Ocean City FC players, coaches work with Italian giants Inter Milan in Philadelphia
During their tour of the U.S., Inter stopped in Philly for a training camp
From left to right: Ocean City FC director of PDL operations, Stephen Thurlby poses with Inter Milan and Brazilian National Team star Maicon; Inter Milan players in training; Ocean City FC PDL team captain John Fletcher poses for a photo with new Inter Milan manager Rafa Benitez.
It was soccer madness this summer in the United States with not only the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but several high-profile preseason exhibition matches that were played from coast to coast. Teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan all came to the U.S. to prepare for the upcoming 2010/11 club season in their respective countries.
Ocean City FC was able to be involved with one of those mega-clubs, as they continue to develop a relationship with Italian giant Inter Milan. The defending European and Italian champions came to the U.S. for three full exhibition games in Los Angeles, Dallas and Baltimore and some smaller training matches against other clubs.
O'Donnell's Observations: Is Liverpool really that bad? (EPL Round 3 recap)
by Paul O'Donnell
With all the doom and gloom about Liverpool after their worst loss at City for 50 plus years are they, or were they really that bad? Probably not actually. It was City's best display in years for sure but Liverpool really weren't the fodder that you'd think from the scoreline or what has been written about it either.
Young team hopes to build on difficult season and return to the league's elite next year
From left to right: Byron Carmichael (Off. MVP), Ryan Richter, Tunde Ogunbiyi, Giancarlo Granese, Kyle Miller | Photos: Bill Pellegrino
After arguably the greatest season in franchise history in 2009, there were high expectations for Premier Development League (PDL) soccer in Ocean City in 2010. Unfortunately, the Ocean City Nor’easters were unable to play up to those expectations and finished the campaign with their first-ever losing record as a member of the PDL.
Former Ocean City FC player JT Noone signs with Philadelphia Union
Harrisburg native spent 2010 season with City Islanders before moving up to Major League Soccer
On the left, JT Noone in a Harrisburg City Islanders uniform (Photo: PennLive.com), while on the right, he battles for the ball for Ocean City FC in last year’s US Open Cup third round match at DC United (Photo: Bill Pellegrino)
Another former Ocean City FC player has worked his way up to the pinnacle of club soccer in the United States. J.T. Noone, who played for the Nor’easters (then known as the Barons) during the 2009 season, has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.
Noone was a major factor in Ocean City’s greatest season ever last year as he lead the team to the quarterfinals of the PDL playoffs and helped them reach the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where they suffered a narrow loss to D.C. United of MLS. He was third on the team in scoring with three goals and three assists.
Ocean City FC captain John Fletcher named to 2010 PDL All-Conference team
Fletcher scored four goals as a defender, breaking the club's single-season record
For the second year in a row, the Ocean City Nor’easters have had a player named to the Premier Development League All-Conference Team. Team captain John Fletcher (Eckerd College / Uxbridge, England), a third-year defender, broke the club’s single-season scoring record for defenders with four, while also leading the team in minutes played and starting every match.
John Fletcher named MVP, Byron Carmichael and Kevin Curran are top offensive and defensive players
From left to right: Kevin Curran (Defensive MVP), John Fletcher (Team MVP), Byron Carmichael (Offensive MVP)
The Ocean City Nor’easters’ 2010 season has come to a close and they have unveiled their 2010 award winners. Defender John Fletcher has been selected as the team’s most valuable player, while leading scorer Byron Carmichael was named the top offensive player, and second-year defender Kevin Curran was tapped as the top defensive player.
The award-winners were voted on by the Ocean City FC coaching and front office staff.
The Ocean City Nor’easters closed out the 2010 Premier Development League season on a sour note, losing to the West Virginia Chaos 2-1 on Saturday night at Carey Stadium.
Kyle Miller, a member of the PDL Team of the Week, scored in the 33rd minute, but the defense gave up two goals in the final three minutes of the match to give Ocean City their first-ever losing season as a member of the PDL (OC joined the PDL in 2003).
In fact, by finishing with a 5-6-5 record, this is the first time since their inaugural season in 1997 that they have failed to win at least six games.
