Late Friday night, the US Open Cup Adjudication & Discipline Panel ruled against FC Motown’s protest after the New Jersey team lost 2-1 in extra time to Manhattan SC in the First Round of the US Open Cup. Manhattan will now play Flower City Union (Rochester, NY) in the Second Round on Tuesday, April 4.
Representatives for Motown and Manhattan were contacted by Hudson River Blue for comment. Neither were available prior to publication.
As reported yesterday, the field dimensions and facilities at Marillac Field on the campus of the College of Mt Saint Vincent in the Bronx do not meet the requirements of the US Open Cup. Motown was asked if they wanted to accept a 1-0 win by forfeit prior to the game. In their complaint, Motown argued that the decision should have been made by the match commissioner, per US Open Cup rules, and not put on the owners and administrators of the club just 30 minutes before kickoff. Motown assert that they were forced to consider the matter on the sideline, where they could be overheard by Manhattan and the spectators who came to watch the game, and that in turn pressured the club to refuse the forfeit win.
You can read all about the protest here.
The panel ruled against Motown, saying the FC Motown owner’s decision to play the game was final. The 2-1 upset win will stand, and Manhattan will go on to play the third-division Rochester side.
Motown will be off from competition for two months until the start of their seasons. The team will open their National Premier Soccer League season on Saturday, May 13, on the road against FC Monmouth. A few days later the organization will host its USL League Two season opener in a derby match against Morris Elite SC.
Motown will return to Marillac Field on Thursday, May 25, when they play Manhattan in a regular season USL League Two match. MSC will host their own regular season home opener at Marillac on Sunday, May 21, against Cedar Stars Rush (Teaneck, New Jersey).
