But, once again Brooklyn had to rally from deficits to snatch a win (or hold for a tie); making it a pattern that developed over the past six games. “I love the way they come back. At first I thought they were a bit sluggish, but then they came back and did it, and I was definitely rooting for them to do that,” exclaimed Jamaican-born fan Kirk Gammon who watched the game with his family of four, all part of the best crowd turnout for the season.

And, why shouldn’t it have been? The game was played in warm summer conditions divest of any threats of inclement weather during the day, as was the case in Brooklyn’s previous seven home games.

Fielding an unusual starting line-up which included defenders Dan Beuhrens and Eric Rengifo, along with midfielder Mathias Carrizo, Brooklyn labored in the ‘early goings’ as Fredericksburg stole the initiative with good build-ups marshaled by their coach-player Christian Neagu. “Today we put some players in the team that didn’t play much and I know they have the quality to play at any level in any team,” Brooklyn’s head coach Joe Balsamo summed up his options afterwards. “We went the first minutes a little flat, but the guys were trying.”

Brooklyn later upped their play to match the visitors, thus creating hives of activities at both ends. Recent PDL ‘Team of the Week’ selectee, Javier Gonzalez worked overtime along with Beuhrens, Rengifo and Tomasz Groch to keep the Gunners from hitting the target. At the other end, Sean Hinkle and Henry Kalungi towered to keep the Knights’ Tarik Smith, Carrizo, Juan Guerra and Julio Cesar Dos Santos from mounting successful charges.

In the 32^rd minute, it was Knights’ stand-in skipper Matia Damiani who felt the robustness of Kalungi as his tough tackle elicited referee Nabil Alsaidi’s caution (yellow) card. Eight minutes later, the Gunners loaded a second ‘yellow’ when Cameron McCarthy kayoed midfielder Sebastian Alvarado on a tackle.

On the continuation of play, the Gunners’ fortune quickly changed as they blocked Brooklyn’s advance and set off up the raceway to feed their drivers, Neagu and Richard Petty (yes, Richard Petty) to steer one home in the 42^nd minute.

At the break, Brooklyn stared a familiar circumstance in the face, but Balsamo mirrored his locker room discussion from previous similar situations. “I told them we have to have dignity. Even though we knew we’re in the playoffs we got to go out and get a confidence booster and give the fans something, and that’s what this team has ... Dignity.”

The poise and pride of Brooklyn rose in the 2^nd half, again. After some raids to signal their intentions, they brought in playmaker Hemir Niebles in the 54^th minute for Guerra, then Frank Alseci for Carrizo seven minutes later. Though the Gunners made a similar switch, the Knights’ injections added more spark as they began firing on all cylinders seeking the equalizer. It came in the 68^th minute as Smith got a touch-line pass from Alesci, and like a human whirlwind on a solo run smacked his 4^th goal of the season to leave Fredericksburg’s defense and goalie puzzled as to what hit them.

However, Fredericksburg quickly fitted the pieces together and caught Brooklyn napping upon their kick-off, sending in a Neagu strike from a Matt Lacey assist to regain the lead in the 70^th. Four minutes later Brooklyn woke to knot the scores at two. Defender Groch, who has been a stalwart for the Knights’ back-line all season, realized his desire to “still play a hard game though we are already in the playoffs.” He stepped up to help swarm the Gunners’ box and got a touch on a Niebles corner-kick that ricocheted into the net.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, the game was still on. It meant more to Fredericksburg who were hoping to advance their chances of a playoff spot with a win. They took the gamble with a switch at the same time Brooklyn brought in Gabe Ortega for Beuhrens. But, it was the latter team that benefited, as Dos Santos made use of a neat build-up to skillfully worm his way to a 5^th goal in four games since joining the Knights.

That first Brooklyn lead brought wilder excitement from the fans, including 15 members of the Borough Boys ‘barmy army’ who chose to attend the Aviator fixture over a simultaneous NY Red Bulls v. LA Galaxy game at Giants Stadium which featured soccer great David Beckham. Their loud and lively chanting was heartily treasured by the players who stepped to the stands to show their appreciation after the game. “The game was good for us, but our performance was inspired by the fans, man, the fans,” conceded Ortega. “We played for the fans today.” Balsamo, also wasted little time in praising the fans’ support. “They are like the 12^th man to this team. The guys really, really loved the support,” the second year head coach noted, adding that “we returned in the second half with the idea of winning the game and that’s what makes me happy and proud of these guys. Winning is a good feeling.”

Now, the Knights fly into the playoffs with that mood, seeking to conquer adversaries and gross triumphs like the famed Batman.