Playing for the Nor'easters



About the Ocean City Nor'easters

The Ocean City Nor’easters is a soccer franchise based in Ocean City, New Jersey that competes in USL League Two (formerly the Premier Development League) -- the top men’s amateur league in North America. The league is considered the fourth level of soccer in the United States below the professional leagues Major League Soccer, the United Soccer League (USL) Championship and USL League One. Players have the ability to compete in USL League Two throughout the summer months in a professional setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment to the Ocean City community. 
 
For more than two decades, the Nor'easters have established themselves as one of the best USL League Two teams on the continent. Since joining the league in 2003, Ocean City has the fourth-best overall record, and the fourth-best home record among the more than 100 teams across North America. In the history of the league that dates back to 1995, the Nor'easters have the fifth-most regular season wins of any club.

Among the accomplishments, are the 2009 team that reached the PDL Quarterfinals as well as the 2012 team that reached the PDL Round of 16. Since 2013, the Nor'easters have reached two national semifinals (2013 & 2016). Ocean City has won four division titles (2004, 2012, 2013, 2022) and have made eight playoff appearances but the club's performances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup have made a name for itself on a national stage.

The Nor'easters have upset five professional teams in the tournament, and among all of the amateur clubs that have taken part in the tournament since 1995, only two teams (Michigan Bucks, Des Moines Menace) have more pro upsets than Ocean City. They've even gone toe-to-toe with two MLS teams (D.C. United in 2009 and Philadelphia Union in 2013) in the tournament and nearly pulled off major upsets on the road in both games.

In addition to their achievements on the field, individually, more than 100 Ocean City alums have moved on to play professional soccer. From Major League Soccer and the United Soccer Leagues to more than 20 countries around the world, Ocean City alums have earned a living playing the game they love. You can find a full list of all the Nor'easters in the pros (both past and present) HERE.
 
Supporters can "Follow the Storm" on TwitterFacebookInstagram & YouTube.
 

 
TOP PERFORMING USL LEAGUE TWO CLUBS SINCE 2003
       
    Team Wins Losses Draws Points
1. Michigan Bucks 192 50 44 620
2. Des Moines Menace 189 59 38 605
3. Chicago FC United 178 65 43 577
4. OCEAN CITY NOR'EASTERS 165 70 55 550
6.

Reading United AC 162 61 49 535

 
The Nor'easters celebrate after beating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) in the 2013 US Open Cup, before facing the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer in the next round.

Food

The Ocean City Nor’easters will provide, through club sponsors, access to discounted meals at various restaurants around the city of Ocean City, NJ.

Jobs

The Ocean City Nor’easters, in coordination with the city of Ocean City, NJ, provide seasonal employment to any interested players, through the completion of employment application. In previous years, the club has helped in coordinating the following employment…

·        Ocean City Nor’easters Youth Academy
·        ACME
·        Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
·        And numerous local businesses around the city & on the OCNJ Boardwalk

Schedule

The Ocean City Nor’easters will be competing in USL League Two, as well as friendlies. The schedule is due to be released in February 2023.

Staff
 
 

Treasurer & GM - Giancarlo Granese Jr.
 
Image may contain: 2 people














Former Nor'easters player and current general manager Giancarlo Granese Jr.

Head Coach: Kevin Nuss

Kevin Nuss returned as head coach of the Ocean City Nor'easters and led the club to a historic season. In his second overall season as manager (2019, 2022), he guided the Nor'easters to the club's second undefeated regular season with an 11-0-3 record. Nuss spent seven seasons with the Nor'easters in a variety of roles, including head coach and sporting director in 2019. Nuss, a Logan Township, N.J. native, is currently the head coach at the Indian Hills Community College men’s soccer program in Iowa.

Prior to being hired at Indian Hills, Nuss built Camden College into a national championship contender. During his three seasons in charge of the Cougars, he boasted an incredible 41-5-2 record, won three straight regional championships and qualified for the national tournament all three years. In 2019, he led the Cougars to the NJCAA final four, and in 2020, the team reached the national championship game, where they fell short, 1-0 to Richland College.

Nuss originally joined the Nor’easters in 2011, starting out as an assistant coach before being named associate head coach in January of 2014 under head coach Tim Oswald. In addition to his role as associate head coach, Nuss was named general manager a few months later.

