NPSL: FC Motown and Miami FC 2 move into championship game
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jul 29, 2018
FC Motown, which began as a co-ed team in New Jersey eight years ago, beat FCM
Portland, 2-1, in overtime to move into the final it will host at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
Miami FC 2, which has a nucleus of players from 2017 NASL spring and fall
champion Miami FC, ended Duluth FC's season with a 3-0 win at St. Thomas University.
Sub David Nigro scored on a header in the 120th minute to give FC Motown the victory
before more than 500 fans at Drew. Former MLS player Dilly Duka gave FC Motown the lead in the 55th minute but FCM Portland responded with a goal from Nick Evans eight minutes later.
Midfielder Ariel Martinez scored on a penalty kick in the 35th minute, but Miami FC didn't put away Duluth FC until the last 15 minutes of the second half when Sean McFarlane
and Jeff Michaud scored.
Miami FC 2 started three 2017 NASL Best XI picks -- Daniel Vega, Mason Trafford and Dylan Mares -- and would have had more goals but
for Jan Hoffelner, who was spectacular in the Duluth FC goal with 10 saves. The German will play at Presbyterian in 2018 after attending JC power Iowa Western as a freshman.
