While Mississippi Brilla FC tied the New Orleans Jesters on Saturday night, the game was actually a massive loss for the team. Three-year defender and team captain Michael Brown suffered a season-ending injury at the end of the first half of the match. When Brown’s right leg snapped under the tackle of a Jesters defender, more than his bones were broken. Brown’s franchise record of consecutive games and minutes came to and end.

When Mississippi Brilla FC began their Premier Development League Franchise in 2007, Michael Brown was one of the first players the organization targeted for its roster. Brown, a Clinton, MS native, had spent the past four seasons as a standout player for Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Mississippi Brilla desperately wanted him to return to his hometown and continue his soccer career. When several professional opportunities did not work out, Brilla gladly signed the player and has never looked back since.

Since Mississippi’s first match in 2007 against New Orleans, Brown has played every minute. It is ironic that the streak started and ended against New Orleans. In all, Brown played in 43 consecutive games, with over 3,825 consecutive minutes played, as he was never substituted in any match until his injury on Saturday.

Mississippi Brilla FC General Manager Rusty Bryant said of Brown, “Michael exemplifies everything that the Brilla organization is about. He will be missed for the remainder of the season, but we are looking forward to him starting a new streak at our first match of next season.”
To underscore the significance of Brown’s streak, Mississippi’s next longest match and minutes streaks are held by David Lilly and Willie Hunt, who have played every minute of the team’s eleven matches so far this season for 990 consecutive minutes.

Michael Brown said of his accomplishment; “It’s been an honor to play this many games and these many minutes for Brilla. Over the course of the past three seasons we’ve had our ups and downs, but I’ve always been proud to be out there.”

He continued, “I’ve always tried to just do my part on the field, whatever the coach asked of me, whether it’s leading or following, I just wanted to play my part. Of course, it is sad to go down with a broken leg, but it happens. I will continue to play my part. It will just be a different role for now. I’ll have to be an encourager and leader off the field. We have to go forward and continue to build on a good season.”

“Brownie is one of those players about whom you never had to worry,” said Mississippi Brilla FC Vice-President of Operations, Scott Taylor. “You knew he was always going to start every game. You never worried about his level of play. He is just that type of player. We’ve been very fortunate to have him for 43 straight games, and I can’t wait to see him on the field again for us next season.”

Mississippi Brilla FC will take the field without Michael Brown for the first time ever on Saturday, June 27 when they host the Nashville Metros and 7:00 PM at Arrow Field in Clinton.