2008 - NJ Ironmen

2008...team signed photo...

After playing their inaugural season in the MISL, the NJ Ironmen joined the Xtreme Soccer League (XSL) finishing the season in 2nd place. The XSL operated only in 2008, suspending operations July 2009...The teams which moved from the MISL to the XSL were the NJ Ironmen, Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition and the Milwaukee Wave...

The Ironmen played their games in the Newark Prudential Center..Their game program cover features the Ironmen dancers with mascots from the Ironmen - Metro (the former Metrostars mascot)NY Titans - Mr. Titan (lacrosse), NJ Devils - Jersey Devil (hockey) Jersey Jackals - Jack, Camden Riversharks - Finley, Somerset Patriots -Sparky (baseball) and Socceroo the Philadelphia Kixx Mascot. I don't know why the Kixx are featured unless the photo is from the 2007 season when the Ironmen played against the Kixx in the MISL. Even then why would the feature an opponent? Of the mascots shown only the NJ Devils share the Prudential Center with the Ironmen.

2007 - NJ Ironmen

2007.12.01 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Inaugural game of the New Jersey Ironmen v Detroit Ignition...

The local draw to the game was the addition of Tony Meola, in goal for the Ironmen. Daniel Antoniuk connect for a hat-trick in the inaugural game victory for the Ironmen over the Ignition 8-6.

Pele was named honorary captain for the opening game...the game program had this, written by John Archibald..barely 30 years after playing that last game at the Meadowlands, Pele has returned to the Garden State. The man known as the greatest soccer legend of all-time will soon carry us into the next generation of New Jersey sports, just as he was carried around Giants Stadium that rainy day in 1977. while the rooftop of Prudential Center may prevent the sky from dropping tears of joy upon our heads, there will undoubtedly be a need for tissues when the legend of Pele is in our presence. the roof may block the night sky, but that's alright. The brightest star in the sky will be right in front of our eyes.

The field was packed with children lined up around the center circle. Pele walked onto the field into the center of the circle for the first kick and presentations. then the children, who never saw Pele play converged on the man. He touched them on the head, shook their hands and smiled. Drawn like a magnet the children would not leave the field. Announcement were made and the mass of children moved with Pele like a game of magnet ball.

When the field finally cleared, and Pele had departed, we waited for the game to start. The players did not take the field. We waited, an announcement was made that the players will soon take the field and start the game. We later learned that the players were still in the locker room getting autographs and shaking hands with Pele, meeting their hero just as the children on the field had done...