Cover credit – Instagram @nicolettepasquarella
Professional soccer has made its way to Brooklyn, and a Long Island native is right there with it. Nicolette Pasquarella has signed a rookie contract with Brooklyn FC of the United Soccer League (USL).
Brooklyn FC is one of over 50 teams in the USL, spanning across the United States and Canada. The club was established in 2024 and began play in the Gainbridge Super League, which is composed of eight teams.
“Having a professional team in Brooklyn, and being its head coach, is a feeling of not only pride, but also of responsibility. Brooklyn has a strong culture of hard work, effort, and dedication, so it’s my responsibility as a coach not to fall short of the expectations of those who support us,” said Head coach Tomas Tengarrinha.
Nicolette ‘Nikki’ Pasquarella is Long Island born and raised, having grown up in Ronkonkoma and attended Connetquot High School. Pasquarella had her choice of positions as a kid and ultimately chose goalkeeper. She went on to become a four-year letterwinner for the T-Birds and picked up a few accolades along the way. Pasquarella earned All-Division honors in 2019 and All-County honors in 2020. The keeper became the first player in New York State to achieve Suffolk County, Long Island, and NYS Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
“Pasquarella will bring youth and talent to our team. It is very important for us to have players who also represent our community, who are local, and that’s why Nikki has our full confidence regarding her potential and what she can contribute to the team,” Tengarrinha told The Messenger.
Pasquarella stayed close to home for college, attending Stony Brook University and playing Division I soccer for the Seawolves. The goalkeeper saw time in the net in 59 games, finishing her collegiate career with a 23W-17L-12T record. Pasquarella finished her career with a 0.759 save percentage as well.
“Having three goalkeepers on the squad has always been one of our objectives. Achieving that makes us very happy and we’re confident that if one of our keepers are unable to play, we will always have subs who are up to the challenge,” said Tengarrinha.
Rosters are built on much more than just skill. Coaches and front offices scout players and look for the type of player who will fit into their game plan on the field, but also help to improve and grow their team culture off the field.
“From very early on, we outlined the profile of the player we were looking for. Our scouting process is based on certain characteristics that we consider fundamental to building the ideal roster. These characteristics are not only about the players’ specific on-field qualities, but also about their personal traits. More than simply trying to sign talented players, we aim to bring in human beings who share the principles and values we stand for and who will naturally fit into our style of play,” said Tengarrinha
Not far from home is St. John’s University, where Pasquarella is entering her first season as a goalkeeper coach for the Thunderbirds. She was hired earlier this summer and will take on the role of mentoring and training the team’s goalkeepers.
“To start my pro journey with a club like Brooklyn FC, so close to where I grew up, is a dream come true. This is a team that’s building something special, and I’m ready to compete, grow, and give everything I have to this opportunity,” Pasquarella said in a Brooklyn FC press release.