International soccer has become an annual tradition for the Newark Ironbound Express, a United Soccer League franchise that competes in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the Premier Development League. Following the final of three games from July 5 to 15, competing against three Russian teams in which it posted a 1-0-2 record, Clifton's Teddy Niziolek received a plaque as the MVP of the final contest. It was advertised as the "Battle of Russia and the USA" that was played in Podolska, the birth place of Russian soccer.In its inaugural 2008 campaign, the team journeyed to Portugal for 10 days, posting a 2-2 record against local Portuguese teams.

Opening this year's international tour on Tuesday (July 7), the Express battled Moscow's Sports Academia, to a 2-2 draw. The venue was the Division 2 pro league team's facility that was embellished with historic artifacts from the World War II-era. Edison Bilbao and Niziolek deposited goals in the Moscow's squad cage in a contest that began with an exchange of traditional Russian gift sacks that included a mascot of the school.

On Saturday (July 11), Bilbao netted his second goal of the trip while Michael Diop and Tiquenho also scored in a 3-1 victory over Saturn at the Premier League's team complex.

In the game played the following day that was played in Podolska that included a police-led motorcade to the stadium. Patrick Figuerido rallied the Express to a 1-1 draw against Vityaz in front of a crowd of 3000 spectators that participated in the Vityaz club's 100th anniversry celebration