Holy Cross forward scored game-winner vs. Carolina to earn the team's fifth straight weekly award and Miller's second in three weeks
Kyle Miller attempts a diving header. Photo: Bill Pellegrino
For the fifth week in a row, an Ocean City Nor’easters player has been honored with a place on the Premier Development League Team of the Week list. This week, Kyle Miller (Holy Cross / Woodbury, NJ) was an honorable mention selection for the second time in three weeks.
Miller scored the game-winning goal against the Carolina Dynamo in the 84th minute which kept the Nor’easters’ hopes of a winning season alive. It was Miller’s third goal of the year, despite only playing in eight games in 2010.
The Ocean City Nor’easters got back to their winning ways on Saturday night with a 2-1 win over the Carolina Dynamo at Carey Stadium.
Byron Carmichael scored his team-leading fifth goal in the 13th minute only to have the Dynamo answer with an equalizer in the 34th minute. Kyle Miller scored the game-winner in the 84th minute on an assist to spoil the Dynamo’s first-ever trip to the Beach House.
Three recent high school graduates make their PDL debut Wednesday vs. Ironbound Express
Giovanni Tacconelli (right) battles for the ball against the Ironbound Express on Wednesday. Tacconelli started in his PDL debut and played 72 minutes. Photo: Bill Pellegrino
With the playoffs out of reach for the 2010 season, the Ocean City Nor’easters have added some young, exciting players to their roster as they look ahead to the future.
Four members of the Nor’easters’ Super-20 team have made the jump to the PDL team including, goalkeeper McKenzey Scott (Cape May, NJ), and a trio of talented midfielders, Giovanni Tacconelli (Mt. Laurel, NJ), MJ Nestor (Avalon, NJ), and Colin McFadden (Ventnor, NJ). All three outfield players made their PDL debuts on Wednesday, July 14 in Ocean City’s 3-0 loss to the Ironbound Express.
Nor'easters player lands on PDL Team of the Week for fourth straight week
Byron Carmichael, Kevin Strunk, Kyle Miller and John Fletcher all singled out among the 67-team PDL
From left to right: Kyle Miller, Kevin Strunk, John Fletcher. Photo: Bill Pellegrino
The United Soccer Leagues announced the Team of the Week for the Premier Development League for week ending, and for the fourth straight week, a member of the Ocean City Nor’easters was on the list.
For the week ending July 11, Ocean City FC John Fletcher (Eckherd College / Uxbridge, England) was an honorable mention selection among the 67 teams in the PDL.
The Ocean City Nor’easters dropped a 3-0 decision to the Ironbound Express on Wednesday night at Carey Stadium. The loss snapped a three-game unbeaten streak for the Nor’easters and also clinched a playoff spot for the Express.
Two former Ocean City FC players combined on the first two goals for the Express. Rob Youhill converted the first, and then assisted on Chris Karcz’ goal minutes later.
The Express broke through in the 32nd minute when Hemir Mebles sent in a cross which was buried by Youhill. Six minutes later, Youhill was involved again, assisting off a corner kick, as he set up Karcz for the second goal.
The Ocean City Nor’easters’ playoff hopes were dashed in the final seconds of their 1-1 draw with Reading United.
In a wet and sloppy night at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, the Nor’easters were in a must-win situation against their long-time rivals from Pennsylvania. Anything less than a win would eliminate them from playoff contention and after John Fletcher’s 64th minute goal, they appeared on their way to keeping hope alive.
The Ocean City Nor’easters came from behind to defeat the New Jersey Rangers 3-2 on Saturday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the first of five straight home matches to end the 2010 season, the Nor’easters erased a 1-0 halftime deficit with a pair of goals from Kyle Miller and another from John Fletcher to give Ocean City their second straight win over the Rangers.
The 2010 road schedule for the Ocean City Nor’easters has come to a close on a positive note with a 2-0 win against the New Jersey Rangers.
Max Hamilton scored the opening goal in the 56th minute and Terry Gibbs added a second in the 80th on an assist by William Swetra. Tunde Ogunbiyi earned the clean sheet for the Nor’easters, the first of the season for the team.
