With deep community roots, a historic stadium, and a bold mission to redefine American soccer from the ground up, North Jersey Pro Soccer is setting the stage for something bigger than sports. Ahead of the team’s inaugural season in 2026, New Jersey Urban News sat down with co-founder and CEO Erik Stover to discuss the team’s origin, vision, and commitment to making a meaningful impact on and off the field.
A Vision Rooted in Paterson’s Future
The story of North Jersey Pro Soccer began more than four years ago, sparked by efforts to preserve Paterson’s historic Hinchliffe Stadium. Paterson native Baye Adofo-Wilson, Owner of North Jersey Pro Soccer and Co-Developer/Owner of Hinchliffe Stadium, recognized that soccer — not just any sport — was the best fit for the city’s changing demographics and long-term growth. That vision led him to connect with Stover, whose background in professional soccer helped bring the idea to life.
“Soccer just made sense for this region,” Stover said. “With Baye’s community work and my experience in the sport, we realized we could build more than just a team — we could create a platform for pride, development, and opportunity.”
Reflecting North Jersey’s Diversity
For Stover, building a club that reflects the diversity of North Jersey is about more than representation — it’s about meaningful inclusion.
“It’s not just about race or ethnicity,” he said. “It’s also about diversity of thought, experience, and culture. Soccer is a global game, and we want that global energy to be embedded into everything we do.”
That commitment is reflected across the club’s leadership and investor group, which includes African American principal owners, women of color, and Clifton native Giuseppe Rossi, a former international star.
Hinchliffe Stadium: History Meets the Future
The team’s home, Hinchliffe Stadium, is a symbol of both cultural legacy and future promise. Once a hub for Negro League baseball — and the place where Hall of Famer Larry Doby was discovered — the stadium has been restored and reimagined for a new era of sports in Paterson.
“There’s no other stadium like this in the New York metro area,” Stover said. “It’s the perfect size, about 8,000 seats, and it brings us closer to the community in a way that massive stadiums just can’t.”
He emphasized the importance of honoring the site’s history.
“There’s already a museum, and the New Jersey Jackals honor that legacy,” he said. “On our side, soccer in the U.S. has a different kind of history — one that wasn’t segregated in the same way as other sports during the Jim Crow era. That contrast, alongside the legacy of Negro League Baseball, tells a powerful story.”
Elevating Local Talent
One of the club’s core goals is to identify and develop soccer talent from North Jersey, especially players who might otherwise be overlooked.
“There’s so much untapped talent in this region,” Stover said. “But so many kids don’t have access to fields, training, or professional teams. We want to change that.”
Stover said the team aims to sign at least 10 players from North Jersey for its first season roster of 24. But talent development isn’t limited to the pitch — the club also plans to offer young people opportunities in sports operations, digital production, and game-day logistics.
“If you’re from this community, you should be able to find a path here — whether that’s as a player, coach, or part of our production team,” he said.
Accessibility, Affordability, and Membership
To ensure everyone can be part of the game, North Jersey Pro Soccer is launching a flexible and affordable membership program.
“We’re going to offer tickets as low as $10,” Stover said. “And for students in the Paterson school district, we’re working on access to $5 tickets. This is about creating inspiration and access, not just selling seats.”
The club hopes fans won’t just attend games, but will join the organization more deeply — through membership, volunteering, and community engagement.
A Grassroots Model for American Soccer
Looking beyond Paterson, Baye, and Stover sees the team as a potential model for how soccer clubs can operate across the United States, particularly as the United Soccer League moves toward introducing promotion and relegation.
“Real connection to the community is everything,” he said. “That means being involved in things that go way beyond soccer. And we’re committed to that, day in and day out.”
A Look Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
By 2026, the club expects to field its men’s team, followed by a women’s team in 2027. But the long-term vision goes further.
“In five years, we want to be more than just a soccer club,” Stover said. “We’ll have cricket, chess, track and field, and cultural programming. We’ll be involved in restoring parks, supporting local businesses, and creating jobs.”
The ultimate goal?
“Bringing pride back to Paterson,” he said. “And making this community feel seen, heard, and empowered.”
How to Get Involved
North Jersey Pro Soccer will introduce its mission during a press conference on Thursday, featuring remarks from local officials and club leadership. Community members can visit northjerseyprosoccer.com to become members — many programs are free — and explore ways to contribute, from coaching youth sports to joining match-day operations.
This isn’t just the launch of a team — it’s the beginning of a movement.
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