The ladies of Brooklyn FC traveled to South Florida to face Fort Lauderdale United after sitting out last week with a bye. Both sides went into the match with identical records of 4W-6L-6D, although Brooklyn were ahead in the standings on goal differential, sitting in 7th Place.
They ended the day in the same spots on the table, after both sides finished with one point.
Brooklyn were coming off a gritty 1-1 draw on the road against Dallas Trinity to kick off the second half of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super Leage season, and were looking for just their second road win of the campaign. Fort Lauderdale were looking for their first win since November 8 of last year, and had a new head coach on the sidelines after dismissing Alissa “Ali” Rogers, with former goalkeeping coach Paul Jennison appointed caretaker.
Tense first half
Brooklyn started the match with high press, pushing defensively to make Fort Lauderdale uncomfortable while playing out from the back. Early fouls set the tone, including a first-minute free kick after Brooklyn midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe was fouled. Striker Samantha Kroeger delivered the ball, but Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper McKinley Crone collected it.
Not three minutes into the game, wingback Catherine Zimmerman nearly put Brooklyn on the board after intercepting the ball at the edge of Fort Lauderdale’s box, but her shot went inches wide. Both teams fought for control of momentum in the early going.
Fort Lauderdale looked to create progressive attacks along the right through wingback Ella Simpson and winger Jasmine Hamid, leading to a diagonal ball to left back Kelli Van Treeck, but goalkeeper Nicolette Pasquarella made an easy save in her Brooklyn debut. Pasquarella, a native of Ronkonkoma, NY, was a four-year starter for the SUNY Stony Brook women’s soccer team, with a college career total of 258 saves.
The physicality increased, with Fort Lauderdale's Abi Hugh and Brooklyn's Zimmerman receiving yellow cards within three minutes of each other. Both teams were playing aggressively, trying to gain any edge in momentum. But it was Fort Lauderdale that struck first, when midfielder Sh’nia Gordon found winger Sophie Harding in space, who connected with Hugh. The midfielder slotted the ball past the outstretched arms of Pasquarella to put the home side ahead.
Brooklyn responded in the 40th minute, when Kroeger delivered an inswinging corner that found the head of Zimmerman, who squeezed the ball through the legs of McKinley Crone to equalize.
Catherine Zimmerman scores to put Brooklyn FC on the board | Gainbridge Super League
Brooklyn had only 41 percent possession in the first half compared to Fort Lauderdale’s 59 percent, and both teams registered just one shot on target.
4 goals in 45'
Brooklyn Head Coach Tomás Tengarrinha made a substitution before the start of the second half, replacing midfielder Emma Loving, who was on a yellow card, with Mylena Freitas.
It was a smart move. Almost immediately after coming on, Freitas gave Brooklyn the lead after she jumped on a ball that Zimmerman sent into the box. It was her first goal of the season.
Mylena Freitas scores her first goal of the season for Brooklyn FC | Gainbridge Super League
It was Brooklyn's 19th second-half goal, the most in the Gainbridge Super League.
Fort Lauderdale continued to push for the equalizer, earning multiple corners. At the same time, Brooklyn attempted to extend their lead, with winger Antoinette Williams and Zimmerman creating opportunities, but neither resulted in a goal. But it was Fort Lauderdale that struck next, when Hamid connected with Hugh in the 63rd minute to level it 2-2.
That set the stage for a dramatic end to the game. In the 74th minute, Cooke was shown a second yellow card after she tripped Gordon. But despite being down a player, Brooklyn regained the lead in the 80th minute when Kroeger sent a ball into the box that defender Jordan Thompson headed into the goal.
Jordan Thompson puts Brooklyn FC ahead 3-2 | Gainbridge Super League
But the hosts kept up the pressure on Brooklyn's 10 players. In the 89th minute, Fort Lauderdale equalized once again. Defender Laveni Vaka connected with Simpson, who headed the ball past Pasquarella from close range to make it 3-3.
The score stood despite 10 minutes of stoppage time, with both teams ending the Valentine's Day contest with equal records.
Looking for a win
Brooklyn proved they can score on the road, and are capable of winning tough matches. At the same time, the club suffers a lack of discipline, as Brooklyn is one of the teams in the league with the most yellow cards. Cooke’s second yellow late in the game allowed Fort Lauderdale to steal a point at home.
Brooklyn will now take a four-week break before continuing their four-game road trip when they head to Spokane, WA, to face Spokane Zephyr FC on March 14 at 9 pm ET.