The game was played at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, Morris County.
Ocean City falls 1-0 to Central Jersey in Nor'easters' return to the Beach House
Three-game home unbeaten streak comes to an end
The Ocean City Nor’easters returned to Carey Stadium for the first time in over a month, but lost 1-0 to the Central Jersey Spartans. The loss snapped the club’s three-game home unbeaten streak and drops the team’s record to 2-4-4. After Saturday’s action, Ocean City finds themselves 12 points short of the last playoff spot, with six games to play.
Ocean City draw 2-2 at Reading; Unbeaten streak reaches four
Nor'easters wrap up streak of six straight road games
Ocean City Nor'easters were able to fight their way back into the game at Reading United. At half time, the team trailed by two goals, but after an inspirational team talk from coach Neil Holloway, and some attacking changes, the team were able to get the two goals to tie the game.
One of the cliches of the sport of soccer is that a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead you can have. That cliche rang true on Saturday night as the Ocean City Nor’easters saw a 2-0 second half advantage fizzle away as they settled for a 2-2 draw in a road match at the Carolina Dynamo.
The Nor’easters got goals from Byron Carmichael and Ryan Richter, but the Dynamo answered with a goal in the 57th minute and a penalty kick in the 66th to level the match.
Very little has come easy for the Ocean City Nor’easters this year, and Saturday night’s 3-2 win over the West Virginia Chaos was no exception. The Nor’easters played with a man advantage for the vast majority of the match, but saw the shorthanded Chaos come back to tie the game twice.
Ocean City got goals from Max Hamilton, Byron Carmichael and the game-winner in the 75th minute from second half substitute Terry Gibbs. The win was the club’s second in a row and keeps their record against the Chaos unbeaten in four all-time meetings (2-0-2).
Ryan Richter (LaSalle / Southampton, PA) scored a pair of goals and Byron Carmichael (Marshall / Lumberton, NJ) added another as the Ocean City Nor’easters picked up their first win of the 2010 season, 3-0 at Bermuda on Sunday night. It was the second game against the Hogges in a weekend, with Ocean City dropping a 1-0 decision on Friday.
The win puts an end to a couple of unfortunate all-time club records: A four-game road losing streak and a five-game winless streak.
Ocean City FC's long-time 'friendly rival' Jerry Wojton will be missed
Former Reading United general manager passed away on June 3
The soccer family lost a great man recently when former Reading United general manager Jerry Wojton passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm on June 3. Reading United, known until this year as the Reading Rage, have been a long-time rival of Ocean City FC dating back to the clubs’ days as D3 Pro teams in the late 90s, early 00s. Wojton was the backbone of the franchise, who helped the team make three U.S. Open Cup appearances and won the PDL regular season championship last year.
Ocean City general manager/head coach Neil Holloway took time to remember Wojton:
The Ocean City Nor’easters continued their difficult start to the 2010 season with a 1-0 loss to the Bermuda Hogges on Friday night. The Nor’easters battled the Hogges shorthanded for the majority of the second half but gave up a goal midway through the second frame to extend their road losing streak to four games.
Ocean City drops to 0-3-2, the worst start in franchise history. The match was the first of two games in Bermuda this weekend. The two teams will square off again on Sunday night, with Ocean City still looking for their first win of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Ocean City Nor'easters faced off with the Central Jersey Spartans for the first time and came up on the losing end, 2-1. While it was the first time the Nor'easters had seen the expansion team, it was a familiar face who helped hand them their second loss of the season and left them winless in their first four games for the first time in the club's PDL history.
Ryan Finley (Duke / Lumberton, NJ), who scored two goals for Ocean City during the 2008 season, opened the scoring for Central Jersey in the 19th minute.
Ocean City FC president travels to see his beloved Inter Milan win UEFA Champions League
John Granese spends five days in Madrid, watching Inter defeat Bayern Munich 2-0
Ocean City Nor’easters president John Granese, one of the biggest Inter Milan fans you’ll find, couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see his favorite club play for the UEFA Champions League title. Also, check out video highlights of the match.
