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Boston Breakers

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This article is about the National Women's Soccer League team and founding WPS member. For other uses, see Boston Breakers (disambiguation).

Boston Breakers
Nickname(s)Breakers
FoundedSeptember 4, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-09-04)
DissolvedJanuary 28, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-01-28)
StadiumJordan Field
Capacity4,100 (seated)
OwnerBoston Women’s Soccer, LLC
Head CoachMatt Beard
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
Websitehttp://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com

The Boston Breakers were an American professional women's soccer club based in the Boston neighborhood of Allston.[1] The team competed 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. Boston would eventually be awarded BOS Nation FC in 2023 that would begin play in 2026.

The Breakers played their home games at Jordan Field in Boston and were managed in their final season by Matt Beard.

History

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Original franchise

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Main article: Boston Breakers (WUSA)

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

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Re-establishment (2007–2009)

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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

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Boston Breaker, Amy LePeilbet, defends against the Saint Louis Athletica
Main article: 2009 Boston Breakers season

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.

See also: 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season

2010 season

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Main article: 2010 Boston Breakers season
See also: 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season

2011 season

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Main article: 2011 Boston Breakers season
See also: 2011 Women's Professional Soccer season

2012 league suspension

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On January 16, 2012, the Breakers announced that they signed United States U-23 national team defender, Bianca D'Agostino.[8] The Breakers also acquired Australian national team forward Kyah Simon in anticipation of the 2012 season. 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 Aboriginal player to score a goal in a World Cup tournament.[10]

The league announced on January 30, 2012, that it had suspended the 2012 season.[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 had no restrictions on whether players were professional or amateur.

After the WPS season was suspended, 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

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Main article: 2012 Boston Breakers season

In 2012, the Boston Breakers competed in 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] The team was coached by Lisa Cole.

National Women's Soccer League

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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

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Main article: 2013 Boston Breakers 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

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Main article: 2014 Boston Breakers 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

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Main article: 2015 Boston Breakers 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

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Main article: 2016 Boston Breakers 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

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Main article: 2017 Boston Breakers season

The 2017 Boston Breakers season was 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 played 24 games, finishing with 4 wins, 7 draws, and 13 losses. They did not qualify for the post-season playoffs, and finished the season in ninth place of a ten-team league.

2018 season

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After failed last-minute attempts to sell the club to the owners of the New England Revolution[19] and to local commercial real estate developers,[20] the Boston Breakers officially folded on January 25, 2018 and did not participate in the NWSL in 2018.[21] Reports generally blamed lack of marketing and resultant limited fanbase for the club's demise.[22][23]

Stadium

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See also: NWSL stadiums

Jordan Field (2014–2017)

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The Boston Breakers played their home games for their final four seasons at Jordan Field, a 4,100 seat, multi-purpose facility located on the campus of Harvard University in Allston, Massachusetts. Jordan Field was formerly known as Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium.

Dilboy Stadium (2012–2013)

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The Breakers played at Dilboy Stadium in the Boston suburb of Somerville, Massachusetts[24] for their 2012 and 2013 seasons, the move from Harvard to Dilboy concurrent with their league move to the WPSL Elite.[25]

Harvard Stadium (2009–2011)

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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.[26]

Broadcasting

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See also: National Women's Soccer League § Broadcasting

As of 2017, Boston Breakers games were streamed exclusively by Go90 for American audiences and via the NWSL website for international viewers.[27] As part of a three-year agreement with A&E Networks, Lifetime broadcasts one NWSL Game of the Week on Saturday afternoons.[28][29] The Breakers were featured in the nationally televised Game of the Week on September 2, 2017.[30]

Previous seasons' games were broadcast on YouTube,[31] MediaBoss Television,[32] ESPN,[33] and Fox Sports.[34]

Supporters

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The team had an official supporters group called the Boston Armada [35][36] as well as an independent supporters group called the Riptide, who cheered from a standing section known as "The Dock".[37][38]

Players and coaches

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See also: All-time Boston Breakers (WPS) roster

Final roster

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As of November 1, 2017[39]
No. Position Player Nation
2 DF Allysha Chapman  Canada
3 DF Brooke Elby  United States
4 DF Megan Oyster  United States
7 DF Lotta Ökvist  Sweden
8 DF Julie King  United States
9 FW Natasha Dowie  England
10 MF Rosie White  New Zealand
11 MF Rose Lavelle  United States
14 GK Abby Smith  United States
15 GK Sammy Jo Prudhomme  United States
17 DF Amanda Frisbie  United States
18 FW Tiffany Weimer  United States
19 FW Adriana Leon  Canada
20 DF Christen Westphal  United States
21 FW Midge Purce  United States
22 FW Ifeoma Onumonu  United States
23 FW Katie Stengel  United States
25 MF Morgan Andrews  United States
26 MF Angela Salem  United States
33 FW Hayley Dowd  United States

Head coaches

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Ownership and team management

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Michael Stoller was the managing partner of Boston Women's Soccer, LLC, the ownership group overseeing the Breakers.[41]

Records and statistics

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All-time results by season[42]
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
2017 NWSL 9th Did not qualify 4 13 7 19 24 35 3–6–3 1–7–4

