07 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES THE ALBERT ‘AL’ COUTINHO SOCCER FIELD IN ESSEX COUNTY RIVERFRONT PARK IN HONOR OF THE LATE ALBERT COUTINHO
Published on October 7, 2026
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the Albert “Al” Coutinho Soccer Field in Essex County Riverfront Park in honor of the late Albert “Al” Coutinho on Wednesday, October 7th. 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.
“Honoring Albert is beautiful because he was passionate about the soccer which is known as the beautiful game but also because of the opportunities he created for so many generations of soccer players and residents in Newark. In a world where green space is at a premium in urban communities, he was an advocate for fields like the one we are naming in his honor today,” said Coutinho’s niece Emily Goncalves.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to honor Albert’s achievements and legacy. We need to continue the work he started in the Ironbound,” said Congressman Rob Menendez, who presented Coutinho’s family with a flag that was raised over the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
“We all talk about Albert’s acumen on the soccer field and what he’s done for the sport, but his brain ran on all levels,” said Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz, who attributed a host of new school buildings constructed in Newark to the work of Coutinho when he served in the Assembly.
“As elected officials, we all grow into a political family, but Albert became real family,” Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin said.
“I am glad we are all here to remember Albert and all the great things he did. He should never be forgotten,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said. “Albert was dedicated to his family and creating opportunities for children. That’s how I will remember him,” Commissioner Len Luciano said.
“No one was a bigger part of my life than Albert. There is no doubt I’m a council member because he believed in me,” Newark Councilman Michael Silva said.
“This is the only public event I have done since I left office and it is because there is only one Albert Coutinho,” said former Governor Phil Murphy who shared his love of soccer with Mr. Coutinho.
“Albert always remembered holidays and birthdays. It may seem small, but it shows the love he had for people. Honoring him with this field naming will make sure the community remembers his legacy,” Sheriff Amir Jones said.
“Albert and I were leading separate soccer clubs but we were not opponents before we merged together and created the Ironbound Soccer Club in 2006. Despite all his accomplishments with soccer, the most important thing to Albert was the $3 million in college scholarships earned by his athletes,” said John Soares, co-founder of the Ironbound Soccer Club.
“We all miss Albert because he was the bridge for us in many ways. He was involved in getting us funding and keeping our parks beautiful,” said Nancy Zak from the Ironbound Community Corp.
Mr. Coutinho’s name was added to the scoreboard at the soccer field off of Raymond Boulevard in Newark and a bronze plaque was installed at the field’s entrance. The plaque begins with a quote by soccer legend Pele: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and, most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” It continues: “Albert ‘Al’ Coutinho loved three things: his family, soccer and his Portuguese heritage; and he always was trying to help others and improve the community he loved. Born and raised in Newark’s Ironbound, Albert started working in his family’s bakery business at the age of 8 and later used those experiences to inspire the entrepreneurial pursuits of others. A huge soccer fan throughout his life, he operated and co-founded the Ironbound Soccer Club to provide recreation opportunities for young athletes and used the game of soccer to help players further their education by earning college scholarships. He put a global spotlight on Newark’s Ironbound by bringing international soccer tournaments to the neighborhood and organizing the annual Newark Portugal Day Festival, which has become the largest Portuguese heritage event outside of Portugal and the largest cultural event in New Jersey. He was equally proud to represent his community in government affairs and had the distinction of being the first person of Portuguese descent to be elected to the NJ Assembly. Naming the Essex County Albert ‘Al’ Coutino Soccer Field will keep his memory close to the game he loved and inspire others to make an impact in their community as he did.”
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 and baseball field and improvements were made to the tennis courts and playground.
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