FC Motown Defeats Jackson Lions SC 3-2 in Jersey Classico

By FC Motown

Amateur soccer was at its finest on Saturday night at MSU Soccer Park on the campus of Montclair State University.  There was everything you could ask for in a lower division fixture: former collegiate stars, current college standouts, and retired professionals.  The Jersey Classico provided the area’s most extraordinary rivalry, and it was sure to be an incredible night for any soccer fan. 

The game started with a bang.  Just 25 seconds into the fixture, William Mensah Opoku crossed the ball from the left flank.  This found the left foot of Christopher Bermudez to put the defending national champions up 1-0.

The early goal only fueled the Jackson Lions as their youthful midfield began to heat up and take control of the game.  Only five minutes later, Notre Dame standout Daniel Russo took a shot that rattled off both posts before former Monmouth University standout Jacob Rubinstein put in the goal to tie the score at 1-1. 

In the 37th minute, FC Motown retook control of the game with a feed from Yusuf Cueceoglu down the right flank and found a speedy William Mensah Opoku.  Then Opoku dribbled, cut past the first defender, and then with two Jackson defenders nearby, slotted the ball into the low far corner with the outside of his foot.  FC Motown had reclaimed the lead and took the 2-1 advantage into halftime. 

FC Motown benefitted from huge saves by former Sporting Kansas City and Greenville Triumph veteran Dave Grezcek to keep the game at 2-1.  

Former Rutgers-Newark star Stefano Muniz set up FC Motown veteran Michael Bello in the 78th minute, while San Diego State University star Julian Anderson scored a goal of his own in the 83rd minute.  

FC Motown emerged with a massive 3-2 win and three more points in the standings.  The club now hits the road on Saturday, July 1st as they take on Atlantic City FC at Stockton University. 

Photo Credit: Irish Maliborski