“We are like water and will flow wherever there is space.”

This is how Herminio Furtado, coach and founder of Brockton FC United, describes how his team plays on the field. But don’t let that poetic description fool you – this is a club that takes a ‘band of brothers’ attitude in to each game, willing fight for each other. And for a city known for its boxing champions, you would expect nothing less.

Founded in 2006, Brockton FC United joined the UPSL in 2019 and quickly made a reputation for itself as a quality side. This past fall season, limited to eight games due to some clubs deciding not to play during the current COVID crisis, Brockton won seven and lost one. Their one loss came against Mass United FC, considered the best team in the Northeast Conference’s Patriot Division. “MassU shaped our team,” said Furtado. “We prepared our season to beat them since they were the team to beat in our division.”

But revenge would come for Brockton in the playoffs. The two sides met in the division finals, and Brockton came away with a 3-1 victory and the division championship. The playoff run would continue into November and December, with wins over Syracuse FC and Detroit United. Then came the regional final match up with New York Contour United – a team that had not lost a match all season. And NY Contour would take a 1-0 first half lead. But the band of brothers from Brockton would get two late goals from forward Nilton DeAndrade and propelled themselves into the national finals. Furtado admitted that the NY Contour game “was a big moment and that game attracted lots of attention.”

“We bring a certain flow to the game.”

DeAndrade is one of the young players on this Brockton squad trying to make a name for themselves and get the opportunity to play professionally someday. But the club is a balance of youth and experience, with a veteran midfield that includes Moacyr (Rick) Alves, Antonio Correa, Stephan Teixeira and Rudney Delgado.

If you haven’t seen Brockton play, the club likes to play direct with quick passing combinations. “New fans will find us entertaining,” says Furtado. “We like to have the ball but are comfortable without it.”

“There are opportunities in difficulties.”

Furtado is realistic when it comes to the club’s opponent Friday night. “Ginga Atlanta is a top quality opponent and clear favorites in this game. They have the experience and physicality and you don’t see any flaw in their game.” He knows that his side needs to be playing at their very best to have a chance to pull off the upset. Furtado has used the quote above as a motto for this season, and maybe there will be a chance for Brockton FC United to find the opportunity and win in the face of a difficult opponent.

- John Howard-Fusco