Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club

What the club offers

The player pathway begins with the grassroots Scuola Calcio and pre-travel program, delivered in partnership with the Federation of Italian American Organizations (FIAO) with year-round sessions in modern facilities and a focus on technical skill, confidence, and enjoyment. Players who earn a spot through the club’s competitive tryout process, led by the Director of Coaching, can advance into the New York Red Bulls Academy Program for roughly U7–U12, where Red Bulls staff lead high-intensity training, goalkeeper work, conditioning, Red Bulls RDS sessions, regional league play, and select travel tournaments.

From about U13 through U19, Brooklyn Italians Academy forms the core elite track: highly competitive teams in leagues such as USL, top invitational tournaments, and steady high-level match exposure under the club’s technical leadership. At the top of the pyramid, selected athletes train and compete in the USL Academy League with an eye toward college and professional doors, supported by professional development ties that include New York Red Bulls and Cesena FC. Older players may also tap optional college guidance and recruitment support covering academics, eligibility, exposure, and placement, and the club partners with FirstPoint USA for a structured college-soccer recruitment pathway.

Travel ages and Red Bulls affiliation

Travel teams serve boys and girls born in the 2007–2016 range, with a pre-travel option for players born in 2017. Brooklyn Italians is the sole New York Red Bulls Academy Affiliate for the borough under the MLS Youth Affiliate Network, which brings shared talent identification, Red Bulls coaching education for Brooklyn Italians coaches, periodic scouting presence, extra training chances at the Red Bulls facility for top prospects, and tailored scheduling that can include matches against Red Bulls Academy sides. The affiliation does not add a separate registration surcharge on top of normal club registration; nonprofit fundraising and donations help keep annual registration affordable.

Scuola Calcio and seasonal registration

Scuola Calcio aims to build technically and cognitively advanced players in a fun, challenging setting that stays intentionally non-results-driven at the youngest ages. Recent cycles have trained at Calvert Vaux Park on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn with mid-week evening and weekend morning blocks split by birth-year groups. Registration flows through TeamSnap; use the active season’s registration link when you enroll. Il Centro members receive a discounted rate; for a recent spring season member and non-member rates were $350 and $415—always confirm the current season fee, schedule, and ball-size guidance before you pay. Questions about Il Centro codes or program detail can go to mgilbert@brooklynitalians.org.

Development philosophy and heritage

Brooklyn Italians puts long-term individual development first, pacing work to each athlete while nurturing love for the game, character, and life skills alongside tactical and technical growth. Entry-age programming stays development-centered rather than trophy-chasing, with structured yet flexible training, mutual respect among players, parents, and volunteers, and a history that includes two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (1979 and 1991) plus deep youth travel success across NPL, Cosmopolitan League, EDP, New York State Cup, and regional play.

Columbus Cup and community events

Brooklyn Italians also organizes the Columbus Cup, a major youth tournament that uses Calvert Vaux Park with on-site parking, concessions, NYU Langone athletic trainers, and committee-run check-in for visiting teams. Tournament registration questions typically go to mgilbert@brooklynitalians.org, and team payment options have included card, check, or money order, with the club’s phone line available for card payments when offered.

How to reach the club

Use the contact form at brooklynitalians.org for general messages, call +1 718-232-9435 for phone-based needs (including tournament payment when offered), email beckerson@brooklynitalians.org for club correspondence, or mgilbert@brooklynitalians.org for Scuola Calcio and Columbus Cup matters. Follow @bklynitalians on Instagram and Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club on Facebook for updates alongside email and registration links.