16 Jul ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PROPOSAL TO RECOGNIZE ALBERT COUTINHO BY NAMING SOCCER FIELD IN ESSEX COUNTY RIVERFRONT PARK IN HIS HONOR
Published on July 16, 2026
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, July 16th that he is recommending the soccer field in Essex County Riverfront Park in Newark be named in honor of the late Albert Coutinho. Coutinho was a prominent businessman, co-founder of the Ironbound Soccer Club, organizer of the Newark Portugal Day Festival and former NJ State Assemblyman. He died March 29, 2026, in a car accident.
“There were three things that Albert loved: his family, his hometown of Newark and the game of soccer,” DiVincenzo said. “Albert was very giving and he touched the lives of people of all ages through his involvement with numerous community activities and organizations. Generations of young athletes learned the game of soccer and honed their skills through his soccer club, he lent his talent and expertise to help small businesses here in Essex County and in Portugal, and he strengthened pride in his community by spotlighting Portuguese culture,” he added.
“Future generations should always remember the positive influence that Albert had on the community and many people he helped. Naming the soccer field in Riverfront Park after him will keep his memory alive, keep his memory close to the game that he loved and hopefully inspire future generations to follow in his footsteps in giving back to their neighborhoods,” the County Executive said.
Mr. Coutinho was born and raised in the Ironbound section of Newark and began working in his family’s bakery business at the age of 8. He worked on the bakery floor and in the front office and was knowledgeable about all aspects of the business, which became a landmark institution in the Ironbound and a hub for cultural and community activities.
Promoting his Portuguese heritage was very important to Mr. Coutinho and he took a leadership role in organizing the Newark Portugal Day Festival, which has become the largest celebration of Portuguese heritage outside of Portugal and the largest ethnic celebration in New Jersey.
The game of soccer was a passion for Mr. Coutinho. He was the co-founder and chairman of the Ironbound Soccer Club, which promoted youth, amateur and semi-professional soccer in the region. Generations of male and female athletes learned the game of soccer, teamwork and sportsmanship under the watchful eye of Mr. Coutinho and the ISC. He frequently served as a sports commentator on talk shows and panels and helped to establish F.C. Porto of New Jersey. The New Jersey Soccer Association inducted Mr. Coutinho into their Hall of Fame in 2021 to recognize him for his efforts to help grow the game of soccer in New Jersey and provide access to elite soccer.
Mr. Coutinho was proud of his hometown and twice represented the city in the NJ State Legislator as a State Assemblyman from 1997 to 1998 and 2008 to 2013. His initiatives included advocating for school repairs in Newark and criminal justice reform.
Land for Essex County Riverfront Park was acquired in 2010 and the park opened in 2012. The soccer field was part of a recent revitalization project in which a new synthetic grass playing surface was installed on the soccer field.
DiVincenzo’s proposal will be sent to the Essex County Board of Commissioners for their review. If approved by the board, a dedication ceremony will be scheduled later this year.
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