"I know that, at this point, standing here today, today is a win," Boston Legacy control owner Jennifer Epstein said moments before Saturday's match kicked off, reflecting on the significance of the franchise's inaugural competitive match despite the eventual 1-0 loss to Gotham FC."
"An announced crowd of 30,207 turned up for the market's first women's professional soccer game since the now defunct Boston Breakers played this same Gotham franchise (then named Sky Blue FC) in September 2017. The crowd set a record for an expansion team's inaugural home game."
"The NWSL Board of Governors first green-lit Boston's expansion bid over three years ago (although it was not publicly announced until months later), marking the longest runway in league history for expansion team. Several setbacks followed. An ambitious project to renovate White Stadium faced local pushback and construction delays."
Boston Legacy made their competitive NWSL debut at Gillette Stadium against Gotham FC, resulting in a 1-0 loss. Esther González scored for Gotham in the second half after coming off the bench, breaking a scoreless first half where Boston controlled the midfield. Boston defender Bianca St-Georges received a second yellow card in the 77th minute, reducing the team to ten players and ending comeback hopes. The match drew 30,207 fans, setting a record for an expansion team's inaugural home game. Boston's entry into the NWSL followed three years of planning, stadium renovation setbacks, and branding changes. The franchise represents the market's first women's professional soccer team since the Boston Breakers disbanded in 2017.
Read at ESPN.com
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