Brooklyn FC closed out 2025 on a high note after defeating Tampa Bay Sun FC 3-0 in Florida on Saturday, December 13. It isn't just Brooklyn's fourth win of the year, it's the club's first win on the road, and the first decided by multiple goals.
The result gives the improving team a much-needed lift as BKFC pause their season until January 31, first sitting next weekend with a bye, then waiting out the start of winter as the entire Gainbridge Superleague takes a six-week hiatus.
With the win, Brooklyn climb one spot on the Superleague table to 6th Place, with 17 points after 15 games. That puts BKFC just two points behind Dallas Trinity FC in 4th Place and the postseason cutoff, with 13 games left in the 28-match season.
Scoreless at the half
The opening moments of the match were frenetic, with both teams immediately attempting to establish control. The ball bounced around midfield in the opening seconds before Tampa Bay earned a goal kick, setting the tone for a match filled with contested second balls and aggressive challenges.
Tampa Bay attempted to build from the back early, receiving multiple throw-ins and free kicks in Brooklyn’s half. Brooklyn goalkeeper Breanna Norris was called into action early, confidently collecting two early free kicks aimed toward her box. Tampa Bay utilized a high press to disrupt Brooklyn’s buildup and force mistakes.
Tampa Bay's Sydney Schneider makes a save | Courtesy Gainbridge Superleague
Brooklyn’s first meaningful attacking sequence arrived in the fifth minute when Rebecca Cooke carried the ball into the left side of Tampa Bay’s penalty area. Cooke took on defenders at close range before striking the ball, but her effort went into the side netting. Four minutes later, Brooklyn nearly broke the deadlock. Following a strong defensive stop, BKFC's Catherine Zimmerman stepped into space at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike. Tampa Bay goalkeeper Sydney Schneider reacted quickly, getting a glove to the ball and pushing it over the bar for a corner. Samantha Kroeger’s ensuing delivery caused chaos in the box before Tampa Bay eventually cleared.
Tampa Bay’s most dangerous moments of the half came through quick transitions and diagonal balls aimed at winger Sydny Nasello. In the 17th minute, Tampa Bay striker Emma Gaines-Ramos attempted to release Nasello into space, but Brooklyn’s back line reacted quickly to shut down the chance. Minutes later, Nasello again looked to use her pace, drawing a foul and earning a free kick for the home side.
As the half wore on, the match became increasingly physical. Brooklyn winger Nayeong Shin received a yellow card in the 24th minute for a foul on Tampa Bay defender Mackenzie Pluck. Tampa Bay followed with another free kick that drifted harmlessly behind Brooklyn’s goal. Tampa Bay defender Brooke Hendrix was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute, and then BKFC midfielder Hope Breslin was whistled for a foul following a risky sliding challenge.
Brooklyn were forced into an early substitution in the 34th minute when right back Leah Scarpelli went down with a lower leg issue. Mylena Freitas entered the match, adding energy and stability to the midfield.
Tampa Bay nearly capitalized late in the half. In the 40th minute, Nasello dribbled into Brooklyn’s box and slipped a perfectly weighted pass to winger Tash Flint, whose shot struck the outside of the post, narrowly missing the opening goal. Just minutes later, Cooke was fouled aggressively near goal by Tampa Bay captain Jordyn Listro, sparking a brief confrontation as tensions boiled over.
After four minutes of stoppage time, the halftime whistle sounded with neither side able to break through. Brooklyn held 54 percent possession in the first half, with both teams recording one shot on target and two yellow cards.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Second-half breakthrough
Brooklyn began the second half with a clear tactical adjustment, applying a much higher press and forcing Tampa Bay into making hurried decisions. That pressure paid immediate dividends.
Just one minute and 30 seconds into the second half, Cooke collected the ball and slipped a perfectly timed pass into space for Catherine Zimmerman, who made a decisive run behind the defense. Zimmerman sent the ball past the lunging goalkeeper to give Brooklyn the lead.
Catherine Zimmerman opens the scoring for Brooklyn FC | Courtesy Gainbridge Superleague
Incredibly, the goal marked Brooklyn’s second-fastest of the season — the team have just one first-half goal in 15 games. It was also Zimmerman’s third goal against Tampa Bay in the three matches played between the two sides this season.
Brooklyn nearly doubled the lead moments later when Cooke drove into the box again and found winger Jessica Garziano, but Tampa Bay's Schneider was quick off her line to smother the chance. Tampa Bay attempted to respond through Nasello’s dribbling and Gaines-Ramos's movement, but Brooklyn's Norris remained composed in goal, collecting crosses and shutting down shooting lanes.
In the 58th minute, Brooklyn struck again from a set piece. Kroeger delivered a curling corner into the box that was deflected. Breslin reacted the quickest, sneaking into a narrow pocket of space and toe poking the ball into the net to make it 2–0.
Hope Breslin scores for Brooklyn FC | Courtesy Gainbridge Superleague
Tampa Bay tried to get back into the game by making multiple substitutions, but Brooklyn continued to control the tempo. In the 70th minute, Brooklyn produced their most complete attacking sequence of the night. Garziano initiated the buildup on the left side, drawing defenders before playing the ball across goal to Freitas. The midfielder spotted Zimmerman drifting into space and delivered the final pass.
Catherine Zimmerman gets her brace | Courtesy Gainbridge Superleague
Zimmerman showed remarkable composure, delicately lifting the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to complete her brace — it was the first of a professional career that dates to her debut with Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) in 2016. Zimmerman now has four goals this season, with all of them coming against Tampa Bay.
Despite late efforts from Ava Tankersley and Carlee Giammona, Brooklyn’s defensive structure held firm. Norris made a pair of late collections to preserve the clean sheet as Tampa Bay’s frustration grew in the closing minutes.
Tyrese Alleyne-Davis
Next Up: A 7-week break
Brooklyn closed out 2025 with authority, delivering their most complete road performance of the season. Zimmerman’s brace proved to be decisive, and symbolized Brooklyn's improving attack. The midfield pairing of Kroeger and Cudjoe controlled the center of the pitch, while captain Kelsey Hill and Lauren Gogal anchored a disciplined back line in front of Norris.
The victory improves Brooklyn’s record to 4W-5D-6L, while Tampa Bay fall to 1W-7D-5L, and remain winless at home this season.
Brooklyn will now head into the winter break with momentum before opening the second half of the season on the road against Dallas Trinity at Cotton Bowl Stadium on January 31, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 pm ET in the first of four consecutive road games.
