Atlantic City FC opened the 2021 NISA Independent Cup tournament Saturday night at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, with a 2-1 loss to Allentown United FC, a member of the United Premier Soccer League. Atlantic City FC played with a different roster for this tournament, not the roster of the NPSL.
A miscommunication midway in the 22nd minute resulted in an own goal that put Allentown United FC up 1-0. Pepe Avila Hermosillo redirected the shot from Lewis Fairley that extended Allentown United FC’s lead 2-0 in the 50th minute.
Atlantic City FC cut Allentown United FC’s lead 2-1 in the 82nd minute when Celidor Davidson snuck one past the goalkeeper for the goal. An Aces player was taken down in the 18-yard box which resulted in a penalty kick. Yushi Nagao missed the shot that hit the upper left post, keeping the game 2-1 for Allentown United FC.
Atlantic City FC could not generate any momentum the rest of the way and fell to Allentown United FC 2-1. Atlantic City FC’s next NISA game is next Sunday, July 18th, versus Steel Pulse FC.
Two days before the second NISA game, the Aces will play FC Motown in the NPSL Keystone Conference semifinals on Friday, July 16th, from Silver Eagle Stadium.
