Duka Double Takes out PDL Bulls

It was a comfortable evening on the campus of Drew University as a local from the area not only helped defeat the pro sides Under 23 team, but put his club into the next round of the 2018 US Open Cup. A brace by Dilly Duka put FC Motown into the second round of the US Open Cup where they will host USL’s Penn FC back at Ranger Stadium.

After going down a goal early in the first half Duka found a way to score twice within a ten minute span to get the victory. In the 34th minute Duka was able to equalize as he was inside the PDL Bulls area and went inside the back post past keeper Rashi Nuhu.

Then he did it again in the 44th minute as Duka took a long shot from inside the top of the area and beat Nuhu. The experienced Duka who has played in many US Open Cup matches with the Columbus Crew, being in a CONCACAF Champions League Final in front of over 100,000 Club America supporters at the famed Estadio Azteca.

“Dilly is like a Designated Player for us. When he wants to change the game...he will. Last night maybe didn’t start the way he wanted as it was a bit slow in the middle then [he] moved outside to isolate himself from the pack” said Sacir Hot.

“We witnessed why he was an MLS player for so long. He decides games for us and his two goals last night lifted us out of a grave. He’s a real impact player for us and will be counted on in the NPSL season.”

Both sides tried to continue their attacking runs, but for FC Motown of Morristown, NJ they were able to maintain to keep their defensive efforts on a positive, as they made sure that the future of the Red Bulls wouldn’t get a taste of their first victory of the season.

What did head coach Sacir Hot feel about the performance? ““It was a real tough job against a very good opponent. The game wasn’t aesthetic for the fans...ugly, boring but we got the win. Think we started off way too slow which resulted in conceded the first goal.” said Hot.

“As the game progressed and settled we got better and more comfortable going forward. Wouldn’t say it’s the best game we ever played but I rather play bad and win rather than play beautiful and lose. New York is a very good team with a lot of talent that has come through their academy.”

The positive moment for the PDL Bulls was scoring the first goal of the match as Brian Sarmango converted along the near side and shot that ball across the face of goal and it splashed the inside of the back post.

But for the former Red Bulls Academy prospect with his first win of the 2018 season that comes from the US Open Cup, it must’ve been a special moment for him to celebrate it, but it sounds like he is holding back that feeling.

“I’m not as happy with the win as I would be against any other given opponent. I think the Red Bulls put out a great team of young players that really stepped up in a men’s game. I have mixed emotions right now because they deserve a lot of credit and could have potentially won the game last night. They are a well-coached side that is going to do very well in the PDL this year, I have no doubt about that.” said Hot.

But Motown will be with out Walter Calderon in the second round as he earned a straight red card in the 85th minute and their next task is the former Harrisburg City Islanders as they have been re-named Penn FC as they are no strangers to performing in the US Open Cup.