PREVIEW: FC Monmouth vs Excelsior SC

Written by Chris Dailey

After a three-game stretch on the road, the FC Monmouth men’s team return home to Count Basie Park this Saturday for a big TLFC match against Excelsior NY Soccer Club. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm. 

Following its 7-0 thrashing of Kensington Soccer Club at home to open the season on May 9th, the Blue and Gold have continued to play excellent throughout the road stretch. They scored a touchdown of goals yet again in its 7-2 beatdown of First State FC before dropping to Atlantic City FC 3-0 on May 21st. Atlantic City took full advantage of an FC Monmouth team that came out uncharacteristically flat. However, the Blue and Gold got back on track at the end of the month with a 4-1 road win over Kensington.

Then, this past Wednesday, FC Monmouth recorded a much-needed 3-2 over SUSA FC Long Island. Jake Homowitz’s free kick goal ended up being the decider, while Davide Caputo and Lenny Aviles provided the others.

Throughout this slate of road games, Pat Shaw has been particularly impressive according to FC Monmouth’s director of soccer operations, Charlie Schirmer. He also noted that rising Columbia sophomore and Holmdel native Stepan Kapranov has been “excellent.” 

But, Schirmer knows as well as anyone that Saturday’s game will be perhaps the toughest test of the year. Excelsior’s co-founder Giuseppe Barone, who played professionally in Europe and for the New York Cosmos, is the team's captain. Much of their squad is made up of top-level college talents from the Jamaica Bay area, with many having come through the highly touted BW Gotschee MLS Next system. 

In an interview, Barone noted that Excelsior was founded to be a club that combined top level soccer and community – much like the roots FC Monmouth were formed by. Saturday marks the first game between the two teams.

Excelsior currently sit atop of the Northeast Conference’s north division on 7 points through 3 games. FC Monmouth are positioned first place in the South Division with 9 points through 4 games – although Atlantic City are on 6 points with 2 games in hand. 

For FC Monmouth to obtain a much needed three points in a non division matchup, they’ll have to rely on Schrirmer’s aforementioned star performers in Shaw and Kapranov. However, like any game, it’ll take a team effort. Winger Jack Guerin stepped up big time early in the year, providing three goals. Meanwhile, Caputo is the club’s all-time assist record holder for good reason. His superb vision has won FC Monmouth many games in the past, and there is no doubt it will be on display in the future. 

Tickets for the highly anticipated match can be found at https://happsnow.com/event/fc-monmouth/mens-season-tickets-FCE5JG?embed=true&ctacolor=%2523e92224&lang=en-CA&rightSection=true 

To keep updated with all things FC Monmouth, follow the club on socials @wearemonmouth.