Ocean City FC president John Granese attends UEFA Champions League Final in Madrid
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Ocean City draw with Northern Virginia, 1-1
Alex Weidman scores his first PDL goal for Nor'easters
For the second straight home game, the Ocean City Nor’easters had to settle for a draw at Carey Stadium. Saturday’s match at Carey Stadium finished 1-1 between Ocean City and the Northern Virginia Royals, leaving the Nor’easters without a win in their first three matches.
Both goals in the game were controversial beginning with the first one by Alex Weidman (Monmouth / Linwood, NJ) of Ocean City FC. In the 3rd minute, Ryan Richter (LaSalle / Southampton, PA) sent Weidman down the right wing where he attempted to cross the ball into the penalty area. Rather than the ball swinging away from the goalkeeper, the ball bent toward the goal, forcing the keeper to attempt to knock it away. Instead, he swiped the ball toward his own goal and it crossed the line to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
No US Open Cup run this year as Nor'easters fall in Newark
Ironbound Express beat Nor'easters 3-0, finish qualifying 4-0
The Ocean City Nor’easters hopes of returning to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came crashing down two games into the season as they lost 3-0 to the Ironbound Express on Wednesday night. With the loss, the Express finish Open Cup qualifying with a perfect 4-0-0 record and since Ocean City has one point with two games to play, they cannot overtake their rivals to the north.
Ocean City loses late lead, draw 2-2 with Hampton Roads in home opener
Terry Gibbs scores in PDL debut, John Fletcher adds another
The Ocean City Nor’easters began the 2010 PDL season with a disappointing 2-2 draw against the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Carey Stadium. The Nor’easters (0-0-1) were three minutes away from their first-ever win against Hampton Roads, holding a 2-0 lead, but the Piranhas fought back to score two late goals, including a 90th minute equalizer.
16 players return for new-look club that made the playoffs last year
The 2010 season will kick off on Saturday, May 15 when the Nor’easters host the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Carey Stadium. The game will start at 7 p.m. as the club will try to extend their impressive record in home openers. The Nor’easters have never lost a home opener since moving to Ocean City in 2005 (2-0-3) and haven’t dropped a home debut since 2003.
Byron Carmichael, Ocean City FC’s all-time leading scorer returns for 2010
Lumberton, NJ native has 52 goals, 19 assists in 86 career games
Any successful Premier Development League (PDL) franchise has at least a couple veterans that the young players can look up to that make up the foundation of the club. It’s what has helped Ocean City FC achieve the second-best overall record since joining the league in 2003.
To help continue that winning tradition, Byron Carmichael, the club’s all-time leading scorer, will return for the 2010 season. Carmichael enters the season with 52 goals, 19 assists in 86 games and he is also the club’s all-time leader in minutes played with 6,224.
Come down for some fun filled family entertainment at the Carey Stadium in Ocean City, this summer, and enjoy an exciting summer of soccer. The affordable price of our season ticket packages makes this an ideal night out by the boardwalk. Adults $40 and kids $20. The 2009 season was a great success however the club are striving to become more successful and exceed expectations throughout the 2010 campaign. Familiar faces, from previous rosters, will be returning boosted by some new young talent ready to take the Ocean City Nor’easters to the next level.
Chris Williams only 2nd American to play professionally in Vietnam
Former Ocean City FC, Philadelphia University defender immersed in new culture with Da Nang FC
Chris Williams (left) is only the second American (Lee Nguyen is the other) to ever play professionally in Vietnam, signing with Da Nang FC
For three years, Chris Williams was one of the best defenders to ever play for Ocean City FC. "Big Chris" was a big part of the club’s undefeated regular season in 2004 and the helped the team reach the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2005.
After spending three years playing for Miami FC of the USL First Division, the Philadelphia native has taken the road less-traveled by signing with Da Nang FC, the defending league and cup champions of the V-League in Vietnam. He is in select company as only the second American player to ever play professionally in Vietnam.
