Defending NWSL champions Gotham FC started their title defense with a 1-0 victory over the debuting Boston Legacy FC on Saturday.

On a windy day, where 30,207 fans gathered at Gillette Stadium, Gotham prevailed over a youthful Boston team thanks to the finishing touch of their clinical veteran striker.

Esther Delivers the Decisive Goal

Esther González pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 55th minute to pull Gotham ahead 1-0. The 33-year-old Spanish national team star’s 13 league goals last season only trailed Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga of the Kansas City Current.

No one has scored more away league goals than Esther since she made her September 2023 NWSL debut.

After the sides went into halftime scoreless, Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós made two changes to open the second half that paid off in the form of Esther and Jordynn Dudley replacing Katie Lampson and Sarah Schupansky. 

The second half presented more opportunities for Gotham to unlock Boston’s rigid defense.

“Once we were able to maintain a little more possession and open things up, different spaces started to open,” Gotham defender Lilly Reale said. “I think they had a really aggressive press. So figuring out how to break that down and get around it was difficult.”

Dudley Impresses in NWSL Debut

Esther added an immediate attacking threat, and Dudley looked convincing and comfortable in her first taste of NWSL action.

Dudley was difficult to contain and was fouled often throughout the second half. Boston’s Bianca St-Georges was sent off in the 76th minute after receiving her second yellow card after she ran through Dudley from behind.

Amorós credited Dudley for keeping her calm amid persistent fouling from Boston players. The Legacy unsuccessfully tried to unsettle the cool and collected rookie.

“I would like to highlight the calmness from my players,” he said. “I think Jordan Dudley got a lot of fouls, [she] could have reacted in one of them. First game, emotions can get carried away, and she did amazing to keep calm and do her job. She’s going to be an important player for us and an exciting player for everyone to watch.”

Boston was handed an opportunity to search for a late equalizer as nine minutes of added time went up on the board in the 90th minute. It wasn’t to be for the hosts as Gotham saw out the victory to start their 2026 NWSL season on the front foot.

Gotham will next play its home opener at Sports Illustrated Stadium next Saturday against the North Carolina Courage.

It will be a special occasion as the 2025 NWSL title winners will be honored in a post-match championship ring ceremony.

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