Returning for another season with NJ Copa FC for the USL2 summer of soccer is Midfielder Diogo Ferreira who played for NJIT from 2016 -to 2019. In 2019 for NJIT, the Ovar, Portugal native had his best statistical season appearing in 19 games helping the team win 10 games, and the ASUN conference tournament before losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
When asked about his return to the team, Diogo said “I'm looking forward to returning for my second season and taking care of some unfinished business. Excited to meet the team and get to work.”
“It's nice to have Diogo back this summer with us.” Said Coach Fernando Barboto, who also coached Diogo at NJIT. “He is a leader on and off the pitch and will help us in so many ways. The things he can do on the ball are great, but it is how he operates off the ball in finding and creating space that makes him special.”
The USL 2 comes back to New Jersey as NJ Copa FC returns to the pitch on Saturday, May 21st at Mount Saint Mary’s College against the Hudson Valley Hammers at 7 pm EST. Coming off of a 5-6-3 2021 campaign, the club looks to rebound in 2022 to take all three points in the opening weekend, and get off on the proper foot heading into the summer schedule.
NJ Copa FC will start the season off on the road after the first fixture and head to Fairleigh Dickinson University on Wednesday night to take on the Cedar Stars Rush with an 8 pm EST kickoff for its second game of the season. This match is an important fixture to look at as last year FC Copa was 0-1-1 against the Stars and wants to return the favor this year as they play twice in a matter of a week with NJ Copa FC hosting the Stars Wednesday, June 1.
The June 1st opener is a special day for NJ Copa FC as they host matches this year at St. Joseph’s High School for the 2022 season where they will host 7 matches with the last 6 scheduled games to be at home for Copa as they look to use the home-field advantage to help them finish the end of the season strong.
The USL 2 regular season takes place during the summer months from May to July with each team playing 14 matches against regional competition The top-seeded club and the division's runner up will then have an opportunity to play a team from another division in the playoffs that will take place later in July and continuing to play for a possible USL 2 Championship in early August.