On October 3, 2005, Jeff Vanderbeek and Michael Gilfillan of the NHL New Jersey Devils ownership group broke ground on Prudential Center in the Downtown Core Redevelopment District of Newark.  It is announced that Prudential Center, the first arena to be built in the major metropolitan area in over 25 years, is set to open in the fall of 2007.

As completion of Prudential Center neared, the Ironmen held a press conference on June 21, 2007, to make an official announcement of their intentions to join the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) for the 2007-08 season.  The formal introduction of two-time MISL Coach of the Year Omid Namazi as the first-ever head coach of the expansion side was also made, and banking veteran Tony Novo was pronounced the general manger of the club.  Also on hand for the special occasion were team owners Vanderbeek and Gilfillan, Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker, East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador and MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan.  The following Thursday, June 28, former MISL All-Star Shaun David was inked as the first player in Ironmen history. 

As Namazi compiled the inaugural season roster, the Ironmen continued to splash the national headlines.  On August 15, the team announced that three-time World Cup goalkeeper and Kearny-born Tony Meola would be returning home to the Garden State to backstop the club.  Then, nearly 30 years to the day after he played his last professional game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the expansion side formally announced that the legendary Pelé would serve as the team honorary captain at the Ironmen home opener. 

Anticipation truly began to grow around the metropolitan area when Prudential Center opened its doors for the first time on October 25, 2007, for a series of concerts by New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi.  The following night, the Ironmen played their first game in club history at the Amway Arena in central Florida, defeating the Orlando Sharks by a count of 7-4 with “Dizzy” Dan Antoniuk netting the first goal in franchise history. 

After opening their inaugural season with four straight road games, the Ironmen returned to Newark with a 3-1 record ready, to play their first-ever home contest at the friendly confines of Prudential Center.  With the legendary Pelé there to lead the way, the expansion side was greeted by an exuberant crowd of 13,249 fans for their home opener on December 1, 2007, hosting the Detroit Ignition.  After forward Gary Brooks hit the first goal ever scored at Prudential Center, Antoniuk proceeded to record a hat trick to lead the offense in a tight 8-6 victory.

The Ironmen continued to see success in their inaugural campaign and earned a berth to the MISL playoffs in just their first season.  The club faced the eventual champion Baltimore Blast in their first round series, falling two games to none.  Forward Nebo Stamenkovic took the honors of netting the first Ironmen playoff goal at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, where his late father’s retired jersey hung from the rafters.

Upon completion of the season, Antoniuk was selected to the All-MISL First Team, and Brazilian striker Frederico Moojen was awarded MISL Rookie of the Year accolades.  

The MISL then disbanded during the ensuing offseason, and the Ironmen became charter members of the newly-founded Xtreme Soccer League (XSL).  Heading into their sophomore campaign, the Ironmen joined the Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition and Milwaukee Wave in the establishment of the XSL.