BROOKLYN CITY F.C. PREPARES FOR SEASON TWO

Ryan Wood | WPSL Correspondent

Just two weeks into its 2022 debut season in the WPSL, the expansion side came back from a goal down to draw Downtown United SC in a 1-1 game and blanked SUSA FC, 1-0, to claim the first of many wins in its new league. Brooklyn City F.C. went 5-1-2, finishing second to stalwart league leaders Downtown United SC – the two-year-running WPSL Franchise of the Year for its conference.

On the heels of its second season in the WPSL, Brooklyn City F.C. certainly has the confidence to return to the top of the table and possibly even knock off the defending Metropolitan Conference champs. DUSC handed BCFC its only loss of 2022 – edging Brooklyn City in the series with a win and draw.

Led by former USWNT goalkeeper and current NYU men’s head coach Kim Wyant, BCFC is making its final preparations before training begins ahead of its June 3rd season-opener at home against SUSA FC.

“We have a good core of kids, including our goalkeepers, and some players on the backline returning. I have a pretty good network. I know the players will show up. I get a good amount of correspondence throughout the year to keep them in mind. I know what kids are looking for – to stay connected with the ball over the summer.”

Returning to the fold for Brooklyn City F.C. are goalkeepers Carmen Proffitt (NYU women’s team assistant coach and former Brooklyn College star) and Klil Keshwar (St. Francis College – Brooklyn, Trinidad & Tobago Women’s National Team). Wyant also welcomes back Adelphi University defenders Morgan Salmon and Kayla Mushorn –  who she said have been with the club since its inception. Barbi Zagonyi (St. Francis College – Brooklyn), a key piece to the midfielder, is also back for the 2023 campaign.

Balancing a roster in a season that feels like it’s just getting started right as it ends can prove tricky, leading Wyant to stress the importance of depth.

“I’ve been doing this so long, I can say with a lot of certainties that a kid will have some weekends they’re not available or days of the week where their internship doesn’t allow them the time to play,” she said. “We do a survey at the beginning of the year where it’s ‘These are the days I can play and practice.’ That’s the biggest challenge.”

What Wyant can control, however, is the environment – one she looks to provide each summer.

“I want to make sure the players have some competitive games week in and week out,” she said. “Not one team is dominating (this conference). Hopefully, we will be able to maintain our quality and always put a competitive team out there. We’re always looking to be competitive. We always strive to hopefully provide them with a good experience. The club is very much behind the team. It’s just about providing a positive, enjoyable environment when these players come to us.”

Brooklyn City FC opens up the 2023 WPSL season June 3 (5 pm. ET) at SUSA Orlin and Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip, NY, taking on SUSA FC.

Downtown United Soccer Club kicks off the conference on June 2 at home against New York Athletic Club, while STA hosts New York Dutch Lions FC Saturday at 7:30 p.m.