The Nor’easters continue their PDL campaign on Saturday with a trip to Newark to take on Jersey Express.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Ocean City, NJ - Founded in 2007 as the Newark Ironbound Express, the club rebranded in 2011 as the Jersey Express. The Express play all home matches at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. The team’s colors are green, yellow, and white. The Express’ best season came in their inaugural campaign, in which they lost in the first round of the PDL Eastern Conference Playoffs to eventual conference champion Reading Rage. The Ironbound Express notched a notable 4-0 victory on the road in Ocean City against the Barons during that 2007 season. Jersey Express finished in 2^nd place in the Mid-Atlantic Division in 2008 and 2010.

Despite being one of the youngest franchises in the Mid-Atlantic division, Jersey Express boast a 6-4-3 all-time record against the Nor’easters. Express have a handful of notable alumni who have had success at the professional level with Major League Soccer teams. Tomer Chencinski has seen time for Toronto FC, Dilly Duka played for the Columbus Crew from 2010-2012 and the Chicago Fire last season, Ryan Meara was with New York Red Bulls in 2012, and Gordon Klejestan played for the LA Galaxy in 2007 and the Red Bulls in 2008.

JP Correa, playing for the Nor'easters against the Philadelphia Union, in the 3rd Round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

The Nor’easters have yet to face the 5-0-2 Express this season, but will look to improve on their 3-1 home loss last Saturday against the Long Island Rough Riders, after a full week to iron out the kinks, and add another road win to their 2-1-1 PDL record. There are several notable players on the Express’ 2014 season roster including a former Nor’easter from the 2013 Eastern Conference Championship team, JP Correa (18), who has netted one goal in 182 minutes for Jersey this season. Five Express teammates were drafted, but not signed to professional contracts, by MLS teams. Kene Eze (17), an Express striker, was drafted by Toronto FC this year. Defender Walter Hines (2) was drafted by FC Dallas in 2012 and has notched a goal and two assists for Jersey Express this season. Hakan Ilhan (9), drafted to the Montreal Impact in 2013, has not registered a point in only 7 minutes of action this season. Another Ocean City alum, Chris Karcz (8) was drafted by the Chicago Fire in 2005, has played every minute for Jersey Express this season, and is the team’s leading point-getter with 4 goals and 2 assists.  Midfielder Brayan Martinez (10), another former FC Dallas prospect, was drafted by the MLS side in 2011 but has yet to make a splash with the Express this season, failing to contribute a point in just 112 minutes of action. Forward Ansger Otto (12) played in Japan last season for the J-League’s third division club, Gainace Tottori, and has three goals and one assist for Express in just 201 minutes this season.

The match kicks-off at 7:00pm at NJIT Stadium.