Boston Breakers (WPS)

Boston Breakers (WPS)
Clubname	Boston Breakers
Founded	2007
Dissolved	2012
Ground	Harvard Stadium
Capacity	30,323
Owner	Michael Stoller
Mgrtitle	Head Coach
Manager	Tony DiCicco (2009–2011), Lisa Cole (2012)
League	Women's Professional Soccer
Season	2012 WPS season
Position	6th

Boston Breakers (WPS). The Boston Breakers were an American professional women's soccer team that competed in Women's Professional Soccer from 2009 until the league's suspension in 2012. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the club played its home matches at the historic Harvard Stadium in Allston. The Breakers were a revival of the name used by a previous franchise in the defunct Women's United Soccer Association, carrying forward a legacy of elite women's soccer in New England.

History

The franchise was awarded in 2007 as part of the inaugural season of the new Women's Professional Soccer league, with ownership led by Michael Stoller. The team revived the identity of the original Boston Breakers from the earlier Women's United Soccer Association, aiming to capitalize on existing fan loyalty in the region. The Breakers' first WPS match was a 2–1 victory over FC Gold Pride on April 5, 2009, at Buck Shaw Stadium. Key moments in the club's history included a run to the 2011 WPS Playoffs and the signing of high-profile international stars like Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. The team ceased operations when WPS suspended its 2012 season and ultimately folded, marking the end of professional top-flight women's soccer in Boston for several years.

Players and staff

The Breakers' roster featured a mix of prominent USWNT players, international talent, and collegiate draft picks. Iconic English internationals Kelly Smith and Alex Scott were cornerstone figures, while American stars included Heather Mitts and Lauren Cheney. The inaugural head coach was World Cup-winning manager Tony DiCicco, who was succeeded by Lisa Cole for the final 2012 season. Notable draft selections included forward Jordan Angeli and defender Kasey Moore. The team's technical staff and front office worked to build a competitive squad despite the financial constraints that challenged the entire Women's Professional Soccer league.

Stadium and facilities

The Breakers' primary home venue was Harvard Stadium on the campus of Harvard University, an iconic National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest stadiums in the United States. The use of this large facility presented both an impressive stage for matches and a challenge for creating an intimate atmosphere. For the 2009 season, the team also played select matches at Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Training and administrative operations were based at various facilities in the Greater Boston area, as the club lacked a dedicated, soccer-specific training complex, a common issue in the developing professional women's sports landscape.

Season-by-season performance

In the 2009 WPS season, the Breakers finished in third place with a 7–7–6 record, advancing to the playoffs where they lost in the first round to Sky Blue FC. The 2010 WPS season saw a fifth-place finish, narrowly missing the postseason. The team's most successful campaign was the 2011 WPS season, finishing third again and reaching the playoff semifinals before falling to the Philadelphia Independence. During the abbreviated 2012 WPS season, which featured only five teams, the Breakers finished in last place with a 3–9–4 record. The league suspended operations shortly after the season concluded, terminating the club's competitive history.

Honors and achievements

The club's primary team achievement was qualifying for the 2011 WPS Playoffs. Individually, several players earned league recognition: Kelly Smith was named to the WPS All-Star team in 2009 and 2011, while defender Amy LePeilbet was a consistent defensive standout. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who began her professional career with Boston, would later achieve major success with the USWNT and National Women's Soccer League. The Breakers also contributed multiple players to various FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic Games tournaments during their tenure.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Breakers served as a critical bridge for professional women's soccer in New England between the collapse of the Women's United Soccer Association and the emergence of the National Women's Soccer League. They maintained a dedicated supporter base, with the Boston Riders supporters' group fostering a matchday atmosphere. The club's dissolution left a significant void in the region's sports landscape, though its legacy is carried on by former players who became coaches, broadcasters, and ambassadors for the game. The Breakers' history is now part of the broader narrative of the struggle for stability in American women's professional sports, directly informing the structure and community-focused models of subsequent leagues like the NWSL.

Category:Women's Professional Soccer teams Category:Soccer clubs in Boston Category:Defunct women's soccer clubs in the United States