The Women’s Game is an exclusive editorial series written by writer, broadcaster, and former college and pro soccer player Renee Washington for BrooklynFootballClub.com. Each week, Renee goes behind the scenes with Brooklyn FC Women, giving unique insights into the squad and sharing stories of the people behind the crest.
Brooklyn FC Women’s midfielder Carlee Giammona is no stranger to changing scenery.
The Littleton, Colorado, native left home as a teenager to play college soccer at the University of Alabama, then transferred to Pepperdine University in Southern California.
Then, in 2023, after finishing college, her first professional opportunity arrived. It wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was a cultural shift.
Monterrey, Mexico, is roughly 1,200 miles by car from the Denver area where she grew up. When she joined local powerhouse CF Monterrey, the challenge of playing in a foreign country and adapting to an unfamiliar culture became clear during her very first training session.
“I still remember showing up to my first training session and not understanding a single word the coaches were saying or what most of my teammates were talking about,” Giammona recalls. “I think that was the moment I realized just how much I was going to have to figure out on my own.”
The adjustment did not end when training was over. Giammona was trying to develop as a professional player while learning how to live in a new country.
“Not only was I trying to become the best player I could be, but I also had to learn how to navigate everyday life in a completely different country,” she says. “Looking back, I think that experience changed me more than anything. It taught me how to adapt, become independent, and be comfortable in situations that were completely unfamiliar to me.”
Over the course of her one season with las Rayadas, she made 34 appearances, scored 9 goals, and helped the club reach the semifinals of the league playoffs.
Giammona’s time abroad continued when she joined Glasgow City in Scotland and made 11 appearances over half a season. Her international adventures were never easy, but they helped shape her as a person and a player.
“I learned that I was capable of figuring things out even when they felt overwhelming at first, and that’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career and life,” she says, proudly.
A Championship Built Together
In the summer of 2024, after the Scottish Women’s Premier League season finished, Giammona signed with Tampa Bay Sun FC as the new club prepared for the Gainbridge Super League’s inaugural season.
Although it was another new environment, being back in the United States provided a more familiar setting. Plus, she was part of building something — a new team in a new professional league.
Very quickly, she became an integral part of the club as it established a culture that would ultimately lead to its winning the league’s inaugural championship in 2025.
“One moment that I’ll never forget is scoring the winning goal in the semifinals with Tampa Bay Sun,” she says. “I remember just feeling like all the hard work I had put in that year was so worth it.
“Being able to make a difference for my team in such an important game was honestly one of the best feelings.”
The goal was the culmination of a season shaped by a close-knit group, with players building something together from the club’s earliest days.
“I think what made that moment even more special was the group of girls I got to experience it with,” she says. “Throughout the entire season, we really stuck together, supported each other, and played for one another.
“I truly believe that’s why we were able to go on and win the championship.”
For Giammona, the trophy represented more than a personal highlight. It was the reward for a shared commitment established throughout that first season.
“That experience taught me how important it is to have people around you who believe in each other and are all working toward the same goal,” she said. “Obviously, scoring that goal was an amazing personal moment, but being able to celebrate everything we accomplished together as a team meant even more to me.”
After one more season with Tampa Bay, the time came for Giammona, who made 49 appearances and scored 12 goals for the club, to change her scenery again.
A New Chapter in Brooklyn
Last summer, as Brooklyn FC Women began taking shape under new General Manager Samantha Johnson and Head Coach Alex Smith, Giammona decided to join the effort to help build the culture at another club. Her world travels and title-winning experience made her an important part of the project — and gave her another place to embrace as home.
“I’ve been lucky enough to live in a few different places throughout my soccer career, and one of my favorite things about moving somewhere new is getting to explore, try new restaurants, and find my favorite little spots around the city,” she says. “I really just enjoy meeting new people, having fun, and making the most of wherever I am.”
On the field, Giammona has become a key part of BKFC Women’s first campaign under Smith. She’s appeared in 11 of 12 matches, with 6 starts and 2 goals, including a last-second equalizer against league leaders Carolina Ascent FC a few weeks ago.
Shark, Minnow and a Love Of Animals
Wherever soccer takes Giammona, her family remains an important part of her life.
“My fiancé and I have two little wiener dogs named Shark and Minnow, and they’re honestly such a big part of our lives,” she says.
Her affection for animals extends beyond her own pets. Giammona has supported projects connected to a nonprofit her sister founded to save dogs from euthanasia and advocate for animal welfare.
“I’ve been lucky enough to help her with different projects and work alongside some really amazing brands to raise awareness and support the cause,” she says. “I’m incredibly proud of my sister and the difference she’s making in these animals’ lives. Seeing everything she’s accomplished has been really inspiring.”
As if Giammona needs to be inspired. Given her proven ability to adapt and succeed everywhere she’s gone, she seems to be doing well in that area already. From the uncertainty of that first training session in Mexico to a championship with Tampa Bay to the excitement of playing in Brooklyn, Giammona’s journey highlights an important aspect of professional soccer: a change of scenery is really just an opportunity for a new perspective.
DID YOU KNOW?
When Giammona and her fiancé took Shark and Minnow to the beach in Florida, calling “Shark!” attracted some confused looks. “We definitely got some funny looks from people around us because we were literally yelling ‘Shark!’ at the beach,” she recalls. “It’s still something we laugh about.”
Up NeXT
Despite a midweek setback, Brooklyn FC Women are still in the playoff hunt. Next up is a trip to Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday, November 21. The match kicks off at 6:30 PM and streams live on Peacock.
The next home match is the regular season finale on Saturday, November 28, when BKFC host Lexington SC on Fan Appreciation Night. The match kicks off at 6:00 PM.
