FC Monmouth Home Opener vs Jackson Lions FC Match Preview
Soccer is back at Count Basie Park, and we cordially invite you to come on down for our home opener and Community Day!
FC Monmouth looks to bounce back after a gut-wrenching, very late-on defeat to West Chester United SC on the road last weekend, with their home-opener against historical partners and rivals, Jackson Lions FC on Saturday, May 21.
The match is slated for a 6pm kickoff at Count Basie Park in Red Bank, with the doors opening at 5pm for a plethora of local entities and game-based activities to help with match-build up and to offer entertainment that few else offer at this level of American soccer.
Local food vendors, FC Monmouth-themed giveaways, and even a performance from local band The Nobodies will help to craft an extraordinary atmosphere for what is being dubbed by many as the “Derby of the Counties.”
The NPSL-newcomers and Ocean County staple Jackson Lions dropped their first competitive NPSL match at the midweek, losing on the road to Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 2-0. Additionally, as aforementioned, FC Monmouth lost to an 86th-minute winner in Pennsylvania to West Chester last weekend.
Despite the loss and it’s heartbreaking fashion, Head Coach John Killick was confident that the performance felt like it deserved more than to walk away with nothing, and is confident in the squad’s ability to bounce back.
“We were the better team for a vast majority of the match,” he began. “What cost us, ultimately was broken down into two mistakes. We omit those two errors, we win the game. It’s that simple.”
“We need to take our chances and limit our mistakes. If we can clean up the loose ends, we will get the three points this weekend.” Killick stated confidently after the loss.
Here is the 18-man roster that will represent FC Monmouth in their first home match of the 2022 season:
#1 Jake Nicoll GK
#33 A.J. Montana GK
#3 Mason Martelloni Defender
#4 Mussie Tesfay Defender
#13 Aime Amouzou Defender
#27 Evan Walters Defender
#99 George Akampeke Defender
#2 Brett Sieg Midfielder
#6 Zach Golden Midfielder
#7 Cameron Allen Midfielder
#8 Johnny Hart Midfielder
#10 Daniel Ramm Midfielder
#12 Aniello Lubrano Midfielder
#14 Sam Thombs Midfielder
#17 Michael Mallon Midfielder
#66 Rhys Cotter Midfielder (C)
#11 Mickael Rodriguez Forward
#77 Christian Hernandez Forward
In what will be the first match in likely a long and winding rivalry in the NPSL between the two local powerhouses, the hosts certainly have a lot to prove to the newcomers, having a lengthy past of partnership and triumph in harmony between the cross-county programs.
That partnership, however, all ends when the whistle blows for the start of the 90 minutes Saturday, says Killick.
“We don’t care who you are, how we know you, who we know- we want to win. Plain and simple.”
FC Monmouth would like to thank all of its fans, staff, players, and sponsors for all of their dedication and continued support. We absolutely love our home games and being a part of the local Red Bank and regional Jersey Shore community.
Our approach to the game directly reflects communal involvement, and it is always a special occasion when our faithful support can come out to not only a wonderful soccer fixture, but an engrossing and involving match day experience, right in your backyard!
We hope to see you at 5pm at the Basie, you will NOT want to miss out! Let’s go Monmouth! Tickets are available for purchase here.
Kieffer Braisted is a writer and social media manager for FC Monmouth. Having graduated from Kean University with a degree in communications and journalism, Kieffer brings a plethora of experience to the FC Monmouth media team, and will be producing both written content and managing social media platforms for the club.