Photo courtesy of Gotham FC
Gotham FC started its championship defense with a win against expansion franchise Boston Legacy, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium in the 2026 NWSL season opener.
Perhaps a rivalry is brewing between the two clubs — there were a combined 33 fouls, seven yellow cards, and a red card.
“It was very feisty,” said Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “We know it’s a Boston–New York game, the first game in front of 30,000 people. We needed to keep calm.”
The large crowd set a record for the most in any new NWSL team’s home opener, but it’ll likely be broken after the Denver Summit’s home opener at Empower Field next week.
What would turn out to be the game-winning goal came courtesy of MVP finalist Esther Gonzalez in the second half, 10 minutes after she checked in to the game. Gonzalez led the team in goals last season with nine.
In its first game, Boston played an aggressive press, which was what the team had expected given its personnel, Amorós said. Gotham ultimately scored, though they were narrowly outshot by Boston, 9-8.
Due to injuries to Mandy Freeman and Bruninha, Midge Purce started at fullback. Amorós said the team has been working with her in the position and that she played well.
“She’s arguably one of the best wingers defensively in the league,” Amorós said. “This year, we want to try to be more offensive and create more problems for the opposition in those areas.”
This game also marked a homecoming for Gotham defender Lilly Reale — the Boston native grew up about a half an hour away from the stadium.
“What an atmosphere and so much fun to have so many of my friends and family just here,” Reale said. “It’s always exciting when your hometown gets a team, and then just for the kids and children growing up to be able to come out and support.”
Gotham’s home opener against the North Carolina Courage is on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
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