Matt Jernee, who currently plays for the Winslow Under-13 boys team and will represent Ocean City FC in the Super Y-League this year, submitted the name "Nor’easters" to the Name That Team contest.
Ocean City FC general manager and head coach Neil Holloway was on hand to present Jernee with a new Reading FC jersey and season tickets for the 2010 PDL campaign.
Congratulations to Matt and best of luck in the upcoming Super Y-League season.
Club enters 14th season with new nickname, colors, website
The 2010 Premier Development League and Super Y-League season begins a new era for Ocean City FC. The club enters its 14th season as a United Soccer Leagues franchise -- their 8th in the PDL -- with a brand new identity.
Following one of the best goalkeeping performances in Ocean City FC history last season, Tunde Ogunbiyi (Boston College / Gwynedd, PA) is on his way to England ...temporarily.
Club opens season at Carey Stadium, May 15 vs. Hampton Roads
2010 Ocean City FC tickets Season: $40 adult / $20 kids
Call 609-525-9999
or visit www.ocnj.us (Events)
for single-game tickets
The Premier Development League revealed the 2010 league schedule, and Ocean City FC will open its 14th season on Saturday, May 15 against the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Carey Stadium.
Ocean City PDL team sheds 'Barons' name, affiliation
New era begins with revamped structure, Super Y-League teams
After 13 years, the Ocean City Barons Premier Development League (PDL) team will be changing their name and club structure after splitting with the South Jersey Barons youth academy.
Recap of how PDL players performed at college this season
Several Ocean City Barons players repsented the PDL club while at their respective colleges this past Fall. Four players took part in the NCAA tournament, another has been invited to the Major League Soccer Combine and a number of others made their mark in conference play.
Once again, the Ocean City Barons received a tremendous amount of coverage from NBC40 this past season and thanks to the folks at USLLive.com, the club was able to share that coverage with Barons fans everywhere. Click continue to see all the action, like the highlights from the Barons’ US Open Cup match against DC United (below)
Byron Carmichael and Tunde Ogunbiyi voted as the top offensive and defensive player
Rory McCrea, pictured here in an Open Cup match vs. Real Maryland, played in every single game for the Barons this year, leading the team in minutes played. Photo: Bill Pellegrino
The Ocean City Barons have announced their team award winners for the 2009 season. Midfielder Rory McCrea (Hofstra / Leeds, England) has been named the most valuable player with Byron Carmichael (Marshall / Lumberton, NJ) and Tunde Ogunbiyi (Boston College / Gwynedd, PA) voted as the offensive and defensive MVPs respectively. The awards were voted on by coaches, team officials and the players themselves.
"Since this was such a tight nit group, we asked the players to vote on the team MVP," said head coach Neil Holloway. "We also included the coaches’ point of view and the front office staff, so we had a true overall perspective for this year’s awards.
Boston College keeper ranked third in the PDL in goals against average, fourth in shutouts
Tunde Ogunbiyi makes a save against D.C. United in US Open Cup play. Photo by Bill Pellegrino
Ocean City Barons goalkeeper Tunde Ogunbiyi was named to the Premier Development League’s All-Conference Team, becoming the first Baron to win post-season honors since the 2006 season. Ogunbiyi, in his second season with the club, was 5-4-2 in 11 games played and ranked third in the PDL in goals against average (0.76) and second in goals allowed (8). The Gwynedd, PA native also earned five shutouts, three of them coming in his first three starts of the season, that were crucial to the Barons qualifying for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. His goals against average and shutout totals are the second-best single-season total in Barons history.
Young team adds to club's winning tradition with Open Cup, playoff upsets along with a brave performance vs. D.C. United
From left to right, top scorer Byron Carmichael, head coach Neil Holloway, minutes leader Rory McCrea, All-Conference goalkeeper Tunde Ogunbiyi, All-American J.T. Noone, captain Joe Banks.
Photos by Bill Pellegrino.
Soccer fans who would look at the Ocean City Barons’ 9-4-3 regular season record at face value might not understand just how special the 2009 season was. Winning nine games is nothing new to the Ocean City franchise. They have reached the nine-win mark (or more) five of their seven years in the Premier Development League (PDL), but it was their four combined wins in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the PDL playoffs that set the 2009 campaign apart from all the others, including the undefeated 2004 season.
