Boston City FC has released head coach Michael Bustamante.

“We thank Michael for his efforts to lead Boston City during this transitional season and wish him well for the future,” said Managing Director Craig Tornberg. “Our team has not achieved the kind of performances that we have expected to see from Boston City, and we have been informed by U.S. Soccer that Michael must serve a six-month suspension for his red card offense. This makes his ability to effect change near impossible, so with these issues in mind, we felt the time is right to begin the process to rebuild and create the team we promised from day one to present to our fans. We have begun the search for a permanent head coach.”

Bustamante was shown a red card in 85th minute of the Lions’ home loss to the Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds on May 26 and received a six-match with an additional six-month suspension. With six matches remaining in the regular season, Bustamante, who had guided Boston City to a 1-5-2 record in his first campaign, is unable to coach the team from the sidelines.

Bustamante’s tenure as the second coach in club history began with a 3-3 draw away to Hartford City, before defeats to Hartford City, New York Cosmos, Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds and the Brooklyn Italians, a draw against New York Athletic Club and a win over Greater Lowell. Having played for the Lions in 2016, when he was an All-NPSL selection, Bustamante returned to the midfield three matches into the 2019 campaign and has a career total of 1,818 minutes played and 6 goals scored.

Assistant coaches Cesar Deossa, who coaches the club’s development team in the Bay State Soccer League, and Roberto Mazzinghy, who has coached with the Lions since the inaugural 2016 season, will take charge of the first team for the rest of the season.

Boston City FC faces the Rhode Island Reds in Johnston, RI, tonight, Friday at 7pm and returns to Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere on Sunday, kickoff 6pm, with the Reds again the opponents.

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