Paisley Athletic

Kearny, New Jersey, has long called itself Soccertown, USA, and the label is earned in youth leagues and high school fields across the town rather than in a professional stadium. Paisley Athletic FC grew out of that culture in 2021. General Manager Jenn Pettigrew Tuesta has described the founding mission as opening doors for female athletes who might otherwise find none.

The club started with a single side in United Women's Soccer League 2, moved up to UWS Division 1 the following year, and has since added a USL W-League first team, a U23 side and an academy running from under-13 to under-19. That academy has already produced results: its U-19 team reached the President's Cup national final.

The first team's debut season in the USL W League, in 2023, ended with a sixth-place finish out of eight in the Metropolitan Division. What the club has offered instead is a pipeline into the international game. Dani Etienne went from Paisley to Haiti's squad at the 2023 Women's World Cup, and Nickolette Dresse captains Puerto Rico's national team. Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger, both capped by the United States and both familiar faces at Gotham FC, have turned up at Paisley's pre-game events.

Matches are played at Kearny High School Stadium, known locally as Harvey Field, in front of purple-clad supporters. The ground holds 5,000.