Boston Breakers

Boston Breakers
Nickname(s) Breakers
Founded 2007 (2007)
Stadium Jordan Field
Ground Capacity 4,100 (seated)
Owner Boston Women’s Soccer, LLC
Head Coach Matt Beard
League National Women's Soccer League
Website Club website

The Boston Breakers are an American professional soccer club based in the Boston neighborhood of Allston.[1] The team competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). They replaced the original Breakers, who competed in the defunct Women's United Soccer Association, as the Boston area's professional women's soccer team.

The Breakers currently play their home games at Jordan Field, in Boston, MA, and are managed by Matt Beard.

History

Original franchise

The original Boston Breakers played in the WUSA from 2001 to 2003. In the final season in the WUSA, the Breakers had their best record (10–4–7) and placed first in the regular season before losing to the Washington Freedom in the semifinals.[1]

Women's Professional Soccer

Re-establishment (2007–2009)

Boston Breakers, 2009

The formation of Women's Professional Soccer was announced on September 4, 2007, during which time it was also announced that a franchise had been awarded to Boston.

The Boston Breakers franchise was officially unveiled on October 26, 2008. At the time it was the only professional women's sports team in Massachusetts.[2] Joe Cummings was named the President and General Manager and he had previously worked for the Breakers franchise in the WUSA.[3] In September 2007, Tony DiCicco was appointed as the club's first head coach.

During the WPS national team player allocation on September 16, 2008 the Breakers acquired Heather Mitts and former Breakers players, Kristine Lilly and Angela Hucles.[4] The club acquired Amy Rodriguez as the first overall pick in the 2009 WPS Soccer Draft in St. Louis on January 30, 2009.[5]

2009 season

Boston Breaker, Amy LePeilbet, defends against the Saint Louis Athletica

The Breakers played their debut match in the inaugural season of Women's Professional Soccer against FC Gold Pride in Santa Clara, California losing 2–1.[6]

Its first home match was against St. Louis Athletica on April 11, 2009, in which the Breakers lost 2–0.[6][7] The Breakers finished the season in fifth place with a 7–9–4 record.

2010 season

2011 season

2012 league suspension

On January 16, 2012, the Breakers announced that they signed United States U-23 national team defender, Bianca D'Agostino.[8] Australian national team forward, Kyah Simon, was acquired by the Breakers in anticipation of the 2012 season as well. Simon scored two goals against Norway in the 2011 World Cup, which advanced Australia to the quarter-finals.[9] Her goals made her the first ever Aboriginal to score a goal in a World Cup tournament.[10]

The league announced on January 30, 2012 that the 2012 Women's Professional Soccer season was suspended.[11] On February 9, 2012 the club announced it would compete in the newly formed WPSL Elite for the 2012 season, with the expectation that it would rejoin the WPS for the 2013 season.[12] The semi-pro league has no restrictions on the types of players, whether they be professional or amateur.

After the WPS suspension, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher returned to her former club, Turbine Potsdam, after playing for the Breakers during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.[13]

Women's Premier Soccer League Elite

In 2012, the Boston Breakers joined the Women's Premier Soccer League Elite.[14] The team finished in first place clinching the regular season title with an 11–3–0 record, the best season in the franchise history. They lost 3–1 against the Chicago Red Stars in the WPSL Elite semifinals.[15]

National Women's Soccer League

In November 2012, it was announced that the Breakers would be one of eight teams in a new women's professional soccer league sponsored by the United States Soccer Federation, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation.[16] On January 11, 2013, the league held its player allocation for the national team players, with Boston receiving seven players, including two returning former Breakers Heather O'Reilly and Heather Mitts.[17] The other players assigned to the Breakers were Anisa Guajardo, Adriana Leon, Sydney Leroux, Cecilia Santiago, and Rhian Wilkinson.[17]

2013 season

The 2013 Boston Breakers season was the club's eighth overall year of existence, fourth consecutive year, and first year as a member of the National Women's Soccer League. They played 22 games, finishing with 8 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses. They did not qualify for the post-season playoffs, and finished the season at fifth place in an eight team league.

2014 season

The 2014 Boston Breakers season was the club's ninth overall year of existence, fifth consecutive year, and second year as a member of the National Women's Soccer League. They played 24 games, finishing with 6 wins, 2 draws, and 16 losses. They did not qualify for the post-season playoffs, and finished the season at eighth place in a nine team league.

