Boston Legacy FC drew 1-1 with the Denver Summit in an expansion team derby in Centennial, Colorado on Sunday.
This was the second installment of the debutants' faceoff after BLFC’s last-minute 3-2 win over the Summit in May.
The singular point keeps Boston (5-8-5) in 12th place with 20 points and one spot behind Denver (5-6-5, 20 points).
Head coach Filipa Patão chose the same starters as the last game, with the exception of one forward, and kept them in a 3-5-2 formation.
Casey Murphy started in goal with Emerson Elgin, Jorelyn Carabali, and Bianca St-Georges in the back. Annie Karich, Alba Caño, and Barbara Olivieri formed the midfield with Lilly Reale and Nichelle Prince on the wings. Sammy Smith and Aleigh Gambone were the two forwards.
Here are four thoughts from the game:
Goals and Saves and Assists
The Legacy’s front line looked a little different Sunday, as the team was without lead goalscorer Aïssata Traoré (international duty) and Ella Stevens (red card suspension). Amanda Gutierres (thigh injury) was initially deemed questionable for the game, but came on as a substitute for Gambone at the 73rd minute.
Smith’s second start as a forward proved fruitful as she scored her third goal of the season. She opened the scoring for the Swans in the 34th minute courtesy of a long ball from Murphy. She started a run from her own half and was able to nutmeg the keeper once the ball bounced into the box. The goal was initially deemed offside, but it was given after VAR review.
“Denver was going to have a high line, so whenever we could [we’d] look up and see if we can play in behind,” Smith said postgame. “Casey and I just made eye contact, and she played a perfect ball over the top, and I just kind of ran. For lack of better words, just ran and got it.”
The goal contribution was the fourth time a goalkeeper has recorded an assist in league history. Murphy had a stellar game in the net, making six saves on Denver’s 13 shots. She also had eight recoveries and three clearances.
First in the League
Denver’s Janine Sonis equalized in the 72nd minute by converting a penalty kick that was awarded after St-Georges pushed Tash Flint down in the box.
That marked the fifth penalty that Boston has conceded this season, the most in the league, and was a stark reminder of how the Legacy still needs to work on decision-making. Giving away the advantage when the Summit was already having so much trouble finishing their own chances was completely avoidable.
Though several teams have games in hand, Boston is leading the league in all the wrong things: Penalties conceded (5), fouls committed (235), yellow cards (34), and a three-way tie for red cards (3).
To give credit where it is due, the Legacy committed a record-low of four fouls on Sunday, beating the previous low of six in its last match against the KC Current.
Silver linings.
An Ugly Draw
Denver Summit dominated most of the game and had 38 touches in the Legacy’s box, but were unable to convert any chances. The Summit had eight shots (four on target) in the first half, and kept 56% possession. Boston had more possession in the second half, but Denver still managed to take five shots (three on target).
BLFC conceded as Gutierres waited to enter the game and replace Gambone. The coach hoped fresh legs would help the attack and result in Denver dropping to mark the two forwards. Nicki Hernandez, Amanda Allen, and Josefine Hasbo entered the game at the 90th minute, and Deja Davis made her league and Legacy debut two minutes later.
Only three minutes of stoppage time were added to the second half, and the substitutions had hardly any time to generate momentum. A steal from Hernandez in the last 30 seconds of the game resulted in a carry to the final third and a Boston corner kick, but the Swans could not convert.
“We did more subs to try to win the game because we didn't want to draw. We wanted to win the game, but at the same time we knew that we needed to be smart to not lose the game,” the coach said postgame. “It was a situation that we felt that the players were okay.”
The Legacy finished the game with six shots (two on target) and 13 touches in the opposition’s box. Patão felt they could have gotten a better result.
“We have some situations, some transitions that we need to have a better definition in that moment,” she said. “One point away, but we felt that it was possible to get three points in this game.”
Looking Ahead
The Swans have a 3-1-2 record since returning from the June break and continue to find some flow despite the inconsistency of player availability. The team has 12 games remaining this season, eight of which are away.
The one win and one draw the team earned in the two away games since the break bodes well for the road matches that await.
“I think getting points away is just as important, if not more important, than getting points at home, just because it's harder to play at other teams' stadiums, and it's hard to travel and play and balance all of those things,” Smith told The Blazing Musket. “Anytime we can come here and fight for a point or three points, it means everything.”
For Patão, it’s all about mentality.
“If we keep this capacity to bring points … of course we will fight always to bring the three points,” she said. “But if we can keep doing this in camp and keep building in this way, when we play away it will be easy for us to start to be closer to the goal that we have.”
At 12th place, the Legacy is four spots away from a possible playoff run. Several teams ahead of Boston have games in hand and the remainder of the season will no doubt be a challenge, but the team’s recent form inspires at least a little bit of optimism.
BLFC will be home in Rhode Island this week, and will face the Portland Thorns (8-6-4) on Sunday, August 9.
