Boston Legacy FC

{{Short description|Women's soccer club in Greater Boston}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox football club | American = yes | image = Boston Legacy FC.svg | alt = A black badge with a green outline, with an image of a white swan at center. | upright = 0.6 | caption = | fullname = Boston Legacy Football Club | founded = {{start date and age|September 19, 2023}} | stadium = Gillette Stadium (first season)<br />Centreville Bank Stadium (first season)<br />White Stadium<br />Boston, Massachusetts | capacity = | chairman = | manager = Filipa Patão | mgrtitle = Head coach | owntitle = | owner = Boston Unity Soccer Partners | league = National Women's Soccer League | season = | position = | website = {{URL|https://www.bostonlegacyfc.com/|bostonlegacyfc.com}} | current = 2026 Boston Legacy FC season | pattern_la1 = _boston26h | pattern_b1 = _boston26h | pattern_ra1 = _boston26h | pattern_sh1 = _boston26h | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = 33e983 | body1 = 33e983 | rightarm1 = 33e983 | shorts1 = 33e983 | socks1 = 33e983 | pattern_la2 = _boston26a | pattern_b2 = _boston26a | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_sh2 = | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = | body2 = | rightarm2 = 000 | shorts2 = 000 | socks2 = 000 }}

'''Boston Legacy FC''' is an American professional soccer team based in the Greater Boston area that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Joining in 2026,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-2026-schedule-footprint|title=NWSL Announces 2026 Schedule Footprint | News | NWSLsoccer.com|date=July 2, 2025|website=NWSL}}</ref> its home ground will be at a renovated White Stadium, though the club plans to play its inaugural season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, during its redevelopment.

== History ==

Boston's second professional women's soccer club, the Boston Breakers, were founded in 2009, and competed in Women's Professional Soccer, Women's Premier Soccer League Elite, and the National Women's Soccer League.<ref name="BostonBreakersHistory">{{cite web |title=Breakers History |website=Boston Breakers Women's Professional Soccer |url=http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/ABOUT/HISTORY/index_E.html |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416040434/http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/ABOUT/HISTORY/index_E.html |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2012 WPSL Elite Season Preview |url=http://www.nscaa.com/blogs/diversity/2012/03/2012-wpsl-elite-season-preview |publisher=National Soccer Coaches of America Association |access-date=December 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014213/http://www.nscaa.com/blogs/diversity/2012/03/2012-wpsl-elite-season-preview |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club folded in 2017 due to a limited fanbase, with reports generally blaming a lack of marketing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebentmusket.com/2018/1/25/16920928/boston-breakers-fold-ownership-deal-falls-through-nwsl|title=Boston Breakers fold after ownership deal falls through|access-date=July 6, 2018|date=January 25, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605004707/https://www.thebentmusket.com/2018/1/25/16920928/boston-breakers-fold-ownership-deal-falls-through-nwsl|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Churchill |first1=Samantha |title=The Fall of the Boston Breakers |url=https://thewellesleynews.com/2018/05/02/the-fall-of-the-boston-breakers/ |website=The Wellesley News |date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205151336/https://thewellesleynews.com/2018/05/02/the-fall-of-the-boston-breakers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kassouf |first1=Jeff |title=How an era ended: The mysterious final months of the Boston Breakers |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/10/16/how-an-era-ended-the-mysterious-final-months-of-the-boston-breakers/ |website=The Equalizer |date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930120846/https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/10/16/how-an-era-ended-the-mysterious-final-months-of-the-boston-breakers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Boston Unity Soccer Partners put forward bids during the 2024 and 2026 rounds of National Women's Soccer League expansion – ultimately winning the latter.<ref name="Women Soccer Returns to Boston">{{cite web |title=Professional Women's Soccer Returns to Boston as National Women's Soccer League Awards Expansion Franchise to Boston Unity Soccer Partners |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/professional-womens-soccer-returns-to-boston-as-national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-franchise-to-boston-unity-soccer-partners |website=NWSL |date=September 19, 2023 |publisher=Sidearm Sports |access-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007001804/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/professional-womens-soccer-returns-to-boston-as-national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-franchise-to-boston-unity-soccer-partners |url-status=live }}</ref>