2015 season

The 2015 Boston Breakers season, was the club's tenth overall year of existence, sixth consecutive year, and third year as a member of the National Women's Soccer League. They played 20 games, finishing with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 13 losses. They did not qualify for the post-season playoffs, and finished the season at ninth place in a nine team league.[18]

2016 season

The 2016 Boston Breakers season was the club's eleventh overall year of existence, seventh consecutive year, and fourth year as a member of the National Women's Soccer League. They played 20 games, finishing with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 15 losses. They did not qualify for the post-season playoffs, and finished the season at tenth place in a ten team league.

2017 season

The 2017 Boston Breakers season will be the club's twelfth overall year of existence, eighth consecutive year, and fifth year as a member of the National Women's Soccer League. They will play 24 games in 2017.

Stadium

Jordan Field (2014–present)

The Boston Breakers currently play their home games at Jordan Field, a 4,100 seat, multi-purpose facility located on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jordan Field was formally known as Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium.

Dilboy Stadium (2012–2013)

The Breakers played at Dilboy Stadium in the Boston suburb of Somerville, Massachusetts[19] for their 2012 and 2013 seasons, the move from Harvard to Dilboy concurrent with their league move to the WPSL Elite.[20]

Harvard Stadium (2009–2011)

Boston used Harvard Stadium, the 30,323 seat home football stadium of the Harvard Crimson, from 2009 through 2011. In 2012, shortly after joining the newly created Women's Premier Soccer League Elite, the Breakers moved their home field to Jordan Field.[21]

Broadcasting

As of 2017, Boston Breakers games are streamed exclusively by Go90 for American audiences and via the NWSL website for international viewers.[22] As part of a three-year agreement with A&E Networks, Lifetime broadcasts one NWSL Game of the Week on Saturday afternoons.[23][24] The Breakers will be featured in the nationally-televised Game of the Week on September 2, 2017.[25]

Previous seasons' games were broadcast on YouTube,[26] MediaBoss Television,[27] ESPN,[28] and Fox Sports.[29]

Supporters

The team has an official supporters group called the Boston Armada.[30][31]

Players and coaches

Current roster

As of June 30, 2017 [32]
No. Position Player Nation
2 Defender Chapman, AllyshaAllysha Chapman  Canada
3 Defender Elby, BrookeBrooke Elby  United States
4 Defender Oyster, MeganMegan Oyster  United States
5 Midfielder DaCosta, AmandaAmanda DaCosta  Portugal
7 Forward Haavi, EmilieEmilie Haavi  Norway
8 Defender King, JulieJulie King  United States
9 Forward Dowie, NatashaNatasha Dowie  England
10 Midfielder White, RosieRosie White  New Zealand
11 Midfielder Lavelle, RoseRose Lavelle  United States
14 Goalkeeper Smith, AbbyAbby Smith  United States
15 Goalkeeper Prudhomme, Sammy JoSammy Jo Prudhomme  United States
17 Defender Frisbie, AmandaAmanda Frisbie  United States
18 Forward Weimer, TiffanyTiffany Weimer  United States
19 Forward Leon, AdrianaAdriana Leon  Canada
20 Defender Westphal, ChristenChristen Westphal  United States
21 Forward Purce, MidgeMidge Purce  United States
22 Forward Onumonu, IfeomaIfeoma Onumonu  United States
23 Forward Stengel, KatieKatie Stengel  United States
25 Midfielder Andrews, MorganMorgan Andrews  United States
26 Midfielder Salem, AngelaAngela Salem  United States

Head coaches

Ownership and team management

Michael Stoller is a managing partner of Boston Women's Soccer, LLC, the ownership group overseeing the Breakers.[34]

Records and statistics

Year League Pos. Playoffs W L D Pts. GF GA Home Away
2009 WPS 5th Did not qualify 7 9 4 25 18 20 4–3–3 3–6–1
2010 WPS 2nd Super Semifinal 10 8 6 36 36 28 5–6–1 5–2–5
2011 WPS 4th First Round 5 9 4 19 19 24 4–3–2 1–6–2
2012 WPSLE 1st First Round 11 3 0 33 28 9 6–1–0 5–2–0
2013 NWSL 5th Did Not Qualify 8 8 6 30 35 34 5–3–3 3–5–3
2014 NWSL 8th Did Not Qualify 6 16 2 20 37 53 5–7–0 1–9–2
2015 NWSL 9th Did Not Qualify 4 13 3 15 22 43 4–5–1 0–8–2
2016 NWSL 10th Did Not Qualify 3 15 2 11 14 47 2–6–2 1–9–0

