On a humid Saturday evening at Beyond Bancard Field in South Florida, Brooklyn FC drew Fort Lauderdale United 1-1, showing fight and resilience to earn a result against a team side that have been one of the most consistent in the Gainbridge Super League this season. It was not the victory Tomás Tengarrinha’s side have chased for more than two months, but it was a step forward for a group that continues to search for rhythm and results.
Brooklyn entered the match with a record of 1W-4D-4L, sitting in 8th Place and without a win since August 23. Fort Lauderdale, managed by Ali Rogers, came in on a hot streak with four wins in their last five, and are looking to strengthen their position in the top half of the table. The contrast in form was clear on paper, yet on the pitch, Brooklyn came out looking like a team with something to prove.
Brooklyn score early
Brooklyn’s energy was noticeable from the opening whistle. Their high press paid off in the seventh minute, when Fort Lauderdale failed to clear a loose ball near the box. BKFC forward Rebecca Cooke, who continues to be the team’s most reliable attacking option, pounced on the mistake. She sidestepped a defender and tucked the ball into the bottom right corner for her fourth goal of the season, and only first-half goal Brooklyn scored all year.
The early strike lifted Brooklyn’s confidence. Midfielder Jessica Garziano nearly doubled the lead just one minute later, lofting a pass into the box that almost connected with Cooke again. Brooklyn were sharp in transition and committed numbers forward, pressing Fort Lauderdale’s back line to disrupt their buildup play.
Rebecca Cooke scores first | Courtesy Brooklyn FC
But as the first half wore on, Fort Lauderdale slowly regained control of possession. Their wide players began finding space along the flanks, exploiting the gaps behind Brooklyn’s advanced midfielders. Fort Lauderdale midfielder Stella Nyamekye started dictating the tempo, linking well with captain Sh’nia Gordon and forward Kelli Van Treeck. Brooklyn’s defensive trio of Kelsey Hill, Annie Williams, and Jordan Thompson remained organized under pressure, but the home side eventually broke through.
In the 39th minute, Nyamekye delivered a precise free kick into the box. Van Treeck timed her run perfectly, poking the ball past goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty to level the match at 1-1. Fort Lauderdale finished the half with 75 percent possession, and seven shots on goal to Brooklyn’s five. Despite the imbalance, Brooklyn’s defensive shape held up long enough to keep them in the match heading into halftime.
Frustrated again on the road
Both managers made adjustments after the break. Brooklyn stayed in their 3-5-2 shape, while Fort Lauderdale continued with their balanced 4-4-2 that allowed them to stretch the field and attack in waves. Brooklyn introduced Leah Scarpelli to reinforce the back line, and later brought on Sofia Lewis and Mylena Freitas to inject energy into midfield. The changes helped stabilize the team’s structure even as fatigue began to show.
Fort Lauderdale pressed for a second goal through substitutes Jasmine Hamid and Darya Rajaee, who added pace and creativity. Their movement tested Brooklyn’s back three repeatedly, but Daugherty came up with key saves to keep the match level.
In the final fifteen minutes, the match turned into a physical battle. Brooklyn looked determined not to leave empty-handed, with Garziano and Freitas working tirelessly in midfield, while Hill and Williams absorbed pressure from repeated Fort Lauderdale crosses. But it wasn't to be. Brooklyn’s best late chance came in the 85th minute, when Freitas was brought down just outside the box, but the referee waved away calls for a penalty. Moments later, Samantha Kroeger’s free kick curled narrowly wide.
Tensions rose in stoppage time when Fort Lauderdale defender Taylor Smith received a red card for a late challenge on Williams, reducing the home side to ten players. Brooklyn pressed forward in the closing minutes, earning back-to-back corners, but could not find the finishing touch. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 1-1, a result that extended Brooklyn’s winless streak to ten matches. But it also showcased their grit and willingness to compete against one of the league’s most composed sides.
Home again, home again
Brooklyn’s 3-5-2 formation reflected their intent to press high and control the middle third. The setup provided flexibility in possession, allowing the midfield five to collapse defensively or push forward in numbers. However, it also left them vulnerable to wide attacks, which Fort Lauderdale exploited.
The system suits a team with athletic wing-backs and forwards capable of pressing from the front, both traits Brooklyn displayed in flashes. Fort Lauderdale’s 4-4-2 was steady and balanced. Once their midfield settled, they dictated the rhythm through Nyamekye and González, while Gordon and Van Treeck worked effectively in tandem up front. The shape allowed them to control possession but also left their full-backs exposed at times when Brooklyn countered.
Brooklyn now hold a record of 1-5-4, moving to seventh place in the Super League table. The club will return home to Maimonides Park on Saturday, November 8, to host DC Power, another team near the bottom half of the standings.
Tengarrinha’s side will hope to finally break this winless streak and log three points at last. To do that, they will need for Cooke to come through again. Her fourth goal of the campaign keeps her among the league’s most consistent finishers.