In his time with Ocean City from 2011-16, the club won two division titles (2012, 2013) and reached the national final four twice (2013, 2016). Nuss also recruited a number of talented players who moved on to play the game at the next level. In total, 55 players during that span moved on to sign professional contracts. Some of the players include two players that won the league's most valuable player award. 2016 USL2 MVP Chevaughn "Chevy" Walsh, who later signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Championship), now plays professionally in Vietnam. 2019 USL2 MVP Deri Corfe re-wrote the Nor'easters record book before moving on to play for the New York Red Bulls 2 (USL Championship) and is now playing overseas. As a former goalkeeper himself, Nuss also helped continue the club's tradition of recruiting excellent goalkeepers, including Logan Ketterer (El Paso Locomotive FC), one of the top netminders in the USL Championship and current MLS players John McCarthy (Inter Miami CF) and Tyler Miller (Minnesota United FC). Felix Schafer made history in 2022, becoming the first Nor'easters goalkeeper to win the USL League Two Golden Glove award as the league's top netminder.

 
John Thompson new Ocean City Noreasters head coach for 2017












 
 
















Training


The goal of the Ocean City Nor’easters is to provide training to keep players sharp, fit and fresh while preparing them for their upcoming collegiate season. The Nor’easters staff works diligently to monitor every player's health and fitness, through workload.

The Ocean City Nor’easters will begin training as soon as they arrive from college.

The Ocean City Nor’easters technical staff conducts 2-3 team training sessions a week throughout the season. Of the weekly training sessions, one session is entirely focused on the preparation of the week’s match.

The Ocean City Nor’easters, led by team Sports Therapist, conduct recovery sessions after every match.
 
 

The Ocean City, NJ beach hosts over 150,000 visitors each summer


Travel

The Ocean City Nor’easters provide all players and staff with professionally driven transportation from Ocean City, NJ to all matches and club functions.

The Ocean City Nor'easters do not cover any costs associated with travel to or from Ocean City, NJ, for any player.

The Ocean City Nor'easters can arrange for pick up from and/or drop off to the following airports...

Philadelphia International Airport (Philadelphia, PA) - $60.00 per roundtrip
Atlantic City International Airport (Egg Harbor Township, NJ) - $25.00 per roundtrip

Facilities

The Ocean City Nor’easters play all home matches at Carey Stadium ("The Beach House" at 6th Street & Boardwalk), right off the Ocean City Boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean. Players will have access to Carey Stadium’s training facilities and locker rooms, two hours prior to every home match. The City have installed a new turf field with new cork infill that keeps the survace cool. The playing surface is 120 yards x 72 yards. 
 
 
Carey Stadium, aka "The Beach House"
 
The Ocean City Nor’easters conduct all team-training sessions at Tennessee Avenue Soccer Complex, right off the Bay & 6th Street Field, steps from the Nor'easters clubhouse.
 
Tennessee Ave Soccer Complex & the 6th Street Field
 
Club sponsor, Greate Bay Racquet & Fitness Club provides full fitness facilities for all players & staff for the entirety of the season.
 
 
Team Doctor, Sports Therapist & Athletic Trainer(s)

The Ocean City Nor’easters provide a team doctor available to all players and staff; available upon appointment.
 
The Ocean City Nor’easters provide a full-time sports therapist & athletic trainers, available to all players and staff who attend all team functions (home or away). The club's sports therapist is available to all players and staff, during normally scheduled hours.

Gear & Equipment

Players are provided with all official Ocean City Nor’easters gear, such as training & match day apparel.

The Ocean City Nor’easters DO NOT provide any personal player gear, such as boots, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, etc.
 
The 2015 squad team picture on 9th Street Beach with the Mayor of Ocean City, Jay Gillian
 
Player Responsibilities & Expectations

All Ocean City Nor’easters players are responsible for their own behavior and for conducting themselves as professionals during their time in affiliation with the club. Due to storied success and popularity of the Nor’easters within Ocean City, NJ and the local southern New Jersey shore area, all Ocean City Nor’easters players and staff are viewed as public figures.

The Ocean City Nor’easters do numerous community-driven events and players are expected to participate (when available) as the club’s involvement in the community is important to our success, on and off the field.

All Ocean City Nor’easters players are responsible for managing and maintaining all club-issued team and personal gear and equipment.

All Ocean City Nor’easters players are responsible for cleaning, managing and maintaining the club provided housing, as well as all fixtures, furniture, appliances and anything within the property limits of the provided housing, in which belongs to the club or any player housed by the club.

All Ocean City Nor’easters players are responsible for communicating all injuries & illnesses to the club technical and medical staff. The Ocean City Nor’easters cannot be held responsible for any injury or illness, which was not communicated properly.

All Ocean City Nor’easters players are expected to communicate their availability at the earliest convenience, throughout the entirety of the season.
 
The famous OCNJ Lifeguard boat

Store Banner

Store Banner