FC Motown
FC Morristown, commonly known as FC Motown, is an American soccer club based in Morristown, New Jersey. Founded in 2012, the team currently plays in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national amateur league and commonly accepted but unofficial fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The team plays its home games at Drew University's Ranger Stadium.[1] Since its founding the club has been coached by former United States U-20 player Šaćir Hot.
Full name | FC Morristown |
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Nickname(s) | Motown |
Founded | 2012 |
Stadium | Ranger Stadium Madison, New Jersey |
Capacity | 1,200 |
Owner(s) | Dan Karosen and Scott Kindzierski |
Head coach | Šaćir Hot |
League | National Premier Soccer League |
2019 | Keystone Division |
Website | Club website |
History
FC Morristown was founded in 2012 by Scott Kindzieski and Dan Karosen and began play in the Garden State Soccer League (GSSL), an amateur soccer league for teams based in the state of New Jersey.[2] While fully amateur, the team qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open Cup by beating tournament regular Lansdowne Bhoys FC, 3-2.[3] The team advanced to the Second Round by beating NPSL side New Jersey Copa FC, 2-1, before falling to Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer League, 3-0.[4][5]
In 2017, the team began working with NPSL side Clarkstown SC Eagles and supplied most of Clarkstown's players and staff.[6] Following the season, Clarkstown Eagles re-branded as FC Motown in late 2017.[7]
The 2018 season was the most successful in the team's short history. With a regular season record of 9-1-0 (27 points) Motown finished atop the Keystone Conference table before winning the conference playoffs all-together by beating West Chester United SC in the final.[8][9] In the Regional and National Playoff, reached the National Final by beating FC Baltimore, New York Cosmos B, and FC Mulhouse Portland with a combined score of 8-3.[10][11] In the final, the team would fall at home to Miami FC 2, 3-1, in front of a sold out crowd of 2,143.[12]
Motown still fields a team in the GSSL and are five-time Super Division Champions, winning the title in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.[13] Entering the 2018 season, FC Motown had a 23-game undefeated streak in the GSSL before falling to Jackson Lions FC in the middle of the season.[14]
In addition the team was also a Fricker Cup Region 1 finalist in 2016 and regional semifinalist in 2017.[15] The team was also an Amateur Cup Region 1 semifinalist in 2014 and 2015.[16][17]
FC Motown has had multiple players sign professional contacts off its squad during its brief history and signed professional talent such as former New York Red Bulls star Dilly Duka and New York Cosmos midfielder Jimmy Mulligan among others. The team has had friendlies against professional teams such as New York City FC, New York Red Bulls II, the Ecuadorian U-20 National Football Team, Peruvian side Sport Boys, and a controlled scrimmage with the Ecuador national football team.
Players & staff
Head coaches
Šaćir Hot (2012– )
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Record
Year-by-year
Year | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Notes |
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2017 | GSSL | 1st, Super Division[20] | N/A | 2nd Round | Played as a fully amateur side |
2018 | NPSL | 1st, Keystone Conference | National Final | 2nd Round | Lost in National Final to Miami FC 2 |
2019 | NPSL | 3rd, Keystone Conference | Northeast Regional Semifinal | 1st Round | Lost in Northeast Regional Semifinal to FC Baltimore Christos |
Year | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | NPSL | 3rd, Keystone Conference | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Played as Jersey City Eagles FC |
2013 | NPSL | 3rd, Keystone Conference | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
2014 | NPSL | 5th, Keystone Conference | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
2015 | NPSL | 1st, Keystone Conference | Regional Final | Did not qualify | Lost in Northeast Regional Final to New York Cosmos B |
2016 | NPSL | 1st, Keystone Conference | National Semifinal | 1st Round | Lost in National Semifinal to AFC Cleveland |
2017 | NPSL | 2nd, Keystone Conference | Northeast Regional Final | 1st Round | Lost in Northeast Regional Final to Elm City Express |
References
- "Home Field". FC Motown. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- Reed, Matt (August 4, 2018). "FC Motown isn't an ordinary NPSL side, and it shows in Year 1". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- Fido, Austin (October 18, 2016). "Sacir Hot talks FC Motown and US Open Cup: "It's kinda surreal"". Once a Metro. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- Vieira, Romulo (May 14, 2017). "2017 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Motown's extra time free kick is enough to edge NJ Copa FC". TheCup.us. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- Doherty, Brendan (May 20, 2017). "2017 US Open Cup Round 2: Graf's goal, assist gives Rochester Rhinos a record 16th straight opening win". Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "Welcome to NPSL: FC Motown – FC Motown". Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- "CLARKSTOWN SC EAGLES REBRANDS AS FC MOTOWN". National Premier Soccer League. December 6, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- Matthews, Aaron (July 10, 2018). "FC Motown Clinches the Keystone Conference; Team Ranked No. 1". Tap into Madison. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- Ralph, Matthew (July 15, 2018). "West Chester United knocked out of NPSL playoffs in penalty shootout". Brotherly Game. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "FC MOTOWN ADVANCES TO NATIONAL SEMIFINALS WITH 3-2 WIN OVER NEW YORK COSMOS B". National Premier Soccer League. July 22, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "FC MOTOWN DEFEATS FCM PORTLAND 2-1 IN NATIONAL SEMIFINAL". National Premier Soccer League. July 29, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "MIAMI FC 2 CROWNED 2018 NPSL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS". National Premier Soccer League. August 5, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "NJSA - Referee Assignment System". system.njsasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- Celtics, FC Motown (2018-10-13). "5-1 loss to @JacksonLionsFC on road snapping our 30 plus wins in a row in GSSL in resounding fashion. Down 2-1 with 20 left and Jackson down to 10 men but it all came on done. Thin bench tonight but the right team ended the streak. Maxi Garcia with goal". @fc_motown. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- Fricker, Michael (March 29, 2016). "Region I Finalizes 2016 Fricker Open Cup Schedule". US Amateur Cup Media. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- "2014 Cup Qualifiers". United States Adult Soccer Association - Region I. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- "2015 Cup Qualifiers". United States Adult Soccer Association - Region I. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- "Lamar Hunt US Open Cup New York Red Bulls U-23 vs Clarkstown SC Eagles". www.google.com.
- "@FC Motown on Twitter: "Starting 11 against @ShockNPSL in @NPSLSoccer Keystone action. Some roster additions as the schedule heats up. #morristown #madison #npsl"". www.twitter.com.
- "NJSA - Referee Assignment System". system.njsasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-07-14.