Boston legacy coach Philippa Patan has bold predictions about his tenure at the Extended National Women’s Football League Club. She wants to make history.
The former Benfica coach was hired as Legacy’s first head coach in June and was featured on Thursday after arriving in Boston with a visa.
“I’m here to make history. Sorry, I know it’s difficult. I know it’s difficult. A lot of people say, ‘Oh, my god. She doesn’t know what the deal with this league is.” I know the difficulties of this league,” Patan said. “I believe a lot in our process. It will be a battle. But in the end, you will be happy with the outcome.”
Legacy will begin playing next year with the Denver Summit, leading the NWSL to 16 teams.
Boston signed the outstanding signature of the first player, former Santa Clara Annie Carrichin July, and later added others, including former Houston Dash midfielder Barbara Olivieri and Barcelona’s Albacaño.
Patan joined Portugal’s Top Flight Benfica in 2020, compiling 156-28-15 records at all competitions. During her tenure, Benfica won the Portuguese top flight title for the fifth consecutive year.
Benfica also made it to the quarterfinals of the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s Champions League. She was nominated for Baron de Ort’s Coach of the Year in 2024.
“I’m very excited because I know the project is ambitious. I know there’s an opportunity to help build something different, something great and create a legacy,” Patan said. “I’m very excited to work with players and staff. I know that there are very high ambitions, and I know the responsibility to get a new project in my hands. But I know that everyone here can do this job.”
The legacy announced this week that it had appointed Jennifer Van Dyke to president of the team and oversaw all of the club’s business operations. Before joining Legacy, Vandick was CEO of animation company SuperPlastic. She also works for IMG, Wasserman and the NBA.
The legacy will play its first season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough before moving to a permanent home at White Stadium in 2027.
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