The club originally unveiled their name as '''BOS Nation FC''' in October 2024 – an anagram of ''Bostonian'', and a play on ''boss''.<ref name="BG24"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Guilfoil |first=Kyla |date=October 15, 2024 |title=National Women's Soccer League reveals name for new Boston team |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nwsl/national-womens-soccer-league-reveals-name-new-boston-team-rcna175518 |publisher=NBC News |accessdate=October 16, 2024}}</ref> Their branding was launched with a marketing campaign that sported the tagline, ''"there are too many balls in this town"''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Boston NWSL Team Branding Officially Revealed|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/boston-nwsl-team-branding-officially-revealed|website=NWSLSoccer.com|date=October 15, 2024|access-date=October 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name="BG24">{{cite news|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/15/sports/boston-nwsl-team-name-bos-nation/|title=Boston's NWSL team has a name: Introducing BOS Nation FC|last=Silverman|first=Michael|date=October 15, 2024|newspaper=The Boston Globe|access-date=October 15, 2024}}</ref> While its intent was to highlight the patriarchal nature of sports in Boston, it was criticized by the LGBTQ community as transphobic, and by others for focusing on male athletes as opposed to highlighting Boston's existing and preceding women's sports teams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Silverman |first=Michael |date=October 16, 2024 |title=Boston's NWSL team, BOS Nation FC, ditches 'Too Many Balls' promotional campaign after backlash |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/16/sports/bos-nation-fc-nwsl-boston/ |work=The Boston Globe |url-access=subscription |accessdate=October 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-15 |title=NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44252061/nwsl-expansion-team-bos-nation-fc-new-name-boston |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Days after its branding launch, the club issued a public apology, and immediately discontinued the campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |date=November 27, 2024 |title=BOS Nation considering name change after public backlash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5952727/2024/11/27/bos-nation-considers-name-change/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44252061/nwsl-expansion-team-bos-nation-fc-new-name-boston|title=NWSL's BOS Nation FC to change name after backlash|last=Kassouf|first=Jeff|date=March 14, 2025|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref>

Criticism of the club's branding also led to a rebranding, which was unveiled as Boston Legacy FC in March 2025.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Boston's new pro women's soccer team gets a new name: Boston Legacy Football Club |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2025-03-26/bostons-new-pro-womens-soccer-team-gets-a-new-name-boston-legacy-football-club |access-date=March 26, 2025 |publisher=WGBH |language=en}}</ref> The team's redesigned crest was unveiled in June 2025, featuring an eight-feathered swan representing the eight original NWSL teams.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bird |first1=Hayden |title=Boston Legacy FC unveils team crest featuring an eight-feathered swan |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2025/06/07/boston-legacy-fc-unveiled-swan-inspired-club-crest/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=30 March 2026 |date=7 June 2025}}</ref> The design is also a nod to Romeo and Juliet, two female mute swans that previously resided in the Boston Public Garden.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Linehan |first1=Meg |title=Boston Legacy FC unveils new team crest: ‘It’s been a learning process. We had a hiccup’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6409982/2025/06/07/boston-legacy-fc-new-crest-reflection/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=30 March 2026 |date=7 June 2025}}</ref> The team will begin in the 2026 season, alongside Denver Summit FC, which will bring the NWSL to a total of 16 teams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=Boston's NWSL team reveals new name -- again |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44410096/nwsl-new-franchise-bos-nation-renamed-boston-legacy-fc |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Stadium ==

The team will play home matches in White Stadium in Franklin Park, Boston.<ref name="Women Soccer Returns to Boston"/> The City of Boston planned to commit up to $50 million towards the stadium's renovation, and BUSP pledged $30 million.<ref name="Renovate White Stadium">{{cite news |last1=Hohler |first1=Bob |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/12/12/sports/white-stadium-boston-public-schools/ |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=The Boston Globe |title=Plan for professional soccer at White Stadium sharply reduces access for Boston high school football |publisher=The Boston Globe |date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212224312/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/12/12/sports/white-stadium-boston-public-schools/ |archive-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> The stadium is to be the first venue in the country which will be home to a major league sports franchise and the athletic program of a public high school.<ref name="Renovate White Stadium"/> The stadium will be shared with Boston Public Schools track and soccer.<ref name="Renovate White Stadium"/> To avoid wear and tear on its playing surface, American football matches will be prohibited at the field during the professional soccer season; it will see high school football play after the end of the NWSL season during the MIAA playoffs and Thanksgiving games.<ref name="Renovate White Stadium"/>

