Brooklyn, NY. (August 13th, 2026) – Brooklyn FC Women kick off the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Sprint Season on the road this weekend, taking on reigning champions Lexington SC on August 15th at 7:00 PM ET. The match is streaming on Peacock.
Brooklyn heads into the Sprint Season with several changes from last year. The club has brought in coach Alex Smith from Brisbane Roar who had plenty of success during his tenure in the Australian A-League. Several key players from last season are returning including forward Catherine Zimmerman, midfielder Jess Garziano and defender Annie Williams-Arlington. Last season’s top scorer forward Rebecca Cooke also returns to the club but she will miss the entire season due to a torn ACL. Zimmerman will be very important to the team in Cooke’s absence, looking to add to the six goals she scored last season. Midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe is back with Brooklyn as well but will miss this match after representing Ghana at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The new faces at the club are headlined by forwards Tziarra King and Carlee Giammona, along with midfielder Sophia Lowenberg. King and Giammona each bring plenty of professional experience, King with her time in the NWSL with the Seattle Reign, and Giammona spent time playing in Mexico, Scotland and won the inaugural Super League with the Tampa Bay Sun. Lowenberg comes in on loan from NWSL side Boston Legacy and will look to bring composure to the Brooklyn midfield. Also joining are defenders Jackie Richards and Laila Booker, as well as midfielders Jilly Shimkin and Ashlyn Miller, who played together at the University of Texas. Miller has followed Alex Smith to Brooklyn after spending the last year with him at Brisbane.
Lexington had an extremely successful season in 2025/26 under head coach Kosuke Kimura, winning the Players’ Shield for having the best regular-season record and then winning their first Gainbridge Super League title in club history. A large number of players from last season’s championship team have returned including the attacking trio of Catherine Barry, Mackenzie Weinert and Addie McCain. Barry scored 17 goals last season, the most ever in a single Super League season while Weinert and McCain each hit double digits as well, 11 and 10 goals respectively. Defensively, former Brooklyn defender Allison Pantuso was a mainstay at the back for Lexington, whch conceded the fewest amount of goals in the league last season, just 24 in 28 matches.
In the shortened Sprint Season with just 14 matches, every point matters, and Brooklyn will be looking to make a statement against the reigning champions. The club is looking to earn its first win at Lexington SC’s stadium. They will hope their defence can stay solid while the new attack gels and creates some surprises on the opening night of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season.
Next week, Brooklyn FC Women will celebrate their home opener against DC Power FC on August 21 at 7:30 PM ET. After that, they have two matches on the road against Fort Lauderdale United FC and Dallas Trinity FC. Tickets are available on SeatGeek.Next week, Brooklyn FC Women will celebrate their home opener for the season against DC Power FC on August 21 at 7:30 PM ET. After that they have two matches on the road against Fort Lauderdale United FC and Dallas Trinity FC. Tickets are available on SeatGeek.
