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Manhattan SC

2023 US Open Cup Round 2: Stephen Elias’ first half brace was difference as Flower City Union beats Manhattan SC

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Flower City Union huddle up during the club's 2023 US Open Cup match against Manhattan SC. Photo: Flower City Union
Flower City Union huddle up during the club’s 2023 US Open Cup match against Manhattan SC. Photo: Flower City Union

A first half brace by Stephen Elias helped Flower City Union advance to the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after beating Manhattan SC 3-1 at Rochester Community Sports Complex on Tuesday night. 

After a feisty start to the match with both sides receiving a caution within the first 15 minutes, Manhattan’s Harold Fuller failed to convert an opportunity on the counter in the 22nd minute.

Flower City Union held the fair share of the possession in the first half creating a few chances. Luke Ferreira had a shot from just outside the box fly just over the crossbar in the 30th minute and just five minutes later had a free kick on the left side of the goal parried behind the net by goalkeeper Marco Graci. The breakthrough came on the ensuing corner kick as the ball popped out to Elias and he caressed a volley into the net. 


Elias would double the Flower City lead just six minutes later when a Fredrick Yamoah Opoku’s cross found the head of Alioune Diakhate who guided it down into the outstretched hand of Graci falling to Elias’ foot as he stroked home his second of the match. The first half would end with Flower City Union leading 2-0. 

Elias spoke about his first goal after the match.

“Originally I was thinking about lacing through it and at the last second I decided to go inside of the foot, it’s a little easier to place it. As soon as I hit it I was just praying it went over the defenders head and luckily it dropped,” said Elias. “It felt amazing being in front of the home fans for the first time, the energy was great and hopefully we can continue to build off this.”

Manhattan SC came out in the second half looking to get back into the match and would find the back of the net in the 65th minute. A free kick crossed by Amara Sesay pinballed off a few legs eventually finding the foot of Bibi Hakim Karamoko who would fire it into the back of the net to put Manhattan SC back in the match. 

Both sides would battle for the remainder of the match until Flower City striker Diakhate received a pinched slide tackle from Angelo Calfo on the top of the box. Diakhate shifted the ball to his right and powered it past Manhattan goalkeeper Graci. 


Flower City Union controlled the rest of the match advancing into the next round by a score of 3-1. It was their second straight opening round win in the club’s second Open Cup appearance.

Flower City Union coach Jordan Sullivan is in his first season as the Flower City coach and spoke about how it feels to advance.

“Relieved. It was good, the guys had our back today. We went out there and we worked hard,” said Sullivan. “We got the win so the feeling right now is fantastic, but we set ourselves collective goals in the locker room and it wasn’t to give up and go out at this stage. So we want to go out and continue to press on and continue to go through.” 

The 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup third round draw will take place later this week.

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Motown’s protest denied, Manhattan SC still advances, source says

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Players from Manhattan SC (red) and FC Motown challenge for a header in their First Round match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Joe Bolella @sonofapitchmedia
Players from Manhattan SC (red) and FC Motown challenge for a header in their First Round match in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Joe Bolella @sonofapitchmedia

FC Motown filed an official complaint related to the 2023 US Open Cup first round match against Manhattan SC due to the field of play not meeting minimum size dimensions. This was first reported by Hudson River Blue (HRB). However, TheCup.us has learned from a source within the US Soccer Federation that the protest will be denied and Manhattan SC will advance after Wednesday’s 2-1 extra time win.

Additionally, in the team’s official protest, Motown lodged complaints about the match commissioner and other officials on site not following proper protocol, according to Hudson River Blue who obtained a copy of the official protest document sent to US Soccer.

According to the US Open Cup handbook, field dimensions must meet a minimum of 112 yards by 67 yards, which was confirmed on Wednesday by game officials according to Hudson River Blue. However, an official measurement was taken of the field and it was deemed to be too narrow. However, instead of the match official ruling on the matter in consultation with US Soccer officials before deciding to play the match or deem a forfeit in favor of FC Motown. This decision led to team ownership and coaching staff debating the best course of action per HRB.