The renovation of White Stadium sparked some dispute with community groups, and was met with a lawsuit from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. The Conservancy sued both the city of Boston and the club's development partners, but were denied a preliminary injunction for their claims.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Judge denies request for injunction against White Stadium renovation project |url=https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2024-03-22/judge-denies-request-for-injunction-against-white-stadium-renovation-project |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=GBH |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Margaret |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Boston White Stadium Opponents Dealt Blow As Trial Set to Begin |url=https://frontofficesports.com/boston-white-stadium-lawsuit-goes-to-trial/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Front Office Sports}}</ref> The presiding judge, justice Matthew Nestor, stated that they were "not persuaded" of the Conservancy's claims that the renovations would cause irreparable harm in its violation of state law.<ref name="Linehan">{{Cite news |last=Linehan |first=Meg |date=2025-04-02 |title=BOS Nation FC is out: Boston NWSL team to reveal new name in 'next few weeks' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6204128/2025/03/14/boston-nwsl-expansion-bos-nation-fc/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In early April, the judge held that the renovation was not in violation of the law and that the project could proceed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court Victory Allows Boston, NWSL To Proceed With White Stadium Renovation |url=https://www.bisnow.com/boston/news/construction-development/white-stadium-128791 |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Bisnow |language=en}}</ref> The renovations will not be completed in time for the first season, and in May 2025 the team announced they would play their full first season at Gillette Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bird |first1=Hayden |date=May 22, 2025 |title=Boston Legacy FC supporters 'disappointed' team will play at Gillette Stadium in 2026 |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/morning-sports-update/2025/05/22/boston-legacy-fc-gillette-stadium-reaction/ |website=www.boston.com}}</ref> Seven of the team's fifteen home matches will be played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, due to scheduling conflicts at Gillette Stadium during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last=Healy |first=Emma |date=December 19, 2025 |title=NWSL's Boston Legacy FC will play some 2026 games in Rhode Island due to Gillette Stadium conflicts |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/19/sports/boston-legacy-fc-venue-gillette-stadium-rhode-island/ |work=The Boston Globe |url-access=subscription |accessdate=December 19, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston Legacy FC, Centreville Bank Stadium Announce 2026 Schedule |url=https://www.rhodeislandfc.com/news/boston-legacy-fc-centreville-bank-stadium-announce-2026-schedule/ |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=Rhode Island FC |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Organization == Boston Legacy FC are owned by Boston Unity Soccer Partners (BUSP), an all-female ownership group led by Jennifer Epstein, Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Danoff, and Anna Palmer.<ref name="Women Soccer Returns to Boston"/> BUSP's investors include Aly Raisman, Elizabeth Banks, Brad Stevens and Tracy Stevens, and Linda Henry.<ref name="BG24"/> In July 2025, WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston joined the ownership group.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston invests in NWSL's Boston Legacy |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45739835/indiana-fever-aliyah-boston-invests-nwsl-boston-legacy |work=ESPN |date=July 14, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

On June 25, 2025, the club announced that they had hired Filipa Patão as their inaugural head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston Legacy FC Names Filipa Patão as First Head Coach |url=https://bostonlegacyfc.com/blogs/press/boston-legacy-fc-names-filipa-patao-as-first-head-coach |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=Boston Legacy FC |language=en}}</ref>

Former FC Barcelona Femení recruitment and contract manager Domènec "Domè" Guasch serves as the club's general manager.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Steph |last2=Herrero |first2=Laia Cervelló |date=2025-03-26 |title=BOS Nation FC hire former FC Barcelona executive as new general manager |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5970135/2024/12/05/bos-nation-fc-nwsl-domenec-guasch-fc-barcelona/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The club also hired former Brighton & Hove Albion women's player recruitment manager Edward Gallagher as their first director of player recruitment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edward Gallagher Hired as Director of Recruitment |url=https://bostonlegacyfc.com/blogs/press/edward-gallagher-hired-as-director-of-recruitment |website=Boston Legacy FC |access-date=2025-09-16}}</ref>

The team's training facility will be located in Brockton and will open in 2026. It is privately funded and will include a 30,000-square-foot training building and six pitches, including two natural grass surfaces and one heated field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2025/07/15/boston-legacy-to-build-27m-performance-centre/|title=Boston Legacy to build $27m performance centre|first=Bradley|last=Rial|date=July 15, 2025}}</ref>

