The Brooklyn Football Club (BFC) on Monday appointed Jessica Silva as the first coach of its women's team.
Silva signed a two-year contract, the club said in a press release.
Silva has led teams in Canada and France and assumed her new role ahead of the club’s Sept. 25 home match against Dallas Trinity FC.
"I want to thank the Brooklyn Football Club’s ownership group and all those who made this possible," Silva said in a statement. "I look forward to helping build a professional women’s club in one of the five boroughs of NYC. I am really excited to lead our women’s team in its inaugural year in the USL Super League, but it is mostly about being in Brooklyn and representing women’s sports. As I learned more about the community, its values, its multicultural setting, and its love for sports, I realized I was going to feel right at home.”
The Montreal native's coaching career began in her hometown at McGill University and Canada’s National Training Center. She has also served as an assistant coach for Canada’s U15, U17, and U20 women’s national teams. She was the first Canadian woman to earn her UEFA A License, which she completed in France.
Her international career took off when she was recruited by French club US Orléans, where she served as Head of Academy & Development and assistant coach to the first team. Silva later became the Sporting Director and Head Coach for FC Metz’s women’s program, competing in both the 1st and 2nd Divisions. Under her leadership, FC Metz finished second overall in her final season, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to her coaching credentials, Silva holds the UEFA A Advanced Diploma in Advanced Management and Coaching.
