standout, Mikey Mallon, provided 1 goal and 2 assists throughout the season.
Cotter went on to talk about the memories FC Monmouth provided him that helped him throughout his collegiate season, stating, “Playing with the GCU lads at FCM helped massively, on and off the field. Obviously, the more you play with them, the more you understand each other better. But I believe the biggest thing for me was the off the field stuff. The summer at FC Monmouth allowed us to create many more stories and memories, and we are always retelling these stories to the rest of the boys when we sit down eating dinner or just relaxing, and it does actually make you realize how close you’ve become and the fact we completed this chapter together, does create a special bond.”
Cotter is ecstatic to get back to the brotherhood that FC Monmouth provides and link up with players such as Jack Longo, a sophomore at Bryant from Tinton Falls.
“I’m really excited to get back to the NPSL season. Last year I felt like we had a lot of potential but we were young and inexperienced. This year I feel like things will start turning our way more, as players are starting to build chemistry late in the season. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can accomplish this summer,” said Longo about the season.
This past collegiate season went well for Longo, who continued upon the success he enjoyed at FC Monmouth.
“Although our team didn’t have that good of a season, on a personal level I had a really good year. I racked up a ton of minutes starting every game at either wing back or center mid. Felt like this season helped my development as a player and hopefully this will help us with the NPSL season coming,” said Longo regarding his collegiate season with the Bryant Bears.
Longo and Cotter were both fan favorites at FC Monmouth, as was fellow midfielder Brett Sieg, who is longing to get back to action with the blue and gold.
“I’m very excited to get back to FC Monmouth. Last year was one of my favorite experiences playing soccer, but this year I’m excited to turn more tight score lines in our favor,” said Sieg.
All three members of the FC Monmouth squad are eager to get back to work after their respective collegiate season.
In addition to them, FCM is expecting many returners, including Mason Martelloni, who won the NJAC Conference with Rowan in one of the biggest D3 soccer upsets in the country, as many fans and pundits alike expected Montclair State to win.
Martelloni had a very solid season and is one of the biggest vocal leaders returning for the NPSL season.
This FC Monmouth team is not to be taken lightly by the rest of the Keystone - or the league as a matter of fact. FC Monmouth managed to tie FC Motown 1-1, away from home, early in the season. FC Motown went on to win the National Championship, just a testament to how talented the FC Monmouth roster and coaching staff is.
With an understanding of one another’s traits, and coming off of the back of high-level, intense collegiate seasons, the sky's the limit for FC Monmouth this season, and the club is hopeful to reach new heights and lift the Keystone Conference trophy for the first time in club history.
We are looking forward to next season already! Keep up to date with us @wearemonmouth.