After the second World War many Italians immigrated to the US from every angle of Italy in particular from the south.
Many settled in Brooklyn and didn’t know how to speak English. Many were nostalgic of Italy and the traditions they left behind.
The men would go out to social clubs with friends to play cards. More was needed, something was missing from their daily lives.Soccer! Brooklyn needed a soccer organization. At the beginning of 1949 the Brooklyn Italians Football Club was born. Soccer was part of their daily lives again. It was the umbilical cord with Italy.
They were almost all sons from the south the founders: Sorrentino, Mazzeo, the Campagna Brothers, Carestia, Camposeo, Lombardo, Narduzzi, Pusateri, the Fugallo and Piscopo brothers. Piscopo was elected the first President of the Brooklyn Italians followed by Carmine Mazzeo in 51-54 & 74.
After winning the first 2 championships of the Metropolitan League the name was changed to Palermo Football Club with Piscopo President of the Club. The next President would be Joe Lombardo from 54 to 56, Salvatore Trifiro’ 56-57 and Franco Casamento after that until 1974 when the Club changes its name back to Brooklyn Italians Football Club and Corrado "Joe" Manfredi would be elected President from 74 to 81.
What was a local and State soccer club in 1979 becomes the first italian-American soccer club to win the tile of Champions of the U.S. Challenge Cup, the most prestigious Cup of the United States (equivalent to the Italian Coppa Italia). The stadium was the Winnimac of Chicago. The opponents were the Croatia S.C.(2-1 final score). The coach was Lorenzo DeSimone and Joe Clemente manager. The Manfredi presidency would be remembered for that magnificent accomplishment after 30 years that the club was founded.
The next 2 presidents would be: John De Vivo (’82) and Anthony Bove (’83), both no longer with us but never forgotten by friends.
Benny Catania (’84) and then Joe Manfredi gets reelected for 3 years (85-87).
From 1987 to now the presidency has been in the hands of Jerry Valerio, 12 consecutive years, a record for the club. During his presidency, trophies, accomplishments, championships have been pouring in to the already thicken glass showcase in the club.
After 12 years, the Brooklyn Italians wins for the 2nd time the U.S. Challenge Cup defeating the Richardson Rockets of Texas 1-0 (goal by Ernest Inner after 7 minutes). After this prestigious Cup, an International accomplishment in 1997. The Under 14 wins the "Enzo Ferrari" International Youth Tournament in Maranello(Italy) defeating on penalties (5-3) Club Napoli of Palomonte.
Under Jerry Valerio’s presidency the attention has been focused towards Youth Soccer. Great results, satisfactions, emotions and sacrifices well worth it. Being considered the "Queen" of Italian-American soccer organizations is the fruit of many years for sacrifices, not only financially, when considering that the Brooklyn Italians has more than 100 trophies in its glass showcase between Local, State, National and International then its all well worth it. In 50 years of soccer, winning an average of 2 trophies per year its a record that a very small number of organizations can say they have done the same. In a half of century many dreams have come true in the Brooklyn Italians club. After 52 years a special thanks to who is no longer here with us. To the people that have remained a warm thanks for a brilliant future in the world of soccer, the most fascinating sport in the world, and thanks to the Brooklyn Italians for contributing in the growth of soccer in the USA.
The Brooklyn Italians compete in the National Premier Soccer League against teams such as Boston Tea Men and New York Red Bulls(Development team). The 2011 schedule and teams will be finalised at the AGM next month.
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