“We’re going to be fine in this league.”
That’s what Boston Legacy FC head coach Filipa Patão said after her team lost its inaugural game 1-0 against Gotham FC Saturday.
Two and a half years after it was first announced, the team finally stepped onto the field and showed the 30,207 fans that filled the seats what they’ve been waiting for.
Though not a result the players wanted, this was not a group that looked like it’s only spent eight weeks together. The Swans matched up well with the reigning league champions, even when reduced to 10 players.
There are improvements to be made, but the opposition only being able to score one goal bodes well.
Patão started with a 4-4-2 formation that often changed to 5-4-1 in transition.
Casey Murphy started in goal behind a backline that included Jorelyn Carabalí, Kaká, Bianca St-Georges, and Nicki Hernandez. Aleigh Gambone, Annie Karich, Alba Caño, and Nichelle Prince were in the midfield, and Aïssata Traoré and Ella Stevens were up top.
Gotham’s Esther González scored the lone goal in the 55th minute, and BLFC was down to ten players over 20 minutes later.
Here are three thoughts from the game.
