New York’s New Club Brooklyn FC Making Football Affordable for All
By Ozzie White Sariñana
During a time when the game continues to grow in the US, the founders of Brooklyn Football Club have found a way to make soccer more accessible for all. “We started as a nonprofit where we wanted to include everyone who wanted to play without having the financial means to do so. We had several kids coming across town every day that had a huge lack of financial support,” says co-owner Michael Mansfield, who now runs Brooklyn FC II in the UPSL Northeast Premier Division.
Brooklyn FC II traces its roots directly to Two Bridges Football Club, a 100% no-pay-to-play nonprofit football club. Two Bridges was instrumental in providing a pathway for local youth to develop and progress to higher levels of the game. This vision and foundation from Two Bridges laid the groundwork for the creation of Brooklyn FC II, continuing the legacy of providing opportunities to those who may not otherwise have access to high-level soccer.
Founded in 2023, Brooklyn FC received financial backing from key local figures, including US Men’s National Team forward Timothy Weah, who supports the club’s mission. However, Two Bridges Football Club continues to survive solely on donations from the public and the support of Brooklyn FC, maintaining its original no-pay-to-play model.
The mission of Brooklyn FC II remains true to the ethos of Two Bridges: giving local youth a platform to showcase their ability and providing a pathway from grassroots football to professional opportunities. “Early on, we had to worry about the financial aspect, but generous donations from local supporters helped us keep going. We wanted to unite all the kids ready to play,” Mansfield explains.
The support received from the local community is a testament to the model and values set forth by Two Bridges Football Club. The communities represented and the diversity that unites them were key to the growth of this project. “We started with small donations that helped tremendously before developing into a fully operational football club,” says Mansfield.
Brooklyn FC II provides a platform for youth players to compete against high-level talent, thanks to the groundwork laid by Two Bridges. The UPSL Premier Division offers young stars the chance to shine in a competitive environment. Currently, the roster includes several 16 and 17-year-olds who are being integrated into UPSL games, giving them invaluable experience at a young age. “Recently, we hosted a huge exhibition match against Ecuadorian first-division team C.D. Cuenca. Our players, as young as 17, put on incredible performances. To see that was just amazing,” Mansfield adds.
The pipeline created by Two Bridges ensures that its players now have a pathway to playing for Brooklyn FC II and beyond, with opportunities to move up to the USL team. With hundreds of clubs in the US participating across the UPSL Premier Division, Division 1, Division II, and UPSL Academy, Mansfield believes Brooklyn FC II’s model perfectly aligns with the league’s vision: providing players with the opportunity to play football in every community.
Preseason preparations for Mansfield and his Brooklyn FC II team began just a few weeks ago in Hudson, New York, near Upper Bay, as they start their first campaign in the Premier Division Northeast Conference. They will face East Coast FC in their second match of the season later this week.
To stay updated on Brooklyn FC II and all other UPSL Premier Division sides, visit upsl.com. For upcoming Brooklyn FC fixtures, visit premier.upsl.com/schedule.