Zach Rayment

2019 US Open Cup qualifying: Jackson Lions slip by Newtown Pride on controversial PK

September 25, 2018 by Zach Rayment

Jackson Lions FC needed extra time to defeat Newtown Pride, 1-0, in the First Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

Ryan Bailey scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time in the first half of overtime.

Lions head coach Brad Fraley applauded his players for getting the shutout win over 120 minutes.

“It’s early in the year,” Fraley said. “But, it’s nice to get a shutout on top of the win.”

The lone goal of the match was scored on a penalty kick that the Newtown players were visibly upset with after the match had ended. Filipe Dutra made a sliding challenge on Jackson’s Ryan Bailey late in the first half of stoppage time and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. There was a stoppage of about two or so minutes after the call was made with the visiting team wholeheartedly arguing with the referee. There is no doubt that Dutra made contact with the player, but he also got a big chunk of the ball and Newtown may have a case. Nonetheless, their qualifying campaign ended early.

Overall, it was a fairly even match with both teams struggling to attack consistently. It was no surprise that they needed extra time to decide the game. The Lions and Pride both went through spells where they had control, but the two struggled to create chances. The little moments of magic came from the wing. Jackson’s Walter Calderon was one move away from cutting through the visiting defense on a handful of occasions. Newtown’s Sylla Salifou was the biggest threat and looked like he was going to be the difference maker, but it was not meant to be for the Connecticut-based club.

Jackson Lions FC will advance to the next round of qualifying where they will face off with the three-time US Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian Freedoms on Oct. 20.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: “Designated Player” Dilly Duka leads FC Motown to win over Red Bulls U-23s

May 11, 2018 by Zach Rayment

Dilly Duka of FC Motown scores what would be the game-winning goal against the New York Red Bulls U-23s in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

MORE: Check out a photo gallery from Bob Larson of this game

FC Motown came from behind to defeat the New York Red Bulls Under-23s, 2-1 in the opening round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. All the goals came in a thrilling first half where both teams threatened to score multiple times. Former MLS player Dilly Duka was the star of the night scoring a brace for his new club.

It was the first Open Cup win in club history for the team formerly known as the Clarkstown Eagles. The Eagles had qualified out of the NPSL for the past two years, and this past offseason announced that they were merging with FC Motown and would take their name. (FC Motown, the team that competed in the 2017 US Open Cup, still competes in the Garden State Soccer League)

It was all going well for the Red Bulls U-23s early on as they constantly put pressure on the hosts. Some exciting play in the final third led to the first goal, which was headed in by Brian Saramago in the 21st minute of play. Sean Teixeira got the assist with a delicious curling cross from the right side. The MLS Academy side was dominant leading up to this moment.

The next 10 minutes were vital for Motown’s victory. They took control of the match and created chance after chance. They were eventually rewarded for their improved play with an equalizing goal in the 35th minute scored by Duka. Chris Cartona tracked down a loose ball on the right wing and played a ball into the middle to an onrushing Duka who took a touch at the top of the D and fired a left-footed blast into the back of the net with force.

Duka’s first goal for FC Motown

It wasn’t long before he got a second. Just nine minutes later Duka scored again after the ball fell to him on a long throw-in. The ball was headed straight up in the air and Duka, shielding off a defender just outside the six-yard box, brought the ball down, turned, and volleyed the ball inside the far post.

A pair of first half goals in the first half helped Duka earn high praise from head coach, Sacir Hot.

“Duka is a game changer,” he said. “It is almost like we have a DP (Designated Player) for an NPSL club.”

Duka’s game-winning volley

It was not all good on the day for FC Motown. Walter Calderon was shown a red card in the 84th minute meaning the midfielder will not be eligible to play in the Second Round. There was speculation that he was sent off for spitting.

For the last six minutes, plus the 10 minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of the match, Motown held on while they were down a man. It was no easy task as they struggled to keep the ball out of their own half. They could not get a hold of possession for more than a few seconds, which meant the Red Bulls U23’s had plenty of chances.

In total, the MLS Academy side had 10 shots, with six of them being on target. Motown let fire 14 times on the night, but only managed five on target. Motown goalkeeper, Ryan Baird, made five saves on the night and managed to keep his team in it.

For Duka, a US youth international who spent time with four different MLS teams (Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact, Columbus Crew – twice, New York Red Bulls), playing for FC Motown is a strange choice for a 28-year-old with his credentials. His motivation for signing was to get some playing time as he slowly recovers from offseason ankle surgery.

Duka’s two goals against Red Bulls U-23s were the first two US Open Cup goals of his career, and gives himself a little bit of family bragging rights. Prior to this game, the only member of his family to score an Open Cup goal was his older brother Argjent Duka, who scored four goals (including a hat trick) for the New Jersey-based amateur side Icon FC back in 2013. While his Argjent’s team only lasted two rounds that year, Dilly played a big role with the Chicago Fire team that reached the Semifinals that year.

Sacir Hot also mentioned that he is “excited” to get a shot at a pro team in the second round.

“Penn FC has been a really good pro USL franchise for a long time,” Hot added.

FC Motown will host Penn FC, the team formerly known as the Harrisburg City Islanders, on Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. The match will be played at Ranger Stadium on the campus of Drew University in Madison, NJ.

