Boston vs. New York rivalry arrives in NWSL for Legacy FC’s debut

FOXBOROUGH — On a day when Legacy FC’s NFL debut inspired the unprecedented development of more than 30,000 fans at Gillette Stadium to watch women’s soccer, it was the all-too-familiar scene of a spirited clash between Boston and New York that dominated most of the game.

By the end of Gotham FC’s 1-0 win, both teams had been dealt an NWSL record eight yellow cards (not including a second yellow card received by Legacy FC defender Bianca St-Georges, which then became a red card in the 77th minute). This has sparked a description from Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros that has stretched the Madrid native’s English vocabulary.

“I guess that’s the naughty word, isn’t it?” He told reporters in the post-match press conference. “But we know it’s Boston and New York, the first game in front of 30,000 fans. We needed to keep calm, and I would really like to highlight the calmness of my players.”

Gotham, the reigning NFL champions, showed their experience by remaining a little more composed than their Boston counterparts (especially in front of goal, where Spanish international Esther Gonzalez scored the only score of the day past Legacy’s premier goalkeeper Casey Murphy).

Bringing up the Boston-New York component, Amoros felt he was instantly recognizable to fans of other sports in the local scene. Apparently, no matter the circumstances, a team from Boston will compete with their opponents in New York.

However, both coaches relied on the intensity of the match.

“In terms of the physicality of the game, it’s obviously the NFL,” Amoros said. “I think so [it was] Maybe a little more than expected in any match, but that’s part of the game.

Legacy FC coach Philippa Patau defended her players’ aggressiveness.

“In terms of mistakes and fitness, first of all, it’s natural,” she said. “We’re here in this league, and we’re going to be physical.”

Playing a version of their preferred style – Boston clearly has some miles to go before reaching the final version – Legacy FC pressed Gotham to win the ball back and didn’t back down from the tackle.

“I think players need to be like this,” Patau said. “When you don’t have the ball, you have to be aggressive.”

Trailing in the second half and down to 10 men after St. George’s dismissal, Legacy FC really needed the ball (eventually losing the possession battle against Gotham, 53-47).

Patau has admitted that her team needs to work on their decision-making regarding tackles – perhaps a reference to St George’s dismissal for an unnecessary boundary challenge in midfield.

Furthermore, the attack-minded Portuguese coach indicated that she prefers to think more about what her team does when in possession rather than defence.

She added: “For me, I do not focus on the physicality of the match. I focus on what my team did with the ball, and the moments in which we played.” [keep] “The ball and the comfort we have in those moments.”

By the end of the game, it was clear that both teams were already looking forward to a rematch in May (when Boston travels to play at Sports Illustrated’s home stadium, Gotham Stadium).

But despite the rapidly evolving rivalry, Amoros paused to consider the larger circumstances as Legacy FC took its first steps into the new world of the NWSL.

“I would really like to congratulate Boston, the city, and everyone involved behind the scenes to make sure this was possible,” he said. “I think the future is bright for them.”