On Sunday afternoon, a new era for soccer in Brooklyn began at Maimonides Park in Coney Island. In front of a crowd of roughly 4,000 supporters, Brooklyn FC’s men’s team played its first match in club history, defeating Indy Eleven 1–0 in its USL Championship debut.
Anticipation had been building for years after the club first announced plans to launch a men’s side in 2023. Originally, the team was going to compete in the third-tier USL League One, but that was changed to the second-tier USL Championship in 2024. The club launched the women's team that same year, and they are now past the midway point of their second season in the first-tier Gainbridge Super League.
But the rollout of the men's team was delayed from 2025 to 2026, with the club hiring general manager and president Brian McBride, one of the most decorated American forwards in soccer history with successful spells at Fulham, Everton, and the Chicago Fire, last October, and Marlon LeBlanc, the former West Virginia University men’s soccer coach who led Philadelphia Union II to an MLS NEXT Pro championship in 2024 and previously coached the United States U-18 men’s national team, as the first men's coach only in December. The men's team made its first signings in mid-January, and adding more players to the roster up through last week.
Tyrese Alleyne-Davis
Brooklyn FC: Forging an identity
Speaking with Hudson River Blue in December, LeBlanc described his approach to building the roster.
“My team and I are turning over every stone, looking at every corner of the soccer world for a good mix of young talent and veteran talent. We want players who embody not only the hard-working grittiness of the borough of Brooklyn, but we also want players who can play confidently on both sides of the ball,” LeBlanc said.
“We want to play a winning style of football. We want to come out and play aggressively, and even if in some matches we get punched in the mouth, we want other teams to know we’ll be punching them right back.”
That identity was evident from the opening whistle on Sunday. Brooklyn wasted no time asserting themselves: The home side immediately pressed high and played aggressively, using quick diagonal switches to stretch the Indy Eleven defense.
In the opening minute, Brooklyn defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele attempted to create an early opportunity, signaling the attacking intent. By the second minute, Brooklyn’s high defensive line and pressing game were already disrupting Indy’s build-up play. Midfielder Christopher Olney Jr. delivered a well-placed ball into the box toward Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. in the fourth minute, but Indy goalkeeper Eric Dick came off his line to collect it.
Brooklyn continued to apply pressure, earning multiple corners inside the opening ten minutes. Obregón stood over a corner and played it short to Tommy McNamara, who delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Defender Vuk Latinovich attempted to curl a shot toward the top corner but narrowly missed.
Brooklyn’s aggressive defensive shape suffocated Indy’s attack early in the match. Passing lanes were limited, and Brooklyn players showed a willingness to battle physically for every ball.
The breakthrough finally came in the 24th minute.
Forward Peter Mangione was brought down inside the penalty area after a strong challenge from the Indy defense. Referee Jeremy Scheer immediately pointed to the spot.
Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. stepped up for the historic moment
The forward calmly lifted his penalty kick past the outstretched arms of the 6-foot-5 Eric Dick, scoring the first goal in Brooklyn FC men’s team history.
The milestone goal was fitting for Obregón, who won the USL League One Golden Boot in 2025 and had also scored the first goal in the history of his previous club, Westchester SC. Because of his play, Obregón's was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week.
Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. scores the first goal in Brooklyn FC history | Courtesy Brooklyn FC
Indy Eleven responds
Indy nearly responded quickly.
In the 27th minute, Indy midfielder Bruno Rendón drove forward and fired a shot from outside the box that ricocheted off the post.
Later in the half, Indy created another dangerous opportunity in the 44th minute when Rendón slipped a pass behind Brooklyn’s defense to Charlie Sharp, but the striker could not keep his balance long enough to finish the chance.
After two minutes of stoppage time, Brooklyn carried their 1–0 lead into halftime.
Brooklyn opened the second half with the same relentless energy that defined the start of the game.
Indy Eleven attempted to build momentum through set pieces and corners, but Brooklyn goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich remained alert, making several key interventions to maintain the clean sheet.
In the 53rd minute, Mangione nearly doubled Brooklyn’s lead when he headed the ball toward goal, but Eric Dick reacted quickly to collect it.
Indy came closest to equalizing in the 54th minute, when Bruno Rendón unleashed a powerful shot that struck the crossbar.
Brooklyn responded by making key substitutions in the 57th minute, bringing on Rocco Romeo and Ryan McLaughlin for Tommy McNamara and So Nishikawa.
Later changes saw Abdoulaye Kanté, Jaden Servania, and Shaan Hundal enter the match as Brooklyn sought to maintain defensive control.
Tempers began to flare in the closing stages, with multiple yellow cards issued. Ryan McLaughlin, Taimu Okiyoshi, Gabriel Alves, and Jaden Servania were all booked for Brooklyn.
Despite sustained pressure from Indy Eleven late in the match, Brooklyn’s defense held firm.
When the final whistle sounded, the score remained 1–0
Tyrese Alleyne-Davis
Andrew Leigh
Historic three points
The victory marked the first win in Brooklyn men’s team history, and the first three points of the club’s inaugural USL Championship season.
Beyond the result, the match symbolized something larger.
For the players, the supporters, and the residents of Coney Island and Brooklyn, the game represented the start of a new chapter in the borough’s sporting identity.
If Sunday’s performance was any indication, Brooklyn FC’s men’s team intends to bring a relentless, hard-nosed style of soccer that mirrors the spirit of the borough it represents.
And on a historic afternoon at Maimonides Park, that journey officially began.