One option was to declare a forfeit in Motown’s favor, and have the two sides then play an exhibition match to entertain the crowd. But the match commissioner stated that his officiating crew would leave if Motown took the forfeit, and wouldn’t stay for an exhibition match.

Motown now contends the demands of the match commissioner, combined with the hostile environment and persistence of match officials to for a decision before the scheduled kickoff, did not allow for a proper discussion of options. In the end, the owner of Motown who wanted the forfeit felt that having an escalating argument in public wasn’t the proper path forward. He conceded, and the game went ahead with Motown losing in extra time.

There were other issues FC Motown had with Manhattan SC’s stadium and surrounding facility on the campus of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx.

As HRB further reports and witnessed the last point of the team’s contention in-person during the game on Wednesday:

The protest letter goes on to claim that Manhattan SC made other false statements to the US Open Cup regarding the requirements of a hosting facility. This included the distance of the locker room from the field, the minimum amount of bleacher space fans, proper ticketing infrastructure to comply with tournament standards, proper bathrooms, and a functioning scoreboard for the entire match.

This is the second year in a row FC Motown protested a US Open Cup First Round match. Last year, Motown protested that West Chester United used an illegal substitution in the team’s first round loss. The US Open Cup Adjudication & Discipline Panel ruled in favor of Motown who won the replayed match and advanced to the Second Round.

2023 US Open Cup Round 1: Manhattan SC completes comeback with 2-1 extra time win over FC Motown

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Players from Manhattan SC celebrate after scoring a goal against FC Motown in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Joe Bolella @sonofapitchmedia
Players from Manhattan SC celebrate after scoring a goal against FC Motown in the First Round of the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Joe Bolella @sonofapitchmedia

UPDATE: FC Motown file and lose protest over field dimensions of Round One match, Manhattan advances to play Flower City Union

Manhattan SC won their opening game in the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after beating FC Motown in extra time at Marillac Field in the Bronx on Wednesday night.

After falling behind early, a pair of teenagers led the way. Bibi Karamoko equalized in the second half for Manhattan and then assisted on William Lulka’s game-winner in the 106th minute to give the USL League Two side their first-ever Open Cup win. 

Manhattan advance to take on Flower City Union of NISA in the Second Round on April 4.

In the first half, both teams traded shots on goal and fouls as they felt each other out. Manhattan SC would have a few chances as the match opened up. The best of which came in the 8th minute as a well timed low cross missed everyone’s boots in the box. Shortly after, it was FC Motown who would jump out to an early lead in the 26th minute. Franco Catania finished a pass from Samunel Nii Ashitey. There was not much the Manhattan SC goalkeeper could do as Catania’s shot found the back of the net. Manhattan SC would later be denied a penalty despite numerous claims from the players. The first half would end with FC Motown in the lead, 1-0.



Manhattan SC pushed for an equalizer in the second half, and got their reward in the 54th minute. Hakim Karamoto came to his side’s rescue as his goal tied the game at 1-1. It was all about finding a winner from then on. Manhattan SC had the best chance to grab a winner later in the half. FC Motown keeper David Greczek kept his side in the match with a diving save from a header at close range. At the end of regulation, the sides could not be separated and we headed to extra time.

FC Motown had a much larger bench than Manhattan SC. They made several changes as the match went on and looked to have the fresher legs. They dominated the first period of extra time, but couldn’t come up with a goal to show for it. Their best opportunity was a header in the 101st minute. In the second half of extra time, Manhattan SC went all in. A run from William Lulka ended with the ball in the back of the net and a 2-1 lead for his side in the 106st minute. They would absorb the pressure from Motown to see out the match and secure their place in the next round.

FC Motown coach Gideon Baah had a sober tone after the match. “Unfortunately we couldn’t finish a lot of our chances. Most of the half chances we could have buried. But for me I see it in this way; perspective wise, these things happen.”


His counter part, Ray Selvadurai, was very proud of his squad. ““It’s a big honor and a big step. Like I mentioned before about our club, we’re a youth club that took a step into pre-professional. To play against a professional team in the next round is a great honor and I think my guys showed tonight that they could compete.”

Manhattan SC will face Flower City Union in the next round on April 4th. 

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