Honors

Individual Player Awards

Player of the Week

Year League Week Player Ref
2009 WPS Week 3 England Kelly Smith
2010 WPS Week 17 England Kelly Smith
2011 WPS Week 9 United States Meghan Klingenberg
2011 WPS Week 10 United States Alyssa Naeher
2011 WPS Week 18 United States Lauren Cheney
2013 NWSL Week 3 United States Heather O'Reilly [36]
2013 NWSL Week 4 United States Sydney Leroux [37]
2013 NWSL Week 7 England Lianne Sanderson [37]
2013 NWSL Week 13 United States Sydney Leroux [37]
2015 NWSL Week 17 United States Alyssa Naeher [38]
2017 NWSL Week 3 Canada Adriana Leon [39]

Player of the Month

Month League Player Ref
April 2009 WPS England Kelly Smith [40]
July 2010 WPS United States Jordan Angeli [41]
August 2010 WPS England Kelly Smith [42]
April 2017 NWSL United States Rose Lavelle [43]

Pillars of Excellence

Two pillars at the southern part of the colonnade at Harvard Stadium

In summer 2009, the Breakers began a tradition of honoring legends from the past with commemorative banners at Harvard Stadium.[44] The award's Pillars of Excellence name was influenced by the stadium's iconic colonnade. Players from both Boston Breakers (WUSA) and the WPS/WPSL Elite/NWSL entry are considered.

Maren Meinert became the first inductee during a halftime ceremony on May 17, 2009 when the Breakers hosted the Washington Freedom. During her final season in 2003 Meinert was named the WUSA's Most Valuable Player for the regular season and MVP of the WUSA All-Star Game.[44] Angela Hucles was inducted on May 1, 2010 during a home game against the Chicago Red Stars.[45] Kristine Lilly was inducted during halftime of a match against the Philadelphia Independence May 23, 2011.[46] Leslie Osborne was inducted during halftime of a home game against Sky Blue FC.[47]

Inducted Player Position League Years
May 22, 2015 United States Leslie Osborne Midfielder WPS/WPSL Elite 2010–12
May 23, 2011 United States Kristine Lilly Midfielder/Forward WUSA/WPS 2001–03, 2009–10
May 1, 2010 United States Angela Hucles Midfielder WUSA/WPS 2001–03, 2009
May 17, 2009 Germany Maren Meinert Midfielder/Forward WUSA 2001–03

