Massachusetts: Boston To Get A Women’s Pro Soccer Team
Massachusetts received some exciting sports news this week. Boston will finally get a women’s professional soccer team.
“The National Women’s Soccer League has awarded the city of Boston expansion rights for the franchise’s fifteenth team, according to Mayor Wu’s office,” Boston 25 news reported. Moreover, the team will begin their league play in 2026.
Yesterday a press conference was held at City Hall with Mayor Wu in attendance. In addition, the National Women’s Soccer League was onsite along with Boston Unity Soccer Partners to officially announce the club. The full team name, identity, and logo will be announced in 2024.
The NWSL stated that by expanding to Boston, they will bring, “world-class women’s soccer back to the country’s #9 media market to play in a region with a championship legacy for a fan base that has earned a reputation as one of the most passionate in all of global sport.” The Boston team will play their home games at George R. White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park.
Do You Remember The Boston Breakers?
This isn’t the first time women’s professional soccer has had a home in Boston. The Breakers were part of the Women’s United Soccer Association back in 2000. That league dissolved after three years. Then, the Breakers were actually part of the NWSL from 2012 to 2018. Unfortunately, that team folded as well. We will have to see if the new team will be named the Breakers. Although Boston may choose to start from scratch with a brand new professional women’s soccer team.
Who Will Be in Boston’s Competition?
Earlier this year, the NWSL announced two additional expansion teams to join the league. They are Bay FC and Utah Royals FC. However, these two clubs will begin in 2024. In addition, here are the others that are already well-established.
- Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC (Alex Morgan’s team)
- NJ/NY Gotham FC
- North Carolina Courage
- OL Reign
- Washington Spirit
- Orlando Pride
- Angel City FC
- Racing Louisville FC
- Houston Dash
- Kansas City Current
- Chicago Red Stars
“Now in its 11th season, the NWSL is the fastest-growing professional sports league in the U.S. and in 2023, shattered its previous attendance record,” the NWSL concludes. With Boston now getting a professional women’s soccer team, there will certainly be a New England fanbase adding to that number.
The NWSL’s 10th season saw Portland Thorn FC defeat the Kansas City Current in the championship.
A Look at the New U.S. Women's Soccer Uniforms
U.S. Soccer and Nike just revealed the new women’s 2023 home and away USA soccer uniforms. The national team will sport this new look during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, these will also be worn in games and events leading up to the World Cup.
Through a press release, USA Soccer noted, “Starting with listening to the players who embrace their role as trendsetters and boundary-pushers, the design, colors and aesthetic of the jerseys were heavily influenced and built by the players,” while explaining the new design. The players worked with Nike designers and came up with a classic combination of comfort and tradition. On this uniform collection you will notice a custom USA “signature.” “The bespoke mark is hand painted with ink on paper, and is a nod to the abstract expressionism movement, where each artist would sign their painting,” the press release states.
Home Whites
The U.S. women’s team will wear white at home. This combination features one of the more unique patterns you will see in the game. Team U.S.A. describes it by saying, “Highlighting the energy of the USWNT and how they are diverse players and personalities, but always united, the action painting method pattern features a distinctive placement, making every single jersey unique. The jersey also features distinctive gold branding as a nod to the team being the four-time World Cup champions and will be paired with blue shorts and white socks.”
U.S. Women’s national team has four World Cup championships – 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019. This is also recognized in the inner pride mark of the uniform.
Road Blues
The away option will also eventually be worn by the U.S. Men’s team. This is an all-blue arrangement (including shorts and socks) that features “bespoke stars and stripe print on the sleeve cuffs – a diagonal stripe with intersecting stars – and a neckline that also features red blades, formed to look like the tip of stars.”
Innovation
Nike crafted this uniform using innovative design techniques that emphasize player comfort and staying cool. Designers were able to interchange mesh and ribbed textures. This is a method that was not available to them as recently as 2019. Other notable material enhancements include – DRI-FIT technology, 4D data with body mapping technology, and breathability functionality designed to move sweat away from the player’s body. There are two neckline options based on the female athlete’s preference and a new side panel that offers increased stretch.
Furthermore, sustainability was a top priority in the evolution of these uniforms. They are made of 100% recycled polyester from recycled plastic bottles. Less material was utilized. As a result, this almost doubling fabric marker efficiency compared to 2019.
Finally, is the classic Nike Swoosh and USWNT crests. This is comprised of 100% Nike Grind for the first time in a Nike kit. Nike Grind is a collection of recycled materials they developed. It is composed of pre-consumer manufacturing scraps, recycled post-consumer shoes from the Reuse-A-Shoe program, and unsellable footwear.
Fans can purchase the jerseys during a special early access window until April 12 at select retailers, including the U.S. Soccer Store. Visa cardholders have the option to customize their jerseys. After this exclusive offering closes, uniforms will be available to purchase via Nike or USA Soccer on June 5th, with mass distribution aligned to June 8th.
The uniforms will debut on the field during the two-game series against Ireland on April 8th and 11 in Austin, TX, and St. Louis, MO.
Here is a look at the new women’s 2023 USA soccer uniforms.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.