The Soul of Soccer in Hoboken – Matteo Percontino

Perhaps it’s an unintended consequence that the world’s most popular sport didn’t find a true home in Hoboken until an Italian immigrant created good noise about The Beautiful Game.

The best-known sporting accomplishments of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s were dominated by a successful Pop Warner football program at the county, state, and national levels; a county Little League baseball championship; and basketball, baseball, and football standouts at Demarest High such as David Little, Tony Radovich, John Wendelken, John Romano, Dennis O’Brien, and Jackie Muraca.

Then came the Ascolese football era at Hoboken High, when names like Pellecchia and Peluso made their mark. Yet even with early success under coaches like Mike Granelli and Pat Gratale in the late 60s, citywide soccer still didn’t gain much traction. The achievements of coaches Sparta, Matthews, and Stinson in the 80s and 90s also failed to carve out a permanent sporting spot for international football in Hoboken.

The city had the YMCA, Hoboken Rec, 4th Street Park, the Project’s field, Wallace Playground, Veteran’s Field, Bethlehem stickball, and countless makeshift play areas—yet soccer remained limited.

Culturally, too, the sport faced challenges. Growing up, not using one’s hands felt counterintuitive in a city where baseball, basketball, and football reigned supreme.

Into this landscape arrived left-footed Mediterranean Matteo Percontino, who immigrated to Hoboken as a teenager from Monte San Giacomo, a small town in Italy, in September 1967. The Lisa brothers, Angelo and Tony, helped make soccer his purpose, while coach Mike Granelli at Hoboken High quickly recognized his talent.

In his two varsity seasons (1967 and 1968), Matteo left his mark. In 1968, the team went undefeated (18–0), defeating local powers Harrison and Kearny, with Matty scoring 32 goals.

Mr. Percontino earned county and state honors at Atlantic Community College, where he also grew academically, before transferring to St. Peter’s College—once again under Coach Granelli. There, Matteo helped secure the school’s first winning season and was named All-State while also earning his degree.

In September 1978, Matteo became the third head soccer coach at Hoboken High and began teaching Spanish. Under his leadership, the Red Wings won county championships in 1981–82 and 1982–83.

As both coach and teacher, Percontino saw Hoboken change: longtime families moved out due to rising costs, newcomers often arrived without children, and limited field space left teenage involvement in soccer minimal. Aware of the dilemma, he worked with Mayors Pasculli and Russo to develop fields along Sinatra Drive. He also praised James Ronga (Hoboken High AD) and James Farina (City Clerk) for their critical roles in securing city field space.

Matteo coached the boys’ soccer team for 24 years and the girls’ team for six, retiring in 2009 after 34 years of teaching and coaching in the Hoboken district.

His success and tenacity in growing soccer citywide extended beyond the high school, supported by leaders such as former Mayor Zimmer, current Mayor Bhalla, and women like Janet Wright, Nedi Lowenwirth, Martha Gonzalez, and Kira Bari.

Mr. Matteo Percontino’s success stems from his trilingual skills, his Hall of Fame athletic career at Hoboken High, and decades as a coach and teacher for both men’s and women’s teams. He led players abroad to Italy, earned county and state honors, created youth and city soccer programs through his social club, and made the world’s most popular sport a source of joy in the Mile Square City.

In 2014, Matteo was inducted into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame., and, in 2026, when the World Cup Final is played at MetLife Stadium, you can be sure that Matt Percontino will be there—a Red Wing fan, and truly the soul of soccer in Hoboken.

Dennis Sevano was born and raised in Hoboken. He writes frequently about sports figures and notables in the Mile Square City. He currently resides in Teaneck.