Review: CSL players' season in the NPSL

CSL players showed what they're made of at a higher division.

F.C Motown players, fans and coaches posing for a picture with the Northeast Region trophy. F.C Motown Images.

Instead of resting, icing and catching up with their girlfriends during the off-season some CSL players competed in a higher division in the U.S soccer pyramid, the NPSL (fourth division). It was only about 48 of them in the 98 teams of the NPSL but it wasn't hard to hear when they kicked the ball.

The club that had the most CSLers, F.C Motown--10 of their starters are CSL players--reached the national final. Cedar Stars Academy and Motown midfielder Matthew Nigro won the NPSL Ballon D’or while two of his teammates, Dilly Duka and Hani Nasr made the Northeast All-Region Team.

As far as the league knows, five different NPSL clubs had CSLers: New York Athletic Club (13), Kingston Stockdale F.C (1), Brooklyn Italians(4), New Jersey Copa F.C (2) and F.C. Motown (26).

NYAC finished in sixth place in the North Atlantic Conference; Brooklyn Italians’ season was cut short in the North Atlantic Conference final after losing to New York Cosmos B in penalties; Stockdale ended their campaign in eighth spot in the same conference. 

Over in the Keystone Conference, Copa finished their season in fifth position; Motown topped the Keystone Conference and ground all the way to the national final but unfortunately lost to Miami F.C. 2,

3-1.

M. Nigro noted that Motown’s run to the final is a testament to the quality of the CSL.

“It’s funny actually we [me and my Motown teammates] play against each other in the Garden State League and together for the CSL,” the midfielder said. “It just goes to show the quality in these leagues and how they can perform on the national stage.”

F.C. Motown and Cedar Stars Academy midfielder Matthew Nigro.

M. Nigro went on to explaining that the experience the CSA players gained in their path to the NPSL final will benefit them in the upcoming CSL season.

“I think we showed maturity to win games and perform at a higher level,” the 26-year-old said. “Definitely something that can help us win on the big stage for next season.”

Although he only found the net twice in the past CSL season, M. Nigro was the best CSL scorer in the NPSL, racking seven goals. He also registered 12 assists, which earned him the NPSL Ballon D’or.

“I got forward a bit more to score some more goals in the NPSL,” the Jersey native said about the difference between his past CSL and NPSL season, “but did my best to create chances in both leagues. I think my ability to open the game and bring players into the game helped in both leagues.”

As mentioned, M. Nigro’s Cedar Stars teammates Hani Nasr and Dilly Duka made the Northeast All-Region team. Duka is the joint top CSL scorer in the NPSL alongside M. Nigro, tallying seven goals, including one in the final. Kene Eze, 2017-18 CSL top scorer Christopher Katona and Mike Olla were the third top scorers, registering five goals each.

If you were to ask the CSL/Motown players for their best memory from the past NPSL season, the number one answer you'd probably get is their famous win over the historical New York Cosmos' second team in the Northeast Region final.

The Celtics opened the scoresheet with three straight goals in a little over 20 minutes in the middle of the second half, thanks to CSlers Walter Calderon (53rd minute), Katona (61st minute) and Duka (77th minute). The Cosmos struck back with two goals but ran out of time. Hence with an hardfought 3-2 win, the "CSL All-Stars" crowned their prestigious season with the NPSL Northeast Region title.

"It was in their stadium and the way we did it, it took some courage," M. Nigro said. "We battled for 90 minutes. It felt great winning the region."

Aforementioned Motown didn't go on to win the whole league as they fell to Miami in the final but this past campaign was without a doubt the CSL's most successful season in the NPSL.

*You can also find this article in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League's website.