Supporters Award

In 2017 the official supporters group of the Boston Breakers, The Boston Armada, began a tradition of awarding one player at each home game with a supporters award. Officially dubbed, "The Chunk Award", it recognizes a player's individual contribution to the team during the match. The trophy for 2017 is representative of the unofficial mascot of the Boston Breakers, "Chunk", a British Bulldog owned by team GM Lee Billard.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Breakers History". Boston Breakers Women's Professional Soccer. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ Eldred, Sheila (January 25, 2009). "Call It a Comeback With women's pro soccer ready to strike with a new league, Boston Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco, 60, believes that, this time, failure is not an option.". The Boston Globe.
  3. ↑ Belson, Ken (July 9, 2009). "Women's soccer sets the bar low; New league tackles daunting times with start-up mentality". The New York Times. Cambridge, Massachusetts. p. 11. You have to have some pioneer spirit, said Joe Cummings, the president and general manager of the Boston Breakers, who worked for the franchise in the old league, too. If you're not willing to make the sacrifices beyond the white line, this is not for you.
  4. ↑ Daniels, Mark (September 17, 2008). "Boston Breakers net stars". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ Garcia, Mark (January 30, 2009). "A-Rod is No. 1 pick in WPS Draft". The Orange County Register.
  6. 1 2 "Boston Breakers stats". Soccerway Women. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ McClatchy (April 11, 2009). "BRIEF: Women's Professional Soccer: Schmedes, Breakers set for second game". Odessa American. Texas.
  8. ↑ "Breakers Sign Midfielder Bianca D'Agostino". Norwood, Massachusetts: Boston Breakers. January 16, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Success story". Blacktown Sun. February 27, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Kyah Simon joins Boston Breakers". FootballAustralia.com.au. January 13, 2012. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ "WPS Suspends Play for 2012 Season". Women's Professional Soccer. January 30, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Breakers to compete in new WPSL Elite Women’s Soccer League in 2012". WomensProSoccer.com. February 9, 2012. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  13. ↑ Tim Grainey (February 27, 2012). "Flight Abroad For WPS Veterans". Soccer365.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ "2012 WPSL Elite Season Preview". National Soccer Coaches of America Association. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Breakers fall to Chicago in WPSL Elite semifinals". Boston Breakers. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  16. ↑ Dan Lauletta (November 21, 2012). "Eight teams to start new women’s pro soccer league in 2013". The Equalizer. The Equalizer. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Women's league allocates top players". ESPN. January 11, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ "2015 Standings – National Women's Soccer League". www.nwslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Boston Breakers to join new professional women's league in 2013". Boston Breakers. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Boston Breakers to play at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville". Boston Women's Soccer, LLC. Boston Breakers. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Boston Breakers to Play at Harvard Stadium in 2014". Boston Breakers. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  22. ↑ "NWSL, go90 announce exclusive streaming partnership". Black and Red United (SBNation). Vox Media. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Lifetime To Air National Women’s Soccer League Games As A+E Networks Kicks In For Equity Stake". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  24. ↑ "A+E Networks, National Women’s Soccer League Ink Major Deal". Variety. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  25. ↑ Forrester, Nick (30 March 2017). "NWSL announces 2017 broadcast schedule on Lifetime". Excelle Sports. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  26. ↑ Dure, Beau (13 April 2017). "A season on the brink: wide-open NWSL making strides as fifth year kicks off". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  27. ↑ Murlin, Krista. "Boston Breakers announce live streaming option for the 2013 season". NWSL News. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  28. ↑ "ESPN Announces Broadcast of NWSL Matches". Boston Breakers. May 28, 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  29. ↑ "NWSL, FOX Sports announce national broadcast deal". Boston Breakers. June 30, 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  30. ↑ "The Boston Armada". BostonBreakers.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  31. ↑ Yang, Stephanie (August 2, 2016). "Breakers reveal business details, plans for 2017". The Bent Musket. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Roster". BostonBreakers.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Coaching Staff". BostonBreakersSoccer.com. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  34. ↑ "Women's Professional Soccer League to Launch in 2009". PR Newswire. September 4, 2007.
  35. ↑ "LePeilbet named WPS' top defender". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Breakers midfielder Heather O'Reilly named NWSL Player of the Week - Boston Breakers". www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
  37. 1 2 3 "2013 NWSL Player of the Week & Month". Pitchside Report. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  38. ↑ "2015 NWSL Player of the Week & Month". Pitchside Report. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Adriana Leon Named Player of the Week". NWSL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  40. ↑ Civin, Todd (May 1, 2009). "WPS: Boston's Kelly Smith Named April Player of the Month". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  41. ↑ Green, Lauren (June 2, 2011). "The Journey Continues for Boston Breakers Midfielder Jordan Angeli". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Kelly Smith". Women's Professional Soccer. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011.
  43. ↑ Yang, Stephanie (May 3, 2017). "Rose Lavelle named NWSL player of the month". The Bent Musket. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Former Breaker Maren Meinert to be Inducted Into Pillars of Excellence at May 17 Home Game". Boston Breakers. May 5, 2009.
  45. ↑ "Former Breaker Angela Hucles to be Inducted into Pillars of Excellence at May 1 Home Game". Boston Breakers Boston Breakers Boston Breakers. April 29, 2010.
  46. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (May 23, 2011). "Boston Breakers 1–1 Philadelphia Independence: Breakers draw as Lilly is honored". The Equalizer. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  47. ↑ Boston Women's Soccer (April 16, 2015). "Breakers to retire Leslie Osborne's number at May 22 game vs. Sky Blue FC". BostonBreakersSoccer.com. Boston Women's Soccer, LLC. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
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