FC Monmouth at FC Motown Match Preview
FC Monmouth will look to ignite their season this Memorial Day Weekend and regain the form that saw them advance all the way to the Keystone Conference Final last campaign, in a rematch of that very same fixture, away at FC Motown.
Slated for a 7pm kickoff on Sunday, May 29 at Montclair State University’s athletic facilities, FC Monmouth is aiming to capture the three points- which would be their first of the season- in what’s certainly a match fueled with a vengeance from last season’s heartbreak.
The Final last season featured a resilient FC Monmouth side, fresh off a wonderful and unlikely upset over the number one overall-seeded West Chester United SC, pitted against clear favorites and perennial NPSL National Playoff contenders FC Motown. Despite an honorable and heroic showing, FC Monmouth unfortunately lost the game 2-0, ending a whirlwind of a season.
Although the loss was disheartening, Assistant Coach at the time-turned Head Coach John Killick thinks that there is more to come from the squad this season, and that this game could be the perfect rebound for a group that’s in desperate need of a spark off the back of two stinging defeats.
“We are certainly more capable of showing our ability and value beyond the first two fixtures and results,” began Killick, upbeat and jolly as usual.
“The first game came down to a couple of fundamental errors, while the second was a display of what we were so used to having provide for our own- Walter Calderon. FC Motown are a tough group, but I think that if we take the lessons that we learned and apply them in this fixture, I fancy us to leave with the points.”
With some solid tactical and technical sessions in training over the past week, the team is continuing to gel and bind together, a group that returns just five players from yesteryear’s roster.
“It must not be lost on us, especially as a coaching staff and fanbase, that this is a very different group of lads from last season. Naturally, they’ll need some time to grow and adapt.” Killick explained.
Here is the group that will make the trip up the Garden State Parkway to Montclair, with the 18-man roster confirmed below:
#1 Jake Nicoll GK
#33 A.J. Montana GK
#3 Mason Martelloni Defender
#13 Aime Amouzou Defender
#20 Jack Longo Defender
#25 Thomas Scollan Defender
#2 Brett Sieg Midfielder
#5 Joseph Lozowski Midfielder
#8 Johnny Hart Midfielder
#12 Aniello Lubrano Midfielder
#14 Sam Thombs Midfielder
#17 Michael Mallon Midfielder
#26 Christian Torres Midfielder
#66 Rhys Cotter Midfielder ©
#9 Luke Pascarella Forward
#11 Mickael Rodriguez Forward
#30 Alexander Navarrete Forward
#77 Christian Hernandez Forward
As always, FC Monmouth would like to thank both the home support for their incredible contributions to a wonderful atmosphere at our home opener last weekend, and to those that will travel with us up the length of the state to support us this weekend. The players and staff alike would like to stress that without our supporters, none of this is possible, so thank you kindly.
“We’d love to wrap up the three points for the supporters this weekend,” said Captain and Englishman Rhys Cotter.
“They were everything for us last weekend. We certainly owe them a solid performance.”
The importance of this match is only amplified by the need to gain momentum and make up for lost points over the two matches prior. Thus, it is essential that the team gives a strong showing, and has the backing and support of the best fans in New Jersey right behind them.
Head Coach John Killick only solidified Cotter’s claims over the importance of the supporters.
“That’s who we do it for- the fans. Sure, we love to come out and kick the ball about, but the fans make it all worthwhile.”
We hope to see you in Montclair Sunday night. Let’s go Monmouth!
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.