Hinchliffe will be home to 2 professional soccer teams
By: Joe Malinconico
Paterson Press
PATERSON - Two professional soccer teams will be playing their home games at Hinchliffe Stadium, with a men's squad starting in 2026 and a women's club in 2027, officials announced Friday. [02/14/2025]
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The franchises in the United Soccer League will be operated by a sports group led by the developer who rebuilt Hinchliffe, Baye Adofo-Wilson.
..... Adofo-Wilson is teaming up with Erik Stover, who previously held management positions with the New York Red Bulls and the Defunct New York Cosmos.
..... The Paterson Restoration Corporation, a quasi-private entity, agreed on February 5 [2025] to provide North Jersey Pro Soccer - the newly created organization that will run the two Paterson teams - with $2.5 million in start-up funding, officials said.
..... "This initiative aligns with our mission to drive economic growth, create job opportunities and enhance the quality of life for Paterson residents," said the corporation's chairman, Orlando Cruz. "Brining professional men;s and women's soccer to our city will not only celebrate our devise and passionate community, but also inspire the next generation of athletes."
..... The franchises need about $15 million for their inaugural seasons, Adofo-Wilson said. He and Cruz said the rest of the teas' financial backing is in the process of taking shape and should be finalized in weeks.
..... "Soccer is the most popular support in the world, and it is gaining momentum in Paterson,: said mayor Andre Sayegh. "That's why I am elated that Hinchliffe Stadium will be the home for not one but two professional football teams. this is a big win for our stadium and our city."
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USL is widely consider the United States' second-tier soccer league, behind Major League Soccer, which includes the Red Bulls who play their home games in Harrison.
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Hinchiffe - a national landmark - reopened in May 2023, after being closed for mere than 25 years. Adofo-Wilson oversaw a $110 million project that included repairing the long-neglected stadium and building a 300-space parking garage, a senior citizen apartment building and a small museum.
..... The stadium is owned by the Paterson Board of Education, with a lease that gives the city's school district first choose of 180 days per year for holding events at Hinchliffe. School Board President Eddie Gonzalez did not responded when asked in a text message about the plans for the soccer teams.
..... Long-serving school board member Kenneth Simmons said the addition of the pro soccer teems could be a boost for Paterson as long as their arrival doesn't affect the district's access to the stadium.
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"The reality is, soccer is big here in Paterson," Simmons said.
..... the New Jersey Jackals minor league baseball team has played its home games at Hinchliffe the past two summer, while the Jersey Sore Wave, a women's football franchise, will begin playing at the historic stadium in April.