An NWSL rivalry was born on Saturday, as expansion side Boston visited Gotham FC for the first time this season — ultimately splitting the difference in a 1-1 draw.
Both goals came over the course of three minutes. Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw scored in the 37th minute, before Legacy midfielder Alba Caño leveled the field in the 40th.
“I think the team starts to understand,” said Legacy manager Filipa Patão. “To beat us will start to be very, very hard, because we fight until the last minute.”
“I don’t feel a rivalry, yet, but maybe my standards are a little high,” laughed Gotham forward Midge Purce.
The regional feud drew a crowd. 11,308 fans took advantage of NYC Mayor Mamdani’s $5 ticket campaign, ranking as Gotham’s fourth-most attended regular-season match on record.
And the stars definitely came out. The mayor subsequently linked up with NWSL icon Ali Krieger, WNBA legend Sue Bird, and USWNT coach Emma Hayes at Red Bull Arena.
“That’s what you dream of as a player, to be able to get out and give a crowd something to cheer about,” said Gotham midfielder Savannah McCaskill.