Honors

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Individual player awards

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Player of the Week

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Year League Week Player Ref
2009 WPS Week 3 England Kelly Santiago
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 Kiki Santiago
2013 NWSL Week 3 United States Heather O'Reilly [44]
2013 NWSL Week 4 United States Sydney Leroux [45]
2013 NWSL Week 7 England Lianne Sanderson [45]
2013 NWSL Week 13 United States Sydney Leroux [45]
2015 NWSL Week 17 United States Alyssa Naeher [46]
2017 NWSL Week 3 Canada Adriana Leon [47]
2017 NWSL Week 21 Canada Adriana Leon [48]

Player of the Month

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Month League Player Ref
April 2009 WPS England Kelly Smith [49]
July 2010 WPS United States Jordan Angeli [50]
August 2010 WPS England Kelly Smith [51]
April 2017 NWSL United States Rose Lavelle [52]

Pillars of Excellence

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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.[53] 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.[53] Angela Hucles was inducted on May 1, 2010 during a home game against the Chicago Red Stars.[54] Kristine Lilly was inducted during halftime of a match against the Philadelphia Independence May 23, 2011.[55] Leslie Osborne was inducted during halftime of a home game against Sky Blue FC.[56]

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

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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 recognized a player's individual contribution to the team during the match. The trophy for 2017 represented the unofficial mascot of the Boston Breakers, "Chunk", a bulldog owned by Boston Breakers Academy head coach Lee Billard.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Breakers History". Boston Breakers Women's Professional Soccer. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. 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. ^ a b "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.[permanent dead link]
  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. Archived from the original on February 18, 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. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  15. ^ "Breakers fall to Chicago in WPSL Elite semifinals". Boston Breakers. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. 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. ^ a b "Women's league allocates top players". ESPN. January 11, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 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. ^ Springer, Shira. "What doomed the Boston Breakers?". Boston Globe. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  20. ^ Yang, Stephanie (January 25, 2018). "Boston Breakers fold after ownership deal falls through". The Bent Musket. SB Nation. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  21. ^ "Boston Breakers fold after ownership deal falls through". January 25, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Churchill, Samantha (May 2, 2018). "The Fall of the Boston Breakers". The Wellesley News.
  23. ^ Kassouf, Jeff. "How an era ended: The mysterious final months of the Boston Breakers". The Equalizer.
  24. ^ "Boston Breakers to join new professional women's league in 2013". Boston Breakers. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  25. ^ "Boston Breakers to play at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville". Boston Women's Soccer, LLC. Boston Breakers. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  26. ^ "Boston Breakers to Play at Harvard Stadium in 2014". Boston Breakers. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  27. ^ "NWSL, go90 announce exclusive streaming partnership". Black and Red United (SBNation). Vox Media. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  28. ^ "Lifetime To Air National Women's Soccer League Games As A+E Networks Kicks In For Equity Stake". Deadline.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  29. ^ "A+E Networks, National Women's Soccer League Ink Major Deal". Variety. February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  30. ^ Forrester, Nick (March 30, 2017). "NWSL announces 2017 broadcast schedule on Lifetime". Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  31. ^ Dure, Beau (April 13, 2017). "A season on the brink: wide-open NWSL making strides as fifth year kicks off". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  32. ^ Murlin, Krista. "Boston Breakers announce live streaming option for the 2013 season". NWSL News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  33. ^ "ESPN Announces Broadcast of NWSL Matches". Boston Breakers. May 28, 2014. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  34. ^ "NWSL, FOX Sports announce national broadcast deal". Boston Breakers. June 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  35. ^ "The Boston Armada". BostonBreakers.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  36. ^ Yang, Stephanie (August 2, 2016). "Breakers reveal business details, plans for 2017". The Bent Musket. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  37. ^ "Show Your Support: The Boston Breakers' Riptide". allwhitekit.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  38. ^ "The Riptide". The Riptide Independent Supporters Association. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  39. ^ "Roster". BostonBreakers.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  40. ^ "Coaching Staff". BostonBreakersSoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  41. ^ "Women's Professional Soccer League to Launch in 2009". PR Newswire. September 4, 2007.
  42. ^ Results by season:
  43. ^ "LePeilbet named WPS' top defender". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  44. ^ "Breakers midfielder Heather O'Reilly named NWSL Player of the Week - Boston Breakers". www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  45. ^ a b c "2013 NWSL Player of the Week & Month". Pitchside Report. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  46. ^ "2015 NWSL Player of the Week & Month". Pitchside Report. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  47. ^ "Adriana Leon Named Player of the Week". NWSL.com. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  48. ^ "Adriana Leon Named Player of the Week". Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  49. ^ Civin, Todd (May 1, 2009). "WPS: Boston's Kelly Smith Named April Player of the Month". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  50. ^ Green, Lauren (June 2, 2011). "The Journey Continues for Boston Breakers Midfielder Jordan Angeli". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  51. ^ "Kelly Smith". Women's Professional Soccer. Archived from the original on September 2, 2011.
  52. ^ Yang, Stephanie (May 3, 2017). "Rose Lavelle named NWSL player of the month". The Bent Musket. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  53. ^ a b "Former Breaker Maren Meinert to be Inducted Into Pillars of Excellence at May 17 Home Game". Boston Breakers. May 5, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  54. ^ "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.[permanent dead link]
  55. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (May 23, 2011). "Boston Breakers 1–1 Philadelphia Independence: Breakers draw as Lilly is honored". The Equalizer. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  56. ^ 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. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
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