Brooklyn, NY — “Malo nas je, al’ nas ima” – “there may not be many of us, but we’re here.” That phrase perfectly summed up the atmosphere at Brooklyn FC’s Croatian Heritage Day, held at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, New York. The club celebrated the arrival of Croatian sisters Ana and Kristina (Kiki) Marković, both members of the Croatian Women’s National Soccer Team, who recently joined Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League.
The event was co-organized by the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP), the Croatian American Media Association, and the Facebook group Hrvati u New York’u. Sports enthusiast Daniel Pedišić played a key role within the organizing team, helping unite New York’s Croatian community for this special day.
Despite uncertain weather the day before and a packed Saturday schedule across the city, a lively crowd turned out to celebrate. Fans waved red-and-white Croatian flags, sang along to Croatian songs spun by the stadium DJ, enjoyed Nathan’s hot dogs and Brooklyn craft beer, and proudly cheered for the Marković sisters on the field.
Maimonides Park, where the event was held, is a waterfront stadium located on Surf Avenue in Coney Island, one of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and just steps from the famous Coney Island Boardwalk, the ballpark offers sweeping seaside views and a festive summer atmosphere. Beyond the stadium, visitors can explore historic attractions such as the Wonder Wheel, Luna Park amusement rides, and the original Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand, which has been a Brooklyn landmark since 1916.
The stadium is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, the High-A minor league affiliate of the New York Mets, who have played there since 2001. Known for its family-friendly environment, fireworks nights, and vibrant community events, Maimonides Park has become a symbol of Brooklyn’s love for both sports and entertainment — making it an ideal venue for Brooklyn FC’s celebration of Croatian heritage.
The USL Super League, launched in 2024 with Brooklyn FC as one of its founding clubs, marks a new era in American women’s professional soccer. The addition of Ana (number 7, forward) and Kiki (number 14, midfielder) Marković was a proud milestone for the team and for Croatian-American fans nationwide.
On November 8, 2025, Brooklyn FC defeated DC Power FC 1–0, snapping a nine-match winless streak and earning their first clean sheet of the season. The lone goal came from Leah Scarpelli early in the second half. Although Brooklyn held just 31.8% of possession, the team made the most of their opportunities, with 892 fans in attendance cheering them on.
After the match, Croatian supporters enjoyed a meet-and-greet with Ana and Kiki, taking photos, chatting in both English and Croatian, and celebrating a night that beautifully intertwined sport, culture, and community.
In a post-match interview with Croatians Online, the Marković sisters expressed heartfelt gratitude for the love and support they received from the Croatian fans in New York. They said they were touched by how many came out to the match and are looking forward to more events — and to spending time with the Croatian community in New York in the near future.
For one special evening in Brooklyn, the phrase “Malo nas je, al’ nas ima” rang true – there may not be many, but they certainly made their presence felt.
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