NEWARK, N.J. – “Unity is strength” is the motto for the 2010 Newark Ironbound Express PDL team. Under head coach George Vichniakov, the Express will open the season at home against West Virginia on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lubetkin Field on the campus of NJIT.

 

Leading the Express this season will be PDL veteran Jerrod Laventure, who led the team last season with nine goals for 21 points.  Looking to make an impact this season in goal will be Ryan Meara, who won six games last season as a member of the Long Island Rough Riders.  The Express is also happy to welcome Michael Konicoff, a former USL’s super-20 MVP.  The team will be comprised of many local collegiate athletes from New York and New Jersey, while taking some international flavor with the likes of Kaze Etiene, Hans Kiel Pierre and Renan Rodrigues.

 

This season team will feature some new faces including a new general manager in Gali Maimon. Maimon is an 11 year veteran of the PDL circuit and is looking to get the Express back into the playoffs and compete in the squads first Lamar Hunt Open Cup.

 

Last season the Express finished 6-8-2 and failed to qualify for the Northeast Division playoffs.  This season the Express have moved into the Mid Atlantic Division and are looking for success, but will have to face the likes of Reading FC, Bermuda and Carolina for division supremacy.

 

Fans that can’t attend Saturday’s contest can follow the game live on their computers with Match Tracker.  For the fans planning on attending the contest, tickets are $10 and the Express do offer family discounts and packages.

 

The Express will head on the road for their next two contests against Central Jersey on May 12 and then on May 15 against New Jersey.  The Express will play six more games at Lubetkin Field and one special game in Holmdel, N.J.  on June 3.