Brooklyn, N.Y. (September 3, 2026) — Brooklyn FC Men head to Florida to take on the league leading Tampa Bay Rowdies on September 5 at 7:30 PM ET, streaming on ESPN+.
The two teams met earlier in June and the Tampa Bay Rowdies won 2-0 in Brooklyn with two goals in four minutes. Brooklyn had chances to come back in that match but could not find the back of the net at any point.
Tampa Bay are six points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference and have had a very successful 2026 season to this point. Their two main goal threats are forwards MD Myers, with nine goals, and Russel Cicerone, with six goals and both of them scored in the reverse fixture back in June. However, Tampa Bay has not scored in their last two matches, giving Brooklyn a bit of hope. With a win, the Rowdies would become the first team to clinch a playoff spot, so Brooklyn will be looking to play spoiler. Midfielder Charlie Ostrem has been another big part of the team, tied for the league lead with seven assists, and creating 29 chances. The defence has still been strong, with 11 clean sheets this season which are the most in the league, and have conceded the second-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn are coming off of a statement performance against Sporting JAX, where they won 4-1 and hope to carry the momentum from last week. Brooklyn have now played 20 matches this season and are at the two-thirds point of the season. The playoffs are still a possibility, but the team will need to have an extremely positive end to the season. The team will be without forward Markus Anderson after he was recalled from his loan at Brooklyn and sent to Danish Superliga side Lyngby Boldklub. Forwards Pierre Da Silva and JC Obregón will have added responsibility until the end of the season to get on the scoresheet. Midfielder CJ Olney Jr had a phenomenal performance against JAX which earned him a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week bench, getting a goal as well as his sixth assist of the season.
Brooklyn FC Men next have two matches at home, taking on Miami FC on September 12 at 7 PM ET. FC Tulsa will then visit Maimonides Park on September 19. Tickets are available on SeatGeek.
