A growing soccer club in Morris County is now fielding a semi-professional team.

Morris Elite is the fastest-growing soccer club in New Jersey. It was founded in 2016 as a premier youth soccer club and it now includes a semi-professional team.

“Now we’re here with not only a USL2 senior team, but with 40 youth teams and 500 players in our club,” says owner and president Vincenzo Bernardo. “It’s been a great ride so far."

Bernard played soccer professionally in the United States and abroad. But the Madison native says that he wanted to come home to build a soccer club to provide a player pathway for the local youth.

“The team for any player is to go to the highest level and doing it here in our local community with our local players is a dream come true,” Bernardo says.

This is the first year that Morris Elite is fielding a USL2 team. It can be described as the same level as AA Baseball.

“In my opinion, New Jersey is one of the best states in the nation when it comes to soccer. So many good players at different levels and at the same time, our conference is very competitive,” says coach Javier Velasco.

The senior team is comprised of college players, national team members and former professionals, like Clifton native Danny Szetela.

“It’s hard work and dedication. You have to make sure you push these guys every day. As an older player, I have to make sure that these guys are following in the footsteps and taking in advice and not letting it go in one year and out the other,” Szetela says.

Morris Elite is all about opportunity for both veterans and newcomers – like Wayne native Stefan Koroman.

“I played in five different countries, but at the end of the day, these players played in 20 plus countries and that just brings that attitude, that determination on the field and it pushes me to play the best I could,” Koroman says.

Morris Elite just kicked off its season. They play their home games at Union High School.