The Ocean City Barons have been eliminated from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after they fell to D.C. United, 2-0, on Tuesday evening at the Maryland Soccerplex. The Barons held the game scoreless until the 74th minute when a Christian Gomez penalty kick forced Ocean City to throw the kitchen sink forward looking for an equalizer, but they were unable to tie the game. United would add a late stoppage time goal to put the game away and end the Cup run of the tournament’s last remaining amateur club.
Many of the more than 2,000 fans in attendance, many of them Barons fans who traveled down to the game, expected the defending Open Cup champions would have more possession, increasing their opportunities for goals, but numerous players stepped up on the Barons’ defensive end to keep the game level going into the halftime break. (PLENTY OF VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AFTER THE JUMP!)
The Ocean City Barons pulled off the biggest win in franchise history with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Real Maryland on Tuesday night in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
J.T. Noone (Temple / Harrisburg, PA) converted a penalty kick in the second period of extra time to give the Barons their second straight win over a professional opponent in the 95-year old tournament. Ocean City becomes only the sixth amateur team to ever upset back-to-back professional clubs.
The Barons, made up mostly of college players, will travel to the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD on June 30 to face D.C. United of Major League Soccer. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
"This is undoubtadly, the biggest win and the biggest occasion in Barons history to date," said head coach Neil Holloway. "Beating two professional teams and then to move on to play one of the most famous clubs in the country in D.C. United, it’s really just incredible." (SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AFTER THE JUMP)
For the second year in a row, the Ocean City Nor’easters have had a player named to the Premier Development League All-Conference Team. Team captain John Fletcher (Eckerd College / Uxbridge, England), a third-year defender, broke the club’s single-season scoring record for defenders with four, while also leading the team in minutes played and starting every match.
The Ocean City Nor’easters returned to Carey Stadium for the first time in over a month, but lost 1-0 to the Central Jersey Spartans. The loss snapped the club’s three-game home unbeaten streak and drops the team’s record to 2-4-4. After Saturday’s action, Ocean City finds themselves 12 points short of the last playoff spot, with six games to play.
For the second straight home game, the Ocean City Nor’easters had to settle for a draw at Carey Stadium. Saturday’s match at Carey Stadium finished 1-1 between Ocean City and the Northern Virginia Royals, leaving the Nor’easters without a win in their first three matches.
The Ocean City Nor’easters hopes of returning to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup came crashing down two games into the season as they lost 3-0 to the Ironbound Express on Wednesday night. With the loss, the Express finish Open Cup qualifying with a perfect 4-0-0 record and since Ocean City has one point with two games to play, they cannot overtake their rivals to the north. 
The Ocean City Nor’easters began the 2010 PDL season with a disappointing 2-2 draw against the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Carey Stadium. The Nor’easters (0-0-1) were three minutes away from their first-ever win against Hampton Roads, holding a 2-0 lead, but the Piranhas fought back to score two late goals, including a 90th minute equalizer.
The 2010 season will kick off on Saturday, May 15 when the Nor’easters host the Hampton Roads Piranhas at Carey Stadium. The game will start at 7 p.m. as the club will try to extend their impressive record in home openers. The Nor’easters have never lost a home opener since moving to Ocean City in 2005 (2-0-3) and haven’t dropped a home debut since 2003.
Any successful Premier Development League (PDL) franchise has at least a couple veterans that the young players can look up to that make up the foundation of the club. It’s what has helped Ocean City FC achieve the second-best overall record since joining the league in 2003.
The 2010 Premier Development League and Super Y-League season begins a new era for Ocean City FC. The club enters its 14th season as a United Soccer Leagues franchise -- their 8th in the PDL -- with a brand new identity.
Several Ocean City Barons players repsented the PDL club while at their respective colleges this past Fall. Four players took part in the NCAA tournament, another has been invited to the Major League Soccer Combine and a number of others made their mark in conference play. 
