As the World Cup makes its arrival to Massachusetts this month, the Boston Legacy FC will utilize Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., as their home venue. And in doing so, they have made history as the first professional women’s soccer club to play in the Ocean State.
The Swans played their first match there against the Seattle Reign FC on May 22. And though they lost, 2-1, the stadium provided the perfect space for the new expansion team, including a view of the Seekonk River from the pitch, as well as seating designed to make fans feel closer to both the field and the players.
Compared to Gillette Stadium, which is where the Legacy have primarily played in their inaugural season and has a capacity of 64,628, Centreville Bank Stadium holds 10,500 seats and, as a result, gives off the feeling that it’s packed. A total of 9,141 fans had traveled near and far to watch the Swans – many of whom even made the 10-minute walk through the residential neighborhood to get to the stadium – and brought plenty of energy, too, in anticipation.
From inside the press box, you could feel the stadium shaking as fans stomped their feet on the bleachers in excitement while watching the Swans face Seattle in the highly anticipated matchup.
“Even if you have the same number of people that you normally have in Gillette Stadium, here it seems like you have more people, you have an environment more close to the bench [and] the players,” head coach Filipa Patão told The IX Soccer.
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After losing their first five matches of the season, Boston had seemingly transformed overnight into a club that could actually compete – and win. Earlier this month, they secured their first win of the season when they beat Denver, 3-2, on May 3, and, a few days later, secured their first point on the road against New York, 1-1. After defeating Orlando on May 12, 2-1, the Swans looked to continue their winning streak in the Ocean State, but the Reign had other plans.
Seattle’s Sofia Huerta got one in early and scored from the penalty shot at the 11-minute mark of the match. While the Swans continued to attack and look for chances, including Sammy Smith, who missed a close shot from the left side of the box at the 17-minute mark, as well as Aïssata Traoré, who attempted a shot at the 30-minute mark from the centre of the box, which was ultimately saved by Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, their attempts weren’t enough. With just 40 seconds left in the first half, Traoré passed it to Nichelle Prince, who sent a shot flying over the post.
Seattle ended up scoring again early in the second half at the 51-minute mark thanks to Maddie Dahlien, who got her first goal of the season after finishing a cross from Madison Curry. While the Swans rallied in the 89-minute mark with a goal by Traoré, it was taken away due to offside. It wasn’t until after 90-minutes that they scored again on a goal that was assisted by Emerson Elgin, but by then, it was far too late.
Despite the match being a historic occasion, the final outcome wasn’t one that the Legacy wanted. “They [the fans] did their job. The only ones that didn’t do the job was us as a team – we [were] not capable to win this game,” Patão told The IX Soccer after the match. “We had everything in our favor to win the game, but we [lost] control of the game in moments that is hard to lose…Again, the supporters were great. They deserve more from this game.”
Legacy FC team captain Laís Araújo also echoed that disappointment. “It’s great to have the fans here,” she said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to keep growing as a club, (converting) some more fans around the city and feeling the love and the warmth that people want to give to us. I think we’re missing a little bit of showing the ambition of giving this back.”
The Swans struggled in their decision-making and failed to execute during the opportunities that they did have. They had more shot attempts on goal than Seattle, 15-12, and had possession 55.2% of the match, but it wasn’t enough. “I think sometimes these decisions and executions, we were not in our best in that,” said Patão. “We fell a lot of passes, we gave a lot of transitions to the open with bad decisions, and the game is sufficient in decisions.”
While the Swans showed a willingness to play through the loss and ultimately got on the scoreboard in the end, what happens next for Boston depends on how they manage to bounce back from the tough loss.
As Araújo put it, “The effort’s there and everything, but I think for the next step that we need as a club, as a group, is to actually put those points there and get the momentum that we need to show the fans that we are also growing together with them.”
