Former Academy player ready for PDL Bulls in Open Cup

The New York Red Bulls Academy has had a solid history of producing players and getting them ready to go for their senior side in MLS, but when one of them has had a good career as a head coach, sometimes you need to make those heads turn to see what he has done.

But the dream start is facing your former side in one of the most highly anticipated cup tournaments in US Soccer as the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will being their first round matches on Tuesday, May 8th thru Thursday, May 10th as FC Motown of the NPSL will host the PDL Bulls at Drew University in Madison, NJ

Former Academy player Sacir Hot is excited for the opportunity to face the Red Bulls U-23 squad in their first round match up and at the moment he is relishing the moment for himself and for FC Motown which represents Morristown, NJ.

“It’s a prestigious tournament and we would love to put a local club like Morristown on the map so I think the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup would be great for us.” said Sacir Hot, “Facing my former club is a win-win situation for me. Obviously I want my Motown team to win, but if you ask me if I do lose to any team it would be the Red Bulls.

Obviously I want to win this but at the end of day if we or they go through I will be happy with this.”

Last season FC Motown was in the US Open Cup as a pure amateur side and they did well in their first season competing as they took a first round victory from NJ Copa FC in extra time winning by a final of two goals to one as Daniel Guman scored the winner. Sadly they were taken out by the Rochester Rhinos in the second round.

But this time around Hot has a pair of former New York Red Bulls as he acquired Midfielder Dilly Duka and defender who originally retired to take a broadcast job during home games for the USL Bulls, but they got him to re-lace his boots as fullback Hunter Freeman joins this side.

“I think last year we were a little bit naïve, our players haven’t been at that level. This year with Dilly (Duka) and Hunter (Freeman) they bring so much experience to the table.” said Hot.

“Dilly played in front of over 100,000 people at the Azteca in the CONCACAF Champions League final with Montreal and Hunter played in the NASL Finals. To have them on the team to teach some of the guys to get by and survive in these types of games you need some experience players and these two know how to survive the knockout games.”

When Dilly Duka has played in the MLS either in Canada or the USA, there will always be those moments with the Crew in the US Open Cup and the Amway Championship in Canada with the Impact, it doesn’t matter where and what level you play in. Just as long as you get ready for those knockout cup competitions.

“Well in the Open Cup which is a one and done scenario you try to go with a game plan and throughout the game trying to adjust.” said Duka.

“But it’s going to be competitive when you are playing for an amateur team as we train once a week and we are going to perform with some players that play in the NCAA season. It’s going to be a fun competitive game with players that aren’t use to playing at a higher level.”

Now you can watch this match being streamed from US Soccer, or you can travel to Drew University and see them perform over at Ranger Stadium in Madison, NJ. These US Open Cup tournaments are always fun to watch and see who become the magical story of the tournament.

Game Time starts at 7PM