Boston Legacy FC set to launch inaugural NWSL season at Gillette Stadium

The new women's soccer team will host defending champions Gotham FC in their first-ever match.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:21pm

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The Boston Legacy Football Club, the National Women's Soccer League's 15th team, will open their inaugural season this weekend at Gillette Stadium, hosting the defending NWSL champions Gotham FC. The team was welcomed to the Massachusetts State House earlier this week, with members of the Massachusetts Women's Caucus celebrating the continued growth of professional women's sports in the state.

Why it matters

The return of a professional women's soccer team to Boston is a significant milestone, as the city was home to the Boston Breakers, one of the NWSL's founding teams that dissolved in 2018. The Legacy's launch also reflects the broader expansion and popularity of the NWSL, which will now have 16 teams across the country.

The details

The Legacy was awarded a franchise in 2023 and is led by a group of women investors, including USC star JuJu Watkins and actress Elizabeth Banks. The team hired coach Filipa Patão from the Portuguese club Benfica and has built a roster that includes Canadian international Nichelle Prince and Mexican international Nicki Hernandez. One of the team's biggest offseason moves was signing goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who spent the previous five seasons with the Courage.

  • The Boston Legacy FC will host their inaugural match on March 14, 2026.
  • The team was welcomed to the Massachusetts State House earlier this week.

The players

Boston Legacy FC

The National Women's Soccer League's 15th team, founded by a group of women investors and set to launch their inaugural season in 2026.

Gotham FC

The defending champions of the National Women's Soccer League, who will be the opponents for Boston Legacy FC's inaugural match.

Casey Murphy

The goalkeeper who was signed by Boston Legacy FC in the offseason, after spending the previous five seasons with the Courage and making 20 appearances for the United States national team.

Nichelle Prince

A Canadian international player who is on the roster for the Boston Legacy FC.

Nicki Hernandez

A Mexican international player who is on the roster for the Boston Legacy FC.

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What they’re saying

“Going into free agency, I just really wanted to be a part of a team that valued me, and not only what I brought on the field, but off the field as well. And I feel like this was a great step for me in regard to my leadership and how it could help the team with my voice in the locker room.”

— Casey Murphy, Goalkeeper (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

The Boston Legacy FC will host the defending NWSL champions Gotham FC in their inaugural match at Gillette Stadium on March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

The launch of the Boston Legacy FC represents the continued growth and popularity of the National Women's Soccer League, as well as a significant milestone for professional women's sports in the city of Boston, which previously lost its NWSL team in 2018.