Newark Ironbound Express
Encyclopedia
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Prior to the 2011 season the team was known as Newark Ironbound Express.
The team plays its home games at Lubetkin Field on the campus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
, where they have played since 2008. The team's colors are white and burgundy.
The team also fields a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
Super-20 League
The United Soccer Leagues Super-20 League is an American-Canadian soccer league for players 17 to 20 years of age. Introduced in 2006 it took the place of the U-19 age bracket in the Super Y-League....
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
umbrella.
History
Newark Ironbound Express entered the PDL having enjoyed a great deal of success at a junior level with their Ironbound SC club, which was a major force in the USL Super-Y League for several years. The senior Express team began life in the PDL with a bang with a 4-1 opening day victory over fellow expansion team New Jersey RangersNew Jersey Rangers
New Jersey Rangers is an American soccer team based in Denville, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games in...
that featured a brace from former New York Red Bull and current Haitian international
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
Jerrod Laventure
Jerrod Laventure
Jerrod Laventure is an American-born Haitian footballer currently playing for Jersey Express in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
. Ironbound were consistent all year long, enjoying several impressive victories over much more established sides, notably a 3-0 over Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference....
in early June (in which Ted Niziolek scored a hat trick), a 4-0 win on the road against Ocean City Barons
Ocean City Barons
Ocean City Nor'easters is an American soccer team based in Ocean City, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
(which featured a Laventure hat-trick), a dominant 3-1 win over 2007's unbeatable Hampton Roads Piranhas, and a battling 4-2 triumph over Virginia Legacy. By the time the final weekend rolled around, they were still in with a shot at a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs: they enjoyed overpowering 6-2 demolition of Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
, in which Chris Karcz netted three times, and were fortunate to make the playoffs ahead of Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference....
, who had an exactly equal record, but lost out on head-to-head results. Unfortunately, Ironbound's trip to the playoff was a short one as they fell 4-2 first time out to eventual Conference champions Reading Rage
Reading Rage
Reading United A.C. is an American soccer team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
, but for a young side in their debut season there was much to applaud. Chris Karcz and Jerrod Laventure
Jerrod Laventure
Jerrod Laventure is an American-born Haitian footballer currently playing for Jersey Express in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
were monsters in front of goal, scoring 10 and 9 goals respectively.
The team formally rebranded as Jersey Express on January 6, 2011.
Current roster
As of June 8, 2011.Notable former players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.Frank Alesci
Frank Alesci
Frank Alesci is an American soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and amateur:...
Gary Boughton
Gary Boughton
Gary Boughton is an American soccer player currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-College and amateur:Boughton played college soccer at Medaille College...
Tomer Chencinski
Tomer Chencinski
Tomer Chencinski is an Israeli-born Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Vaasan Palloseura in the Finnish Premier Division Veikkausliiga.-College:...
Dilly Duka
Dilly Duka
Dilaver "Dilly" Duka is an American soccer player of Albanian descent currently playing for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
Neal Kitson
Neal Kitson
Neal Kitson is an American soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:Kitson attended Benjamin N...
Gordon Kljestan
Gordon Kljestan
Gordon Kljestan is a retired American soccer player.-College and Amateur:Kljestan played one year of college soccer for Cal State Fullerton, prior to transferring to Seton Hall University where he played from 2004 to 2006...
Aviv Volnerman
Aviv Volnerman
Aviv Volnerman is an Israeli soccer player currently playing for Newark Ironbound Express in the USL Premier Development League.-Club:Volnerman made his league debut in a match against Maccabi Jaffa. After not receiving much playing time at Maccabi Netanya, Volnerman left the club to join Liga...
David Topolski
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Northeast | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid Atlantic | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Mid Atlantic | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
Stadia
- Lubetkin Field at New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
; Newark, New JerseyNewark, New JerseyNewark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
(2008-present) - Stadium at Holmdel High SchoolHolmdel High SchoolHolmdel High School is a comprehensive community four-year public high school located in Holmdel Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, operating as the only high school in the Holmdel Township Public Schools...
; Holmdel Township, New JerseyHolmdel Township, New JerseyHolmdel Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,773. Holmdel Township was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1857, from portions of Raritan Township .Holmdel is a suburb of...
1 game (2010) - Stadium at Raritan High SchoolRaritan High SchoolRaritan High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving Hazlet Township, New Jersey, operating as part of the Hazlet Township Public Schools...
; Hazlet, New JerseyHazlet, New JerseyHazlet Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 20,334....
2 games (2011)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2008: 328
- 2009: 219
- 2010: 378