Inter New Hampshire Prepare For Season Two, Remain Focused On Joining USL League One
Club president Jeremy Zelanes gives us an update on Inter New Hampshire FC and his pursuit of a USL League One team.
Inter New Hampshire FC is gearing up for its second season, with the goal of one day making the jump to USL League One.
Spearheaded by club president Jeremy Zelanes, Inter New Hampshire debuted in Division 1 of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) last year.
The launch wasn’t completely smooth–Zelanes particularly recalled a 7-0 loss to Fall River on his son’s birthday–but adjustments were made, eventually leading to the club's championship win.
“I had a good talk with the coach,” Zelanes told The Blazing Musket. “We went on a mission that following week to start plugging in the missing pieces of the puzzle. We went on a great run the next weekend. We had a nice win, a good rebound win, and we didn't look back.”
Inter New Hampshire, who was promoted to UPSL Premier, hopes for more success in 2025. The team is now coached by Fernando Yepes, who has a USSF A License and previously led Boston Street FC.
“My goal this season is to create a family-friendly environment where people can come out, watch the games, and enjoy it with their kids,” Zelanes said. “Then their kids can look at some of the players–a lot of them are playing in Division I colleges right now–and have them see that there’s a pathway, whether it's to go to play Division I college or play amateur or even professional.”
Marque Matches in 2025
While each game brings its own level of excitement, Inter New Hampshire FC have a few special matches on its schedule during year two.
League play will see them face Beech Street FC, creating a natural regional rivalry. Beech Street visit Inter New Hampshire on April 12th before hosting them at West High School Stadium on June 7th
“I think this is exactly what New Hampshire needs leading up to getting a professional team,” Zelanes said. “We need the excitement in the community. We need people coming out and playing the game.
“The state of New Hampshire is seeing record numbers of kids coming out. We have a World Cup next year. There’s just so many positive things in New England as a whole.”
Another match to circle is the away trip to Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, ME on August 6th. This is when Inter New Hampshire will play Hearts of Pine of USL League One.
The announcement has been positive with some fans already starting some light-hearted trash talk on social media. The game will be an opportunity for Inter New Hampshire to test themselves, but it could grow into something more: A full-blown rivalry between teams in neighboring states.
“I just think it could turn into something really incredible, especially competing in the same league,” Zelanes said.
Eyeing a USL League One Team
Zelanes has long dreamed of bringing a professional soccer team to New Hampshire. In fact, he was going through the process at roughly the same time as Hearts founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson.
As Hearts prepare for their inaugural season, Zelanes reflected that he was perhaps too focused on acquiring real estate to build a stadium. Watching Hearts' growth and speaking to Hoffman-Johnson helped him realize the importance of building a community.
“Having conversations with [Hoffman-Johnson] has been great because he's helped me understand where my focus needs to be,” Zelanes said. “Without the community, you don't really have a team.
“Coming off a successful season, now we’re starting to tell the story of who we are and who we want to be and where we want to be in the community. I think that's going to be a big focus.”
Zelanes said that he’s currently courting two investors to help him launch a USL League One team in New Hampshire. He explained that it’s too early to name a timeline for this project, though he does like the idea of launching in 2027, one year after the United States hosts the World Cup.
For him, it’s more about building a community that will help him determine the proper timeline.
“I really want to do it right,” Zelanes said. “I really want the community to be around this team, and I really want to make sure that's in place first.
“I don't want to rush it. I want the right person in place to take over that role of primary investor. I want us to be playing in a strategic location where fans can enjoy coming out and they're not having to drive to go watch the game too far.”
An Emphasis on Listening
Zelanes has had many formative soccer experiences that have shaped how he sees the game.
As a fan, he remembers attending Orlando Lions games in Florida. That amateur team was a precursor to Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer.
While it’s unlikely that New Hampshire will have a team in the highest domestic soccer league, Zelanes views the Lions as a “testament to what could happen with a team like Inter New Hampshire.”
Last year, Zelanes was part of a project that saw New England Revolution II play some of its home games at Southern New Hampshire University.
While the Revs’ second team ultimately returned to Gillette Stadium this year, Zelanes remembers Colby Quinones, a former Revs II player who now plays for Hearts, talking about how great it was to see professional soccer in his home state.
Zelanes hopes to bring that feeling to New Hampshire permanently. To do that, he knows he needs to listen to the people. Zelanes explained that while Inter New Hampshire will play in Manchester, he views the team as one that belongs to the entire state.
Zelanes is eyeing USL League One, but wouldn’t rule out the possibility of spending time in USL League Two, home of successful teams like the Seacoast United Phantoms, Vermont Green FC, and Western Mass Pioneers.
The name and logo could also change. Zelanes explained that Inter New Hampshire was selected to celebrate the state's and team's diversity. The fall roster included players from nine different countries, and the spring roster could include more.
“That's all part of the listening game that I want to do from now on,” Zelanes said. “I want to hear from the community and what they think.”
Zelanes encouraged soccer fans–especially those in New Hampshire–to follow Inter New Hampshire on social media and subscribe to their newsletter.
These are the best ways to monitor the team and provide feedback, hopefully leading to a professional soccer team coming to the Granite State.