FC Motown STA is excited to announce the roster for the 2024 USL League Two season.
Some familiar faces are featured on this year’s squad, including Jason Bourgey from Rutgers University and Micaah Garnette from the University of Portland. Bourgey and Garnette were the leading goal scorers of the returning members from FC Motown’s 2023 team.
Coming off an Ivy League regular season championship at the University of Pennsylvania, the club welcomes back Joaquin Niehenke. Nico Nee is also returning for another season with the club and received Second Team All-Ivy Honors in the 2023 season at Princeton University. Nee was also recognized as a part of the 2023 CSC Academic All-District team.
Other returners include Max Jennings from Georgetown University, Bryce LeBel from Louisville University, Ryan Friedberg from Cornell University, Lucas Ross from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Gabe Ruitenberg from William and Mary, Elijah Hope from the University of Connecticut and Justing Aguirre-Rosas from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“I am super excited,” head coach Tom Shields said. “With the successes of a number of our alumni acting as an inspiration, having signed pro terms with teams in the MLS, Next Pro, and USL, I can’t wait to see what this year’s crop can produce. We have brought back a number of key guys from last year and added to them with some local, domestic, and international flair. Guys that are coming off of excellent individual seasons last fall in college and many that have experience in League 2. A high character, high quality, and hungry group that I know will represent themselves and our program incredibly.”
After a successful sophomore campaign at Princeton University, Daniel Ittycheria joins FC Motown STA for his first season. In 2023, Ittycheria was the Tigers’ leading goal scorer, the second-highest goal scorer in the Ivy League, earned First Team All-Ivy Honors, and was awarded Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week.
From the University of Vermont, the club welcomes newcomers Zach Barrett and Max Murray. Barrett was named to the America East All-Conference First Team in the 2023 fall season.
Eli Conway is another new addition to the roster from the University of Connecticut. In the fall season, Conway scored the game-winning goal to send the Huskies to the Big East Semifinals over St. Johns.
Other new additions to the team include Alfie Hughes from Boston College, Patrick O’Toole from the University of Michigan, Ryan Vaubel from West Virginia University, Nick Collins from Rutgers University and Noah Levy from Lehigh University.
“As ever, I am looking forward to the competition in what must be considered the toughest conference in the country. The numbers don’t lie with the amount of MLS Draft selections last year and I expect this year to be no different,” Shields said. “I am looking forward to seeing the boys unite to adopt our shared identity as we head back into battle with some of League 2’s fiercest competitors. There’s local and Tri-State pride at stake, and I am excited for another summer filled with opportunity to inspire the next generation across our community.”
FC Motown STA starts its 2024 campaign on Saturday, May 25th when the club hosts the Long Island Rough Riders at Drew University with a 7:30 pm kickoff. You can purchase game tickets ahead of time online or at the gate.
