UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The Long Island Rough Riders suffered their first defeat of the USL League Two season, dropping a 3-1 decision to FC Motown at Mitchel Athletic Complex on a windy Sunday night.
In a battle between the top two Metropolitan Division teams from the 2024 season, the champion Rough Riders (10 points) dropped to 3-1-1 and second-place FC Motown STA (10) improved to 3-0-1.
Both teams were in an attacking mode in the first half as they entered the locker room with a 1-1 tie, although FC Motown produced more chances.
Forward Jack Stainrod lifted the Rough Riders into a 17th-minute lead, heading home a Jakob Friedman corner kick from six yards into the lower right corner past goalkeeper Alan Rutkowski. It was the fifth consecutive game that the English native had found the net and the first time FC Motown had trailed this season.
Two minutes later, Long Island keeper Ethan Wood ensured Long Island kept the lead by denying Daniel Ittycheria from point-blank range on the left side of the box.
Wood, however, could not stop Micaah Garnette in the 24th minute as he volleyed home a left-wing cross from close range while falling to his left side, to knot things up at 1-1.
Playing with the wind at their backs, the visitors came out in the second half and forced the issue, keeping possession and pressure while taking several shots that wound up off target.
In the 61st minute, midfielder Noah Levy solved the defense and Wood, drilling a rebound past the goalkeeper to lift FC Motown into a 2-1 lead. It also was the first time Long Island found itself trailing in a match this campaign.
FC Motown extended its advantage in the 66th minute after second-half substitute Andrew Armstrong was fouled in the area. Garnette took the penalty, firing it into the lower right corner as Wood dove in the opposite direction for his second tally of the night.
The Rough Riders pushed up for the final 20 minutes and came close to grabbing back a goal, but forward Robert Lovelace’s shot was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick in the 73rd minute.
FC Motown, however, held off all late challenges. Rutkowski swatted away captain Justin McLean’s right-wing cross in stoppage time, and held on for the win.
The Rough Riders will hit the road for their next two games. They will visit New Jersey Copa FC on Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. and then Morris Elite SC on Saturday, June 14 at 6 p.m. The team returns home to take on New Jersey Copa on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m.