
As trial date for White Stadium lawsuit closes in, Boston's NWSL outfit gets backing from league commissioner
When asked if she expects the stadium — and BOS Nation FC — to be ready for a debut in March 2026, Berman said: 'Our current expectation is that we will be ready to launch.'
Advertisement
Demolition has begun at the stadium in Franklin Park, the first phase of a construction project with a total cost expected to eventually reach approximately $200 million.
The city's price tag sits at $91 million. That figure is expected to grow, with the final bill for BOS Nation FC expected to top the city's share.
But opponents of the White Stadium project, led by the
The trial is scheduled for March 18.
BOS Nation FC still hopes to begin playing in the stadium, even if the renovation is not completed, by next March when it debuts as an NWSL expansion team.
The expansion into Boston and Denver — the latter announced in January — for next year will bring the NWSL to 16 teams, the target number of franchises outlined by Berman in 2023.
It will cap a period of rapid growth for the women's soccer league, which launched in 2013 with eight teams. Kansas City (2021), Louisville (2021), Los Angeles (2022), San Diego (2022), the Bay Area (2024), and Utah (2024) have added teams in the last five years.
Advertisement
The NWSL season begins Friday with the Challenge Cup in Orlando. The defending champion Pride host the Washington Spirit, whom the Pride beat in the final in November, at 8 p.m. You can watch on Amazon Prime.
Information from previous Globe stories was used in this report.
Katie McInerney can be reached at

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
NASCAR race at Michigan: Time, TV channel with Amazon Prime in Week 3 of Cup coverage
It's Week 15 of NASCAR's Cup season. And Week 3 of NASCAR's Amazon Prime Video era. Some of you have found your way to Prime and are likely enjoying the product. Others either can't or won't participate in Prime time. Advertisement For those, this weekly "How to watch" feature might better be titled "What you're missing." But you still have some options this week, with the Truck Series racing on an actual network (Fox!) while the ARCA cars will be turning laps on one of Fox's cable arms (FS2). It all takes place at Michigan International Speedway, just outside of Detroit. NASCAR PRIME TIME: NASCAR on Amazon Prime, through two races, is mixed bag of good reviews and frustration Tyler Reddick won last year's race at Michigan and celebrated in typical form. Friday: ARCA gets spotlight at Michigan 5 p.m.: ARCA Series, Henry Ford Health 200 (FS2). Saturday: Cup Series qualifying, Truck Series race 9:30 a.m.: Cup Series practice (Prime). Advertisement 10:40: Cup Series qualifying (Prime). Noon: Truck Series, DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 (Fox). Sunday: Week 15 of NASCAR's 2025 Cup Series season 2 p.m.: Cup Series, FireKeepers Casino 400 (Prime). This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR Michigan race: Time, TV channel. How to watch on Amazon Prime
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Scottish rugby needs Smith to stay at Glasgow'
Former Glasgow Warriors captain Fraser Brown says it is crucial Franco Smith remains at Scotstoun, not only for the club but Scottish rugby as a whole. Smith's contract as Glasgow head coach runs until the summer of 2026, but he has been linked with a move, most notably with the vacant Wales job. Advertisement When asked by BBC Scotland in the wake of Saturday's URC semi-final defeat to Leinster if he would still be at Warriors next season, Smith offered no guarantees and said he would "go and reflect a little bit". "Franco's done such a fantastic job since he came in just three years ago," former Scotland hooker Brown told BBC Scotland. "Obviously winning the league last year, but reaching a European (Challenge Cup) final as well the year before in his first year. "He's done an amazing job, so I think it'll be important for the club to keep him around, but also for Scottish rugby. Advertisement "I think it's important to have some sort of stability with Sean Everett, I think his contract runs to the end of next season with Edinburgh. Franco's contract runs to the end of next season with Glasgow. "Gregor Townsend's contract runs to the end of 2026 with Scotland. So there are a lot of moving parts in the next 18 months within Scottish rugby. "I think having Franco there next year, having some sort of stability, allowing them to plan long term, is really important for the union."

Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
US Women won $1M tonight. Huh? Plus: Boston Legacy gets a much-needed win
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is 's weekly women's soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox. 'Hi guys, I'm back. Did you miss me? Because I missed you.' — Kim Kardashian, but also NWSL after the international window. Advertisement Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin and Jeff Rueter — welcome to Full Time! Band's Back Together US Women win $1 million Last week, Carli Lloyd scored a stunning game-winning goal and Hope Solo made a diving save. Tonight, the US Women captured another title. Wait, what? Don't turn that dial! You are still in the right newsletter. The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition, has become something of a post-retirement playground for the U.S. women's national team — with a $1 million prize on the line. The tournament originally started as a men's-only competition in Cary, N.C. But when US Women showed up in the second year, competing among the men, they became an instant fan favorite. So much so that the competition expanded to include a women's division last year … and US Women took home the title. Advertisement While Solo's team, Solo FC, fell in the quarterfinals this year, Lloyd and US Women beat Bumpy Pitch FC — headlined by former Gotham FC midfielder McCall Zerboni — in tonight's final to go back-to-back. Twenty-year-old University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores scored the million-dollar goal. The goal adds to Shore's recent success, which includes being the only college player called into the USWNT under-23 camp last month and scoring the winning goal in the team's friendly against Germany on May 30. Spearheaded by the energizer bunny of the USWNT, Heather O'Reilly, US Women have become a mix of the legends you know and the youth players you know. NWSL Updates Game of the weekend Despite several players having just returned from various trips with their national teams, this weekend's NWSL action did not suffer. There were big goals and plenty of lead changes. Advertisement However, Saturday's 2-2 draw between Angel City FC and the Chicago Stars had the goal of the week … and maybe the year. Just watch Ally Schlegel's go-head goal for yourself: Angel City's first match under new head coach Alexander Straus had a lot of layers to it. Thankfully Tamerra is here to sum it up: Twenty-year-old defender Savy King returned to BMO Stadium for the first time since she collapsed during a game on May 9 and was rushed to the hospital. King, the No. 2 draft pick in 2024, underwent surgery and was discharged on May 18. Shortly after kickoff Saturday, the in-stadium video screen and ION broadcast panned to a smiling King, who waved to the crowd and made the shape of a heart with her hands. She joined her teammates on the pitch after the match as well. Angel City midfielder Kennedy Fuller, one of the night's goal scorers, said after the game that it was great 'to be able to see her so healthy and happy.' Advertisement On the field, there were a few moments that made me wonder whether Straus, who joined Angel City from Bayern Munich, would be subject to the same rude awakening the NWSL has previously dealt European coaches. Sharing points with the team currently sitting bottom of the table isn't exactly the ideal impression a new manager wants to set, but for what it was worth, Straus seemed to enjoy his first NWSL experience. NWSL adds new rules As Dua Lipa once said: 'I got new rules, I count 'em.' On Thursday, the NWSL announced a change to its rulebook that allows its teams to loan players to clubs within the league. Advertisement Loans were already a growing part of the league's sporting operation, with many clubs sending young players to temporary stops in the USL Super League and other circuits. Jeff explains that this change is a big one. Clubs sending players on loan can still ensure they'll be part of their plans at the end of the season when their loans expire — if they're under contracts. Teams acquiring loanees, as soon as the window opens on July 1, can round out their rosters by bringing in players for less than their full wage, with the loaning team covering the rest. Players have even more options available for their development, meaning a rookie could sign with a contender out of college and still have a path to starting NWSL minutes in their first season. Meg's Corner: Boston Legacy embraces swans Following the reveal of Boston Legacy FC's new crest Saturday, there's been no drama (whew) — just a range of solidly positive (or at the very least, neutral) reactions to the badge. It looked like a great party, too, despite the rain on Boston Common. They even had a fully wrapped Duck Boat. Peak Boston. Advertisement I spoke to designer Matthew Wolff and managing owner Jennifer Epstein before the launch. You can take a look for yourself at the new design details here. The swan and its history in the area are big, but it's the details — including a nod to the original eight NWSL clubs, represented by the number of feathers on the swan (and their angles designed to reflect the Zakim Bridge) — that make the crest stand out. It's a big win for the Legacy, one that they've needed. The club also told me it did mid-five-figure sales in merch on launch day and picked up over 100 new season ticket deposits at Saturday's event. It's not just a momentum swing in the right direction, roughly eight months out from the team's inaugural preseason — it's a new bridge to building trust and relationships with the community of Boston. 📊 Time to let us know how you feel. What do you think of Boston's new look? Need to Know Giráldez's farewell tour in Washington Jonatan Giráldez won the first of his last three games in charge of the Washington Spirit yesterday, a 3-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage (who were without head coach Sean Nahas due to medical reasons). It was Giráldez's last game at Audi Field. Advertisement The reception was largely positive — though there were chants for assistant Adrián González, who would take on Giráldez's job at the end of the match — but winning helps that. On Friday, Giráldez called his midseason departure to lead OL Lyonnes 'not ideal,' but encouraged fans and players to 'keep working' and supporting the team. If you are still trying to make sense of the structure that allows Giráldez to move so swiftly from owner Michele Kang's Spirit in D.C. to OL Lyonnes in France, Asli Pelit broke down the business of multi-club ownership and why it's growing in popularity. England roster set We knew who wasn't going before we knew who was. Advertisement A trio of England exits ahead of Euro 2025 brought an air of uncertainty to head coach Sarina Wiegman's 23-player selection for the 2025 European Championship this summer. First, goalkeeper Mary Earps announced that she was retiring from international football. Then England trounced Portugal 6-0 in the UEFA Nations League. Midfielder Fran Kirby was a second-half substitute in the match, but she didn't feature in the following 2-1 loss to Spain. Shortly after the final whistle, she, too, announced her retirement from international football, saying to ESPN: 'I just didn't want to overstay my welcome.' Wednesday morning, ahead of Thursday's squad announcement, defender Millie Bright shared that she was withdrawing from selection, saying she was 'not able to give 100 percent mentally or physically.' Bright later underwent a minor knee surgery. Advertisement Still, the core Wiegman has been building on the field remains, and we now know the full team going to Switzerland to defend its Euros crown. View our full roster analysis. Full Time First Looks Changing coaches: Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with women's team head coach Robert Vilahamn over the weekend. The decision follows men's team head coach Ange Postecoglou leaving Spurs, just 16 days after winning the Europa League final. Transfer talks: Chloe Kelly has already been through a transfer saga this year with her loan from City to Arsenal in January. Now, with those terms winding down, Arsenal have confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the 27-year-old goal scorer for a new contract. Kelly was key to Arsenal's Champions League final victory. Advertisement Hungry Becky Eyes: Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn got a hometown hero's welcome last week at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mo., as the U.S. defeated Jamaica 4-0. We've known about her leadership, but hearing about the look she gives players after a mistake felt too relatable. 'Becky doesn't get mad often, but if you mess up,' former teammate and friend Lynn Biyendolo said, 'she'll give you this look, that 'I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed' look. That's the Becky look.' 🗳️ Send us your questions: We are answering your questions on the 'Full Time' podcast next week. Email us your burning queries and you may hear them answered on next week's episode. 📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo's women's sports hub, in partnership with Also, check out our other newsletters. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Advertisement NWSL, Full Time Newsletter 2025 The Athletic Media Company