The question is often asked, is there a real Central New Jersey? Well, at least for soccer there will be starting in May of next year, 2021. A new pre-professional soccer club that is forming in Mercer County has taken to using Real Central New Jersey Soccer for its temporary name.
Mercer U23 Soccer LLC plans to solicit input from local soccer fans and early club supporters as it develops a brand — including its name, team colors, and logo. The club will have both women’s and men’s teams participating in national leagues playing at the highest pre-professional level including USL League Two and the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
A question often asked of those involved in the early stages is “what is the club name.” The lack of a name is by design.
WE’RE VERY KEEN TO HAVE OUR EARLY SUPPORTERS HELP US DECIDE WHAT THE TEAM’S IDENTITY WILL BE.
“We’re very keen to have our early supporters help us decide what the team’s identity will be,” said Jeremy Ryan, the club’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our name, logo, and colors should all reflect the values and spirit of our region in and around Mercer County and just across the river in Pennsylvania.”
Ryan says the club will look for supporters’ feedback on a variety of items, “including fans’ participation in the naming of the team.” The club has taken cues from the recent launch of several highly successful lower-division soccer teams, including USL League One’s Forward Madison (Wisconsin) and potential competitor Lionsbridge FC (Virginia) which plays in USL League Two.
“We’re going to leverage what’s worked well for these clubs and adapt it for Central New Jersey,” Ryan says. “In fact, the proposed league has been very helpful providing early support and getting us in touch with others who have successfully launched and managed community-focused teams.”
For now, the club is going by “Real Central New Jersey Soccer” until a final name is chosen.