Boston Legacy FC fell 0–1 to San Diego Wave FC at Gillette Stadium on Friday, extending the expansion club’s winless start to four matches in its first National Women’s Soccer League season.
The only goal came in the 43th minute, when the visiting Wave broke through a Boston defense that had held firm for most of the opening 45 minutes.
The home side suffered a cruel blow, despite the approximately 10,000 supporters in attendance who had reason to believe a breakthrough result was close at hand.
Boston opened with energy, controlling possession and playing assertively for the first half.
From goalkeeper Casey Murphy through the back line and into the attack, Legacy players moved the ball with composure and intent, generating play that drew audible enthusiasm from the Foxboro crowd. The team’s early confidence suggested that a first victory in club history wasn’t merely aspirational but genuinely attainable.
Aïssata Traoré made history in the last match, becoming the first Malian to score in the NWSL, and then led Boston’s attack again. She made several threatening runs and created chances, but couldn’t beat the San Diego goalkeeper. Amanda Gutierres, who notched the club’s first-ever assist in last week’s 2–1 loss to the Utah Royals, contributed to Boston’s spirited yet fruitless attack.
The defeat drops Boston Legacy to 0–4–0 to start the season, leaving the club last in the NWSL standings without a point.
Head coach Filipa Patão has constantly emphasized the quality of play and squad development over an immediate push for results.
In comments to the media ahead of the match, the coach acknowledged San Diego’s possession-based style as a challenge. According to The Blazing Musket, Patão observed that the Wave has difficulty without the ball and aims to deny Boston prolonged possession.
San Diego, meanwhile, extended its strong start with a fourth win in five matches. The Wave entered the contest at 3–0–1, sitting second in the league and outscoring opponents 7–2 over three weeks. The attack has been powered by a prolific trio—Dudinha, Lia Godfrey, and Melanie Barcenas—who have accounted for all goals so far. Godfrey, a rookie midfielder, had scored in three straight matches and earned the NWSL Rookie of the Month for March. Per a San Diego Wave FC preview, Godfrey became just the sixth player in league history to score the winning goal in three straight regular-season games, and the first to do so during her first four NWSL matches.
Boston’s task grew more complicated as a depleted roster limited options. Thigh injuries sidelined defenders Laís Araújo and Nicki Hernandez. Kaká stayed on the 45-day injured list after ankle surgery. The NWSL suspended forward Ella Stevens for one game after reviewing the yellow card she received in the previous match against Utah.
Patão’s starting lineup featured Murphy in goal behind Smith, Jorelyn Carabalí, Ansbrow, and St-Georges in defense; Karich, Caño, and Olivieri in midfield; and Gutierres, Nichelle Prince, and Traoré in attack.
Despite the loss, positives emerged for a club still finding its footing. Boston’s first-half stamina and Traoré’s attacking threat offer signs of optimism. Legacy FC still looks for its first victory and point, but Friday showed the club is finding its identity and can compete with established opponents.
The match also marked an off-field milestone. Boston Legacy FC announced a multi-year regional media partnership with NBC10 Boston and NBC Sports Boston, securing live coverage of 13 inaugural-season matches for fans across New England.
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