Coach Hot thinks this match can put FC Motown on the map.

“The only way to get ourselves on the map is to beat a USL team,” he said. Since the league was founded in 2003, only one NPSL team (Chattanooga FC eliminated the Wilmington Hammerheads twice) has eliminated a pro team. FC Motown is aiming to be added to that list.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Ocean City Nor’easters beat Junior Lone Star 3-1 to reach double digit cup wins

May 14, 2017 by Zach Rayment

The Ocean City Nor'easters pose for a team photo at "The Beach House", their home field in Ocean City, NJ before their 2017 US Open Cup match against Junior Lone Star. Photo: Ocean City Nor'easters — The Ocean City Nor’easters pose for a team photo at “The Beach House”, their home field in Ocean City, NJ before their 2017 US Open Cup match against Junior Lone Star. Photo: Ocean City Nor’easters

The Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) prevailed 3-1 in the First Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against Philadelphia’s Junior Lone Star (USASA). With the win, the Nor’easters will move on to host the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) in Round 2 on May 17.

The victory gives the Nor’easters 10 Open Cup wins as a franchise, nine of those coming as a member of the PDL. Nine wins ranks third among all amateur teams in the country in the Modern Era (Michigan Bucks 14, Des Moines Menace 12).

Ocean City started the game firing going ahead in the 4th minute through Fredlin Mompremier. Ignacio Tellechea collected the assist after sending the ball from the corner to the far post. Mompremier hit a first time effort under the keeper in the bottom corner.

It did not take long for the hosts to double their lead. In the 11th minute, English midfielder Tyler Collishaw tapped home an easy effort after a cross from Ismael Noumansana to give Ocean City the 2-0 lead.

The hosts were dominant in the first half and even looked liked they could have grabbed a third goal a few times, but Junior Lone Star goalkeeper, Prince Monyan played a huge role in keeping his team in the game headed into the break.

Junior Lone Star assistant coach, Charlie Flowe, said that they were a “second half team.” He praised their fitness and said that it kept them in the game.

That proved to be true as JLS started the second half with three players at the back as they brought on Joshua Chelleh to give the struggling Anthony Allison some help up top. This would change the match, giving the JLS a spark starting in the 48th minute. Allison hit a curling shot that nearly found the side netting, but later he was denied by the right post.

Junior Lone Star continued to create chances and it finally paid off in the 62nd minute as Koussai N’Guessan slotted home Yaya Fane’s cross to score the first Open Cup goal in club history.

They continued to fight for the equalizer but it was a second half sub that paid off for Ocean City’s first-year head coach John Thompson. After inserting Akeil Barrett, who helped the Swope Park Rangers win the USL title last year, he set up the clinching goal. Barrett made a run through the JLS defense and set up Collishaw for his second goal of the game in the 82nd minute. With the goal, Collishaw becomes the second Ocean City player in history to score multiple goals in a US Open Cup game.

Late in the second half, Junior Lone Star midfielder Zoncher Dennis, a former Ocean City player, was sent off for a second bookable offense which hurt their chances of a late comeback.

2017 US Open Cup Qualifying: Junior Lone Star lone Philly team left after win over Brick Lions FC

October 25, 2016 by Zach Rayment

Ebere Goodluck of Junior Lone Star dribbles against Brick Lions FC in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Junior Lone Star

Junior Lone Star advanced to the next round in the 2017 US Open Cup with a 3-2 win over New Jersey’s Brick Lions FC.

It was an exciting first half between Brick Lions FC and the Philadelphia-based Junior Lone Star at Pinewood Park in Brick, NJ. The action started early when BLFC took the lead in the 6th minute through Benji Vergara. Cody Calafiore whipped a dangerous cross to Chris Katona at the far post, who then headed the ball towards the top of the six yard box for Vergara to volley home.

About midway through the first half the visitors, Junior Lone Star, started to gain momentum. In the 26th minute Anthony Allison was brought down in the box, but no penalty was given. Three minutes later, Allison was taken out by the goalkeeper and this time the referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot. The man who created the penalty stood up and hit it off the post and into the back of the net from 12 yards out to tie the game.

Junior Lone Star poses for a team photo before their 2017 US Open Cup qualifier against Brick Lions FC. Photo: Junior Lone Star

Brick were the better team for the majority of the second half. They took their second lead of the game in the 59th minute when Olsen-Barr headed a corner kick into the back of the net. Calafiore, who was involved in the first goal, got the assist.

Junior Lone Star kept the fighting spirit alive with Ebere Goodluck equalizing in the 74th minute. Goodluck gathered the loose ball in the box and finished impressively into the top right corner from a tight angle. The goalkeeper never had a chance to get to it. The Stars had been dominated in the second half, but found a way back in the match.

Joshua Chelleh is the star of the match after putting Junior Lone Star in front in the 82nd minute. He received the pass from Allison and quickly got the shot past the keeper to put his team in the next round.

Junior Lone Star Head Coach, Bobby Ali, praised his team’s “fighting spirit.”

Junior Lone Star has been a regular entry in US Open Cup qualifying since 2011, but has yet to qualify for the tournament. Last year, they fell short in the opening round of the open division tournament, losing an extra time match with West Chester United. With West Chester losing their second round match to Christos FC, JLS are now the last remaining Philadelphia-area club in the tournament.