== Players and staff == ===Current squad=== {{Updated|April 6, 2026}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Our Athletes |url=https://bostonlegacyfc.com/pages/roster |publisher=Boston Legacy FC |access-date=13 February 2026}}</ref>  {| class="wikitable sortable" ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;" scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Squad number}} ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;" scope="col" | {{abbr|Pos.|Position}} ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;" scope="col" | {{abbr|Nation|FIFA nationality}} ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;" scope="col" | Player |- {{Football squad player sort|no=1|pos=GK|nat=USA |first=Casey|last=Murphy}} {{Football squad player sort|no=2|nat=BRA|pos=DF|first=Kaká|last=|dab=Kaká (footballer, born 1999)}} {{Football squad player sort|no=4|nat=USA|pos=DF|first=Emerson|last=Elgin}} {{Football squad player sort|no=5|nat=DEN|pos=MF|first=Josefine|last=Hasbo}} {{Football squad player sort|no=6|nat=USA|pos=MF|first=Annie|last=Karich}} {{Football squad player sort|no=7|pos=FW|nat=CAN |first=Amanda|last=Allen}} {{Football squad player sort|no=8|pos=FW|nat=USA |first=Sammy|last=Smith|dab=Sammy Smith (soccer, born 2001)}} {{Football squad player sort|no=9|pos=FW|nat=BRA |first=Amanda|last=Gutierres}} {{Football squad player sort|no=10|pos=FW|nat=USA |first=Ella|last=Stevens}} {{Football squad player sort|no=11|pos=MF|nat=USA |first=Chloe|last=Ricketts}} {{Football squad player sort|no=12|pos=FW|nat=CAN |first=Nichelle|last=Prince}} {{Football squad player sort|no=13|pos=FW|nat=UGA |first=Fauzia|last=Najjemba}} {{Football squad player sort|no=14|nat=MLI|pos=FW|first=Aissata|last=Traoré}} {{Football squad player sort|no=15|nat=USA|pos=MF|first=Aleigh|last=Gambone}} {{Football squad player sort|no=16|nat=COL|pos=DF|first=Jorelyn|last=Carabalí}} {{Football squad player sort|no=18|pos=GK|nat=USA |first=Laurel|last=Ivory}} {{Football squad player sort|no=20|nat=MEX|pos=DF|first=Nicki|last=Hernández}} {{Football squad player sort|no=21|nat=VEN|pos=MF|first=Bárbara|last=Olivieri}} {{Football squad player sort|no=23|nat=USA|pos=DF|first=Sam|last=Angel|dab=Sam Angel (soccer)|other=on loan from Chicago Stars FC}} {{Football squad player sort|no=24|pos=MF|nat=BRA |first=Laís|last=Araújo}} {{Football squad player sort|no=25|pos=MF|nat=USA |first=Sophia|last=Lowenberg}} {{Football squad player sort|no=26|nat=ESP|pos=MF|first=Alba|last=Caño}} {{Football squad player sort|no=34|nat=USA|pos=DF|first=Laurel|last=Ansbrow}} {{Football squad player sort|no=53|pos=DF|nat=CAN |first=Bianca|last=St-Georges}} {{Football squad player sort|no=87|pos=GK|nat=JAP |first=Hannah|last=Stambaugh}} |}

===Coaching staff=== {{updated|July 3, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abola.pt |date=2025-05-22 |title=Notícia A BOLA Benfica: Filipa Patão de saída {{!}} Abola.pt |url=https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/benfica-filipa-patao-de-saida-2025052218394381772 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Abola.pt |language=pt}}</ref>}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;"|Position ! style="background:#000000; color:#FFF; border:2px solid #36E882;"|Staff |- {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head coach |s={{flagdeco|POR}} Filipa Patão}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=General manager |s={{flagdeco|ESP}} Domènec Guasch}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Director of player recruitment |s={{flagdeco|SCO}} Edward Gallagher}} |- |}

==Managers== As of 4 April, 2026: {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |- ! |'''Name''' ! |'''Tenure''' ! |'''Refs''' |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|Portugal}} Filipa Patão || 25 June 2025 – || |- |}

== References ==

== External links ==

* {{Official website|https://bostonlegacyfc.com}}

Category:2023 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Association football clubs established in 2023 Category:National Women's Soccer League teams Category:Soccer clubs in Boston Category:Women's sports in Boston Category:Boston Legacy FC Category:Professional soccer clubs in the United States