Brooklyn, NY. (August 29th, 2026) – Brooklyn FC Men convincingly beat Sporting JAX 4-1, with three goals coming in the first half. The team broke a four match losing streak in front of a crowd celebrating Paws to the Pitch Night.
Brooklyn FC got off to a fast start courtesy of midfielder Peter Mangione. A cut back from forward Markus Anderson from the right side of the field found Mangione making a late run into the box. Mangione, who celebrated his birthday this week, also scored in the first meeting between the two clubs earlier this year in Florida.
After the goal, Jacksonville controlled possession for some time but was unable to create any meaningful chances.
In the 27th minute, the birthday boy Mangione got his second of the game. Midfielder CJ Olney Jr clipped a cross to the back post which again found Mangione making a late run who headed the ball into the back of the net.
The Brooklyn attack continued working and the score became 3-0 in the 35th minute. A big block and tackle from defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele allowed the team to win the ball back. Olney got his second assist of the match by playing a perfect ball over the top to send Anderson through on goal. Anderson, who assisted the first goal, muscled off a defender and volleyed the ball with the outside of his boot to get a goal himself, his sixth of the USL Championship season.
The team nearly found a fourth goal just before halftime, in the 44th minute. Another cross found the head of forward Pierre Da Silva, but it went just wide, and the team went into the break up 3-0.
At halftime, the Brooklyn crowd welcomed actor and comedian Kal Penn, known for projects like the Harold and Kumar franchise, House, and How I Met Your Mother, to the pitch. Two groups of fans competed in the first ever BKFC Hot Dog Race to entertain the crowd.
Sporting JAX got their opening goal in the 71st minute, a shot from forward Kieran Sadlier deflected off a Brooklyn player and into the back of the net to ruin the clean sheet.
Brooklyn responded nearly immediately, as CJ Olney scored his own goal after getting two assists earlier. A long ball sent Olney through on goal, and the JAX keeper saved his initial shot. Olney stayed composed to win the rebound, get past the keeper, and squeeze the ball past a defender on the line.
Both teams continued attacking and in the 82nd minute, Brooklyn goalkeeper Jaxkson Lee made a huge save, pushing the ball over the goal after another shot was deflected. Brooklyn forward JC Obregón also had a shot on target saved by a strong leg from the JAX goalkeeper.
Brooklyn FC were able to close out the victory and send the supporters home happy, with a 4-1 win.
SCORING SUMMARY
Brooklyn FC: Peter Mangione 8’, 27’, Markus Anderson 35’, CJ Olney Jr 78’
Sporting JAX: Kieran Sadlier 71’
DISCPLINE
Brooklyn FC: N/A
Sporting JAX: Ventura Alvarado 39’ (Yellow), Emil Jääskeläinen 64’ (Yellow), Jean Mota 66’ (Yellow), Edgardo Rito 90+2’ (Yellow)
LINEUPS
Brooklyn FC – Jackson Lee; Ryan McLaughlin (Rocco Romeo 77’), Gabriel Alves, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Vuk Latinovich, PeterMangione (Tommy McNamara 67’), Pierre Da Silva (Stefan Stojanovic 67’), Taimu Okiyoshi, Jaden Servania (Callum Frogson 77’), CJ Olney Jr., Markus Anderson (JC Obregón 71’).
Unused Substitutes: Lukas Burns, So Nishikawa.
Sporting JAX – Jake McGuire; Marcus Godinho (Kieran Sadlier 55’), Ventura Alvarado (Antonio Gomez 84’), Ryan Edwards, Edgardo Rito, Ahmad Al Qaq (Adam Luckhurst 84’), Jordan Rossiter, Harvey Neville, Emil Jääskeläinen (Evans 64’), Wan Kuzain (Rafferty Pedder 68’), Jean Mota.
Unused Substitutes: Christian Olivares, Danny Wilson, Jacob Evans.
UP NEXT FOR BROOKLYN FC MEN
Brooklyn FC Men head south to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies, one of the oldest clubs in the USL Championship. The match takes place on September 5 at 7:30 PM ET. They will return home to face another Florida club, Miami FC on September 12. Multiple home match ticketing options, including multi-game and single-game, are available. Tickets are available on SeatGeek.
