Luana Grabias goal gives Brooklyn FC third consecutive win

Brooklyn FC ended their lease at Columbia University's Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium in style when forward Luana Grabias produced a composed finish from just outside the box in a 1-0 win over Spokane Zephyr FC on Thursday, October 31. It was her first goal for the club.

It was also the team's sixth victory of the season, and their last home match until March 15. That game will be played at the club's other venue, Maimonides Park in Coney Island.

Ultra-attacking is ultra-rewarding

BKFC opened with an aggressive game plan, keeping the ball in Spokane Zephyr FC's half for the majority of play early on and ceasing any counterattacking opportunities. The high-tempo style of play benefitted Brooklyn Head Coach Jessica Silva and her side early on, with Spokane's Taylor Almer being booked in only the 13th minute.

Just one minute later, a steal in the attacking third by midfielder Sam Kroeger led to a ball laid off to Grabias just outside of the box. Grabias quickly positioned herself atop the ball quickly and curled it in beautifully off her left foot into the goal, which she followed with a "cold" Cole Palmer celebration.

While the match didn't generate another goal after the composed 14' strike from Grabias, BKFC continued to apply pressure. The team finished the night with an astounding 15 shots and 5 shots on target compared to Spokane Zephyr's three shots and zero shots on goal. After the match, Silva paid many compliments to her players on the way they were able to execute her game plan to secure the three points.

"We wanted to close them down defensively so we can win the ball in their half. And I thought we did that," Silva said. "They didn't get any really dangerous opportunities, and that's thanks to our back-line, but also our midfield-line that was tracking back and getting those second balls. So as long as we're united out there and playing together, then we're gonna be a hard team to beat."

While this style of play is seen as more offensive-minded, it can only come to fruition with cohesion between the back-line and the midfield. Throughout the night, BKFC demonstrated this with multiple clean build-up plays starting from goalkeeper Sydney Martinez and developing into dangerous opportunities.

Especially along the right flank, where Sasha Pickard would creep up from the right-back position and overlap with club assist-leader forward Mackenzie George to dish dangerous possibilities into the box. This resulted in a 40% crossing accuracy and a total of five shots on target in all, while assuaging any danger from opponents.

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Luana Grabias strikes first

Grabias's first goal of the season helps Brooklyn lock down Second Place in the USL Super League. BKFC now have 20 points after 11 games, which puts them behind only Carolina Ascent FC, who have 20 points after 10 games. Dallas Trinity FC are in Third Place with 13 points after eight games.

But until Carolina beat DC Power FC on Sunday, Brooklyn were atop the USL Super League table for the first time this season.

"I've been trying every game to score a goal, so I'm really happy that I got the first one," Grabias said.

While it was Grabias' first goal, she had two big opportunities later in the match: A ball in the box that she mishit wide in the 33rd minute, and a shot that grazed off the post in the 68th minute. The Brazil native finished the match with three shots and one chance created before being subbed off in the 87th minute.

Composure is key

In the second half, the contest started to get more physical with Spokane Zephyr FC desperately trying to find a way back into the match.

From the 84th minute to the final whistle, a total of four bookings were handed out — with three of them going against BKFC. Spokane Zephyr FC forward McKenzie Weinert attempted to confront Brooklyn's Leah Scarpelli after a hard foul. Grabias tried to act as a mediator, and was shoved in the process.

"[Spokane Zephyr FC] were just chasing the game, trying to tie it up or get a goal. I think we handled it well. Our players were professional about it, and some yellow cards were thrown out, but I think we handled it well," Brooklyn defender Kelsey Hill said.

Both Weinert and Grabias received a booking for those extracurriculars. In the 86th minute, Isabel Cox's name was added to the referee's book along with Kess Elmore two minutes later from a couple of physical challenges. Nonetheless, BKFC were able to remain level-headed to secure the win at home.

The squad next face DC Power FC on Wednesday, November 13 at Audi Field. That will spearhead a six-match road trip that will include an 11-week hiatus that will last from the middle of December to the end of February.