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Brooklyn FC Academy / Two Bridges

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The Official Instagram account of @brooklynfootballclub academy.
Pathways from @twobridges_ knocking down financial barriers to inclusion in NYC

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In October 2020, during the throes of the pandemic, Maximilian “Mack” Mansfield began organizing pickup soccer games at Tanahey Playground in the Two-Bridges neighborhood of Manhattan. The games drew teenagers from across the city and four years later, those informal kickabouts have evolved into a free-to-play academy currently serving over 100 players across 5 teams from more than 30 countries with comprehensive academic support—all at no cost.

Two Bridges Football Club challenges the pay-to-play model that dominates American youth soccer, where families routinely spend thousands annually for elite training. Instead, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, running entirely on donations.

The mission is straightforward: identify talented players from underserved communities and provide training, academic preparation, and college guidance typically reserved for those who can afford it.

The academy holds four intensive sessions weekly. This past spring, Two Bridges defeated the well-funded MLS-backed NYCFC Academy. But recognizing that athletic talent alone wouldn’t secure futures, Mansfield and his father Michael expanded the program to include Two Bridges Academy — in collaboration with Cornell Tech — which provides tutoring, SAT preparation, and college counseling.

The results validate the model: 87 of their first 100 graduates advanced to college or professional soccer. In December 2023, Two Bridges became the official youth academy for Brooklyn Football Club, creating a pathway to professional soccer when the USL Championship team launches in 2026.

Players come from immigrant communities across the five boroughs, representing dozens of countries. For many, Two Bridges offers more than soccer—it’s a support structure extending to career exposure and internships at firms like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

Whether the model proves sustainable remains uncertain. American youth sports favors reliable revenue streams, not philanthropic dependence. But for now, Two Bridges continues on faith and donations, believing each college commitment validates the econogmics.

Photos by @images_mm by @bkfc_academy

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7 months ago

@twobridges_ is a competitive soccer program removing financial barriers while creating pathways to top universities and professional opportunities, for players who dare to dream.
🤝Proud to serve as the youth academy for @brooklynfootballclub taken in Roosevelt Island New York by @bkfc_academy

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10 months ago

Massive results this weekend in our friendlies against @nycfcyouth Academy!
Our U19s came away with a strong 4–1 win, while the U17s battled to a 3–3 draw.

A massive thank you to NYCFC for hosting us and a huge credit to all the players involved - two really exciting matches with excellent football on display throughout. Exciting to continue to grow our program and provide opportunities with the addition of our three new age groups!

#TwoBridgesFC #NoPayToPlay #pathways #ForTheDream
@bkfc_academy 🚀 @brooklynfootballclub

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📸 @images_mm taken in Belson Stadium, St. John's University by @bkfc_academy

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a year ago

Fight for every ball. Make the tackle. Play with an edge. Never be soft.
We’re building competitors, on the field and in the classroom, not just footballers.
#TwoBridgesFC #NoExcuses
#BuiltDifferent #PressureMakesDiamonds #EarnIt taken in New York, New York by @bkfc_academy

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7 days ago

Work for each other. 🖤⚽️

Pressure. Communication. Trust.

#TwoBridgesFC #NoPayToPlay #OpenAccess #PlayerDevelopment #Keepers

📸 @images_mm taken in New York City by @bkfc_academy

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Composure under pressure separates players from prospects ⚽️🧠
#TwoBridgesFC #NoPayToPlay #PlayerDevelopment #FootballDevelopment #TrainDifferent FootballIQ NextLevel SoccerTraining taken in New York City by @bkfc_academy

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2 months ago

@umsv.msoccer ‘30 by @bkfc_academy

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2 months ago

We take real pride in helping our players reach top universities🎓that foundation matters, on and off the field. And for some, the journey is different 🚀chasing the professional game and carving out their own path at the highest level.

So proud of these guys and everything they’ve earned. The work, the sacrifice, the belief. Each of them in their own chapter.

Wishing them all the best ✨keep climbing, keep pushing for the highest levels, and build a life that reflects the journey it took to get there. 🌹
lads.

#DreamCrazy #TBFC #nofinancialbarriers
@bkfc_academy 🚀 @brooklynfootballclubm

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TBFC📸 @images_mm taken in Two Bridges by @bkfc_academy

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6 months ago

Would Lionel Messi have made it if he grew up in today’s American pay-to-play system?

At 11 years old, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. His family couldn’t afford the treatment he needed.

It wasn’t a pay-to-play club that changed his life. FC Barcelona signed him and covered the cost of his medical care, giving one of the greatest players in history the chance he deserved.

Today, many American families are expected to spend thousands of dollars each year just to keep their children in elite youth soccer.

The question isn’t whether Messi had the talent.

It’s whether he would have had the opportunity.

At Two Bridges, we believe talent should never have a price tag. We don’t recruit wallets. We develop players.

#TwoBridges #NoPayToPlay YouthSoccer PlayerDevelopment Messi taken in Two Bridges by @bkfc_academy

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3 months ago

For years, people have talked about fixing the broken American youth soccer system.
Now, more and more people are beginning to believe in a future without pay-to-play.
We’ve been living that belief for nearly six years.
It hasn’t been easy. It still isn’t.
But every day, we’re proving it’s possible.
Because talent should never be limited by a family’s income.
If you believe every child deserves the opportunity to chase their dream💭

Comment “I BELIEVE” below.
Every comment helps this message reach more people.
Then visit the link in our bio to support Two Bridges and help us keep proving that no pay-to-play isn’t just possible~it’s already happening.
#nopaytoplay #playerdevelopment taken in New York, New York by @bkfc_academy

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3 months ago

Class on and off the pitch.
Huge shout out to @manhattansc_nyc for a battle up at Mount Saint Vincent, and to the official for keeping the game fair
(and for letting us check #worldcup stoppage time for 🇵🇹🇭🇷
#playerdevelopment #nopaytoplay #openaccess
@bkfc_academy 🚀 @brooklynfootballclubm

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@images_mm taken in New York, New York by @bkfc_academy

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