Morning Sports Update
A major test arrives on Sunday in the form of Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit, who are currently second in the league.
Lilly Reale during a Legacy FC game against Bay FC on July 5. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
July 16, 2026 | 11:13 AM
3 minutes to read
Legacy FC on the rise? After starting the season in dismal form, a local Boston team is finding its footing and making a midseason push to get back into playoff position.
No, this is not about the Red Sox — who themselves have admirably fought back to get into a playoff hunt — it’s a summary of Boston Legacy FC’s inaugural NWSL season to this point. More good news arrived at the final whistle in Wednesday’s clash with the Orlando Pride, as Boston held on for a 1-0 win. It was the first road win in team history.
After starting the season — the club’s first — with five straight defeats, things could only go up for Legacy FC fans. A five-game unbeaten run from late April through mid-May signaled a potential new chapter, but it was somewhat washed away with two more defeats prior to the season pause due to the men’s World Cup.
Since resuming play in July, however, Legacy FC are back to winning ways. A 2-2 draw against Bay FC (which was attained by fighting back from a 0-2 deficit) was followed by wins against Chicago and Orlando.
Defeating the Pride was significant, as it’s not only the first team that Boston has managed to beat twice, but was also a win against the current eighth seed in the projected NWSL playoffs. Eight teams out of the league’s 16 will make the cut, and the Pride (currently 12th) trail the spot by four points.
With plenty of time to close the remaining ground, the postseason — once seen as a distant impossibility after the 0-5 start — could be within reach.
A major test arrives on Sunday in the form of Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit, who are currently second in the league.
Trivia: Which former Boston Breaker (who grew up in Wilton, Conn.) remains the most-capped player international soccer history, notching her final U.S. women’s appearance in 2010 after 23 years with the national team?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: She attended UNC for college.
Scores and schedules:
Boston Legacy FC defeated the Orlando Pride 1-0 on the road on Wednesday, the club’s first road win in its history.
On Sunday, the Legacy will host the Washington Spirit at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket at 7 p.m.
The Red Sox return to action on Friday at Fenway Park to begin a three-game series against the Rays at 1:35 p.m.
And on Sunday, Argentina face Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final (played at MetLife Stadium) at 3 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Summer league: The Celtics won against the Kings in Summer League action on Wednesday 82-76, with Hugo González pacing Boston (24 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists).
On this day: In 2024, Jarren Duran won MVP of the MLB All-Star Game in a 5-3 American League win.
Daily highlight: Andres Cantor’s call of Lautaro Martinez’s winning goal for Argentina in the World Cup semifinal against England was understandably over the top.
¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE ARGENTINAAAAAAA!!! ¡¡¡GOOOOOOL EN LOS ÚLTIMOS MINUTOS!!!
Lautaro Martínez remata de cabeza dentro del área tras una asistencia de Lionel Messi.
El campeón defenderá su corona… ¡Remontada de Argentina! ¡1-2 sobre Inglaterra! pic.twitter.com/G5kXs8cWsj
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 15, 2026
Trivia answer: Kristine Lilly
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
