© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Starting fast was always going to be a tough task for the Boston Legacy. Not only are they a new team within the National Women’s Soccer League, but they are a relatively unproven one featuring very few players with NWSL experience. And they are led by Filipa Patão, who is embarking on her first head coaching assignment outside of Portugal.
After four games, Boston are without a point, but not without reasons to be positive. They have competed in every outing bar the 3-0 defeat away to a resurgent Houston Dash, and got their first goal in a 2-1 loss to the Utah Royals. Time to settle is a necessity for this team more than any other in the league right now; if and when they do, there is no reason for them to stay bottom of the table.
Patão is in the process of instilling an extremely aggressive defensive style, involving a great deal of player-to-player marking all over the field. It’s a boom or bust style that can go very well or very badly depending on a single one-versus-one duel. Understandably, this Boston side have not perfected this style inside four games. Still, they are making life uncomfortable for every opponent they face.
Access the best women’s soccer coverage all year long
Start your FREE, 7-day trial of The Equalizer Extra for industry-leading reporting and insight on the USWNT, NWSL and beyond.
