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The subway poster that first caught my eye |
Arriving early paid off—when the gates opened, we were literally the first fans inside.
The afternoon began almost by accident. A few weeks earlier, I had noticed an advertisement for the match in a subway station and mentioned it to friends. Before long, we were standing outside the gate on opening day.
Founded in 2024, Brooklyn FC has adopted colors—black, brown, and taupe—said to reflect the borough itself: the brownstone buildings, the limestone of the Brooklyn Bridge, and perhaps even the blacktop streets and tar-beach rooftops of its neighborhoods.
Roughly 1,000 people turned out for the occasion. Fans were welcomed with free hats, stickers, a hot dog, and a non-alcoholic drink. I added a scarf to the collection.
The match delivered its own piece of history in the 26th minute when Carlos Obregón Jr. converted a penalty, giving Brooklyn a 1–0 victory over visiting Indy Eleven. The team celebrated beneath the towering Parachute Jump along the boardwalk—one of Coney Island’s most recognizable landmarks.
What struck me most was the simple pleasure of finally having a local club worth supporting. It’s the first American team I’ve felt inclined to follow since the original New York Cosmos. I briefly considered rooting for the modern Cosmos—until I learned they now play across the river in Paterson, New Jersey.
Forza Brooklyn!
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, March 9th, Feast of Santa Francesca Romana
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| First at the gate |
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| (L) The defunct Parachute Jump, a historic landmark along the Coney Island Boardwalk. (R) A sticker bearing the team's logo, which resembles the Brooklyn Bridge |
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| A complimentary baseball cap given to fans |
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| We broke our Lenten fast with a free Nathan's Famous hotdog |
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| Brooklyn’s newest firm arrives properly kitted out |
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| (L) Our pal Rocco was chosen to escort the players onto the field and serve as a ball boy. (R) Later, getting a little too rowdy, Rocco showed me a yellow card. |
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| Watching both teams warm up before kickoff |
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| A look at the stadium from the field |
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| The historic goooooooooal by Obregón Jr. |
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| Action in front of the home end beneath the Curva Sud |
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| Ball boy Rocco gets his moment to shine |
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| Full time: Brooklyn FC 1-0 Indy Eleven |
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| Brooklyn Win! |
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| After the match, Rocco Romeo and his teammates greeted young fans and signed autographs |
