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Two Bridges Pathways

@twobridges_

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A nonprofit football club knocking down barriers to inclusion in NYC. ⚒ 100% donation-based. Developing Scholars and Elite Players.
🤝 @bkfc_academy

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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 @twobridges_

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7 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 @twobridges_

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6 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 @twobridges_

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a year ago

Back in the early days, we took on New England Revolution and won. That’s when we realized we might have something special.

A few years later, we’re still going strong. Players earning places at universities across the country. Players turning professional. Dreams becoming reality.

It all started with a group of young players who believed.

To the original TBFC OGs, who helped build this from the ground up…

We salute you. 🖤🌹

#TwoBridgesFC #TBFC #NoPayToPlay #BuiltNotBought #OGs taken in Gillette Stadium by @twobridges_

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2 days ago

Your brother’s fight is your fight🖤🥀
#playerdevelopment #twobridgesfc #openaccess
#NextGen taken in New York, New York by @twobridges_

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5 days ago

⚽ Develop Players. Not Drain Wallets✊🏾

Resilience, adversity, opportunity🖤
#PlayersFirst
#TalentNotMoney
#PlayerDevelopment
#TwoBridgesFC by @twobridges_

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6 days 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 @twobridges_

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7 days ago

Happy National Coaches Day!
#TwoBridges #OpenAccess #NoPaywall #NationalCoachesDay taken in New York City by @twobridges_

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10 days ago

Work for each other. 🖤⚽️

Pressure. Communication. Trust.

#TwoBridgesFC #NoPayToPlay #OpenAccess #PlayerDevelopment #Keepers

📸 @images_mm taken in New York City by @twobridges_

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11 days ago

First session of the fall🌙⚽️
Good to be back under the lights.
Good to be back to the intensity of Two Bridges🔥
Some boys are still playing high school, and we love that. More football is never a bad thing. But there’s nothing quite like getting everyone back together at Two Bridges.

The work starts now💪🏽🖤
@stefbvb @etsh_yaya @ibra.10y @212__maxi

#TwoBridgesFC #OpenAccess
#NoPayToPlay
#PlayerDevelopment taken in Two Bridges by @twobridges_

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16 days ago

Gearing up for the fall. November is when the real work starts, but the preparation happens on your own time now.
#OpenAccess
#PlayerDevelopment
#ForTheDream #TBFC #NoFinancialBarriers

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📸 @images_mm taken in New York City by @twobridges_

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17 days ago

Talent gets you through the door. Come for football, stay for opportunity.

#PlayerDevelopment
#OpenAccess taken in New York City by @twobridges_

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a month ago