On a breezy 64-degree Saturday afternoon at Maimonides Park, Brooklyn FC finally found their breakthrough moment this season. After nine straight winless outings, Head Coach Tomás Tengarrinha’s side defeated DC Power FC, led by Head Coach Omid Namazi, 1–0, behind a relentless high press and a first-time finish from defender Leah Scarpelli. The victory, Brooklyn’s first since August 23, came in front of an energized home crowd celebrating Paws at the Pitch and Croatian Heritage Day.
Brooklyn entered the match in search of their first win since a 2–1 road victory over Tampa Bay Sun FC. The club’s recent 1–1 draw against Fort Lauderdale United left them sitting in 8th Place in the Gainbridge Super League standings with a record of 1W-5D-4L. DC Power arrived on the heels of a 3–2 road win over Dallas Trinity FC, powered by goals from Gianna Gourley and Jaydah Bedoya, which placed them in 6th Place with a record of 2W-2D-5L.
Andrew Leigh
Tense first half
Brooklyn lined up in a 3-5-2 formation anchored by goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty behind defenders Leah Scarpelli, Kelsey Hill, and Annie Williams. The midfield featured Samantha Kroeger, Mylena Freitas, Hope Breslin, Jessica Garziano, and Jordan Thompson, with Rebecca Cooke and Catherine Zimmerman leading the attack.
DC Power countered with a 3-4-2-1 formation featuring Morgan Aquino in goal behind Susanna Fitch, Sydney Cummings, and Paige Almendariz. The midfield included Katie Duong, Alexis Theoret, Anna Bagley, and Ellie Gilbert, while Jaydah Bedoya and Gianna Gourley supported Madison Murnin as the advanced playmaker.
From the opening whistle, Brooklyn’s high defensive press disrupted DC’s rhythm and forced several early turnovers. In the third minute, Jessica Garziano intercepted a pass in midfield and slipped a ball forward to Zimmerman, whose curling shot grazed the top corner. Moments later, Brooklyn's Cooke linked up with Freitas down the left channel to draw a save from Aquino.
DC’s best chance came in the 17th minute when Bedoya ran onto a through ball from Theoret, but Daugherty came off her line to deny the forward. Brooklyn’s defensive trio of Hill, Williams, and Scarpelli stayed compact and organized, limiting DC’s ability to connect through the middle third.
Things grew testy on the field. At the half-hour mark, DC Power's Almendariz received a yellow card for a late challenge. Then just before halftime, teammate Duong was booked after bringing down Cooke on a counterattack. DC held 69 percent possession in the first half compared to Brooklyn’s 37 percent, yet Brooklyn produced six shots to DC’s two. The sides went into halftime even at 0-0, with Brooklyn’s organization and counterattack keeping them competitive.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Tyrese Alleyne-Davis
Scarpelli delivers
Brooklyn broke the deadlock in the 49th minute. Following a well-executed set piece, Breslin sent a curling ball into the box that deflected toward Kroeger, who calmly laid it back to Scarpelli at the top of the area. The fullback struck cleanly with her right foot, driving the ball low into the far corner past Aquino to give Brooklyn the lead. The goal marked Scarpelli’s second of the season and gave Brooklyn a long-awaited boost of confidence.
Leah Scarpelli scores for Brooklyn FC | Courtesy Gainbridge Super League
The goal shifted the momentum. Freitas, returning from a minor leg injury, began dictating the tempo before being replaced in the 59th minute by Nayeong Shin. Coach Tengarrinha’s decision to add a defensive presence helped Brooklyn absorb pressure as DC increased its attacking urgency.
In the 63rd minute, Head Referee Luis Diego Arroyo issued a yellow card to the Brooklyn FC bench following protests over a missed foul near midfield. The booking added intensity to an already physical contest.
Daugherty, earning her first clean sheet of the season, delivered several key stops. Her most important came in the 70th minute when she denied substitute Loza Abera from close range. Soon after, Garziano was replaced by Sofia Lewis, and Cooke, Brooklyn’s leading scorer with four goals, made way for Ana Marković to provide fresh energy up front.
The final stretch saw DC commit players forward in search of an equalizer. DC Power's Constant was booked in the 83rd minute for a foul on Scarpelli, who later received treatment for a cramp before returning to the pitch. In stoppage time, Emily Colton delivered a dangerous corner that created chaos in the six-yard box, but Annie Williams cleared the ball away to preserve the win. Head Referee Arroyo ended the match after four minutes of added time.
In the second half, Brooklyn held 32 percent possession while DC Power controlled 68 percent, but Brooklyn made the most of its opportunities. The hosts recorded 14 total shots, including four on target, compared to DC’s nine total attempts. While DC enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the match, Brooklyn’s ability to stay compact defensively and create high-quality chances from limited buildup play proved decisive.
Daugherty finished with eight saves and her first clean sheet of the campaign. The back line of Hill, Williams, and Scarpelli stood strong, cutting off DC’s crossing lanes and maintaining structure under late pressure.
No longer winless in Coney Island
The result lifted Brooklyn's record to 2W-5D-4L, giving them 11 points through 11 matches. BKFC now sit in 6th Place in the Gainbridge Super League standings, within two spots of playoff contention, which DC Power fell to 7th Place.
The result ended Brooklyn’s nine-match winless streak and showcased the team’s growing chemistry under Tengarrinha. Brooklyn will look to continue its momentum next weekend when it hosts league-leading Lexington SC on Saturday, November 15, at 3 pm ET at Maimonides Park.
