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) and USL League Two. In 2020 the team joined the newly formed Northeast Elite Soccer League (NESL) and formed a U23 team that competed in the EDP 23U league.

FC Motown
Full nameFC Morristown
Nickname(s)Motown
Founded2012
StadiumRanger Stadium
Madison, New Jersey
Capacity1,200
Owner(s)Dan Karosen and Scott Kindzierski
Head coachŠaćir Hot
LeagueNational Premier Soccer League
USL League Two
2020Season cancelled
WebsiteClub website

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.

History

FC Morristown was founded in 2012 by Scott Kindzierski 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, Motown 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 seven-time Super Division Champions, winning the title in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.[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]

Clarkstown SC Eagles Logo (2013-2017)

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]

Motown took part in the inaugural Lower League eCup during the summer of 2020, a lower league eSports FIFA competition, winning the PS4 title with player Deiver Lopez.

Once back on the field in 2020, the team won the NJ State Cup title defeating Clifton, and the GSSL Super Division title defeating Clifton. The team also formed a U23 team which competed in the EDP and went 7-0 winning the men's central red division.

On January 13, 2021, Motown joined USL League Two alongside its NPSL squad, U23 team, and local amateur sides.[18]

FC Motown has had multiple players sign professional contracts off its squad during its brief history such as Joe Fala with New York Red Bulls 2 and has 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

Coaches
  • Šaćir Hot (2012– )
  • Alan McClintock (2018- ) U23 Head Coach (2020- )

Current squad
As of 17 December 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  USA Zach Knudson
— MF  USA Freddy Olivera
14 MF  USA Danny Cordeiro
1 GK  USA David Greczek
24 MF  USA Emerson Lawrence
0 GK  USA Greg Irwin
3 DF  USA Jean Voltaire
— MF  USA John Murphy
— FW  USA Zach Riviere
— DF  USA Ronald Kestelboym
9 FW  USA Kene Eze
13 DF  USA Marcus Hackett
No. Pos. Nation Player
10 FW  USA Eddy Enowobi
11 MF  ARG Max Garcia
— DF  USA Sainclair
— MF  USA John Casey
17 DF  USA Kian Fazel-Sarjui
2 FW  USA Ryan Peterson
— DF  USA Jake Longo
— DF  USA Esteban Hidalgo
— FW  USA Anes Mrkulic
7 FW  USA Joe Fala
— FW  USA Aidan Cserhat

Notable players

This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.

Record

Year-by-year
Clarkstown SC Eagles History (2012-2017)
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
Team History
Year League Regular Season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Notes
2017 GSSL 1st, Super Division[19] 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

References
  1. "Home Field". FC Motown. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Welcome to NPSL: FC Motown – FC Motown". Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  7. "CLARKSTOWN SC EAGLES REBRANDS AS FC MOTOWN". National Premier Soccer League. December 6, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  8. Matthews, Aaron (July 10, 2018). "FC Motown Clinches the Keystone Conference; Team Ranked No. 1". Tap into Madison. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  9. Ralph, Matthew (July 15, 2018). "West Chester United knocked out of NPSL playoffs in penalty shootout". Brotherly Game. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  10. "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.
  11. "FC MOTOWN DEFEATS FCM PORTLAND 2-1 IN NATIONAL SEMIFINAL". National Premier Soccer League. July 29, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  12. "MIAMI FC 2 CROWNED 2018 NPSL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS". National Premier Soccer League. August 5, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  13. "NJSA - Referee Assignment System". system.njsasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  14. 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.
  15. Fricker, Michael (March 29, 2016). "Region I Finalizes 2016 Fricker Open Cup Schedule". US Amateur Cup Media. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  16. "2014 Cup Qualifiers". United States Adult Soccer Association - Region I. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  17. "2015 Cup Qualifiers". United States Adult Soccer Association - Region I. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
  18. Battista, Mike (13 January 2021). "FC Motown to join USL League Two for 2021 season". Once A Metro. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  19. "NJSA - Referee Assignment System". system.njsasoccer.com. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
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