Boston's NWSL team announces new name after previous attempt was a major fumble

"It's a great day to start a new legacy. To write a new chapter and build something bigger than ourselves," an X post about the new team name reads.

"As one of the newest teams in the National Women’s Soccer League set to take the pitch in 2026, we’re here to honor Boston’s sports legacy and make history of our own," the club's official website reads. "This club is a commitment to the city of Boston and the game we love. Together with our community we will forge a legacy of championships and impact; on and off the pitch. Join us as we bring women’s soccer back to Boston. This is Boston’s next great sports legacy."

In October 2024, the team announced that its name would be Bos Nation, an anagram of "Bostonian" in a widely-criticized and now deleted ad campaign that focused on how sports have "too many balls."

"Old balls, new balls. Steel balls. Cold balls. Even GOAT balls. Yeah, Boston loves its balls," the ad said. "But maybe, there are too many balls in this town."

The ad was criticized for both its perceived erasure of other professional Boston women's sports teams, and its transphobia.

Quinn, who was the first out nonbinary player in the NWSL and now plays for Vancouver Rise FC in the Northern Super League pointed out the gender essentialism in the ad, saying "this doesn't represent the league and it is such poor messaging."

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) at the time, Bos Nation Football Club wrote, "We had hoped to create a bold and buzzworthy brand launch campaign, we missed the mark. We fully acknowledge that the content of the campaign did not reflect the safe and welcoming environment we strive to create for all, and we apologize to the LGBTQ+ community and to the trans community in particular for the hurt we caused."

After the backlash, the team posted "An Update To Our Community" online, where it detailed steps ownership was taking to listen to fans, including a Fan Feedback Survey, virtual fan feedback sessions, a local professional women's sports teams listening session, and a supporter listening session.

"We're grateful to our community and fans for their openness and willingness to share their perspectives– thank you for that," Jennifer Epstein, Controlling Owner of Boston Unity Soccer Partners said in a statement on the site. "This process has been invaluable and to the ownership group, we hear you. Your voices have made it clear that revisiting our team name is essential, and we're fully committed to building a club identity that reflects the ambition of a women's professional soccer team in Boston."

Now, after a list of 500 suggestions, which was then whittled down to a shortlist of 14 names, the team has decided to go with Boston Legacy FC.

Boston Legacy FC will be joining the NWSL in 2026 along with a still-to-be-named Denver team, bringing the league to 16 teams.