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PAWTUCKET— When defender Lilly Reale made her NWSL debut for Gotham FC on March 15, 2025, coming on as a substitute against the Orlando Pride, it’s safe to say things didn’t go to plan for the Hingham native.
Just two minutes in, the former UCLA back accidentally put in the back of her own next in an eventual 2-0 loss. However, that would wind up a rare low point in a season that saw Gotham claim both the NWSL title and a CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup while Reale herself was crowned Rookie of the Year.
As for her debut match for Boston Legacy FC (2-4-7, 15th place) on Sunday, July 5, that was a much better result, with Reale playing all 90 minutes, helping lead defensive efforts and create chances down the wins as the Legacy came back from a two goal deficit for a 2-2 draw with Bay FC (3-3-6, 13th place).
One thing that both of those debuts have in common? A plethora of Reale family and friends in attendance, decked out in her jerseys and cheering loudly and proudly for the American international hoping to be a key piece of her hometown’s new club for years to come.
“Today it was awesome to have them basically right on the sideline," Reale said. "I'm don't know if you guys heard them, but I heard them the entire the game."
Having her family now much closer to her home matches, whether in Pawtucket, Foxboro or next season and beyond at White Stadium in Boston, is everything to Reale, and a key reason she wanted to join the Legacy. She knows while family and friends can and will travel, and those back home will follow from afar, there truly is no place like home.
"Interacting with the crowd, there's so many (youth) players that play for the same club that I played for growing up and the clubs around it," Reale said. "It's just awesome to interact with everybody and kind of relate to them on that level."
Reale was acquired by the Legacy via a trade with Gotham for $350,000 in allocation funds plus $50,000 in interleague transfer fees on June 14. However, with the league taking all of last month off due to the Men's World Cup, the Hingham native had to wait three weeks to dawn the green of the Swans, though it went by quickly for her.
More: Paraguay coach credits USA World Cup game for Germany
"It feels surreal (to be playing for Boston)," Reale said. "It took, quite honestly, until today seeing all of the fans and my family and being in this jersey that just really meant so much. I made it fell all real, like this is really happening. Today was such a special day and it was a special moment to just be in these jerseys.
The World Cup also played a large role in the match being in Pawtucket, with the team splitting time between Centreville Bank Stadium and Gillette Stadium during its debut season, with the latter hosting its final of seven World Cup matches on Thursday, July 9. The Legacy will play four more home matches in Pawtucket before returning to Foxboro on August 31 to host Hanson native Ally Sentnor and Angel City FC, then playing once more at each stadium to close out the inaugural campaign.
Regardless of the wait or the venue, which Reale praised for its "intimate atmosphere," she was impressed with the Legacy faithful.
"Being able to stick a tackle and then just hearing your fans behind you, through the good and the bad moments, just means a lot, especially in this heat," Reale said.
As for the game itself, Reale had a team second-best 75 touches and made a pair of interceptions. She helped lead the way for the backline both on defense and on the attack, which picked up significant speed shortly before the half with Amanda Guitieres finding the back of the net before Aïssata Traoré succesffully put in the equalizer from the penalty spot in the 79th minute.
For Ella Stevens, who played with Reale on Gotham last year and praised her as a player "who adds to her environment" both on and off the pitch, it's exactly the kind of impact she knew she'd have.
"I love watching her because she does so many things (like being strong, fearless and composed) that I'm not as good at, and it inspires me to improve those parts of my game," Stevens said. "I enjoy playing with her because she makes it easier for us midfielders."
Going forward, Reale said she is comfortable playing wherever coach Filipa Patão places her on the back line, as long as she can continue to help push forward their leadership on attack and accomplish their goals.
More: Hanson's Ally Sentnor traded to Angel City FC in women's pro soccer deal
The Legacy, who sit second from bottom of the 16-team league with 10 points, know they need to up the ante and make some adjustments to be as consistently strong on passing and attacking as they were later in the second half.
"We just want to be able to fine tune it and put together a full 90 minutes," Reale said. "We're just looking to break down teams and be fluid in our positions."
The Legacy return to action on Friday, July 10, playing host to the Chicago Stars (4-0-9, 14th place) at 8 p.m. at Centreville Bank Stadium.
The Legacy also feature another former South Shore standout in Whitman-Hanson alum Sammy Smith, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute for an appearance on her 25th birthday.
"
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hingham's Lilly Reale ready to forge a new legacy for Boston in NWSL
Continue reading...
Just two minutes in, the former UCLA back accidentally put in the back of her own next in an eventual 2-0 loss. However, that would wind up a rare low point in a season that saw Gotham claim both the NWSL title and a CONCACAF Women’s Champions Cup while Reale herself was crowned Rookie of the Year.
As for her debut match for Boston Legacy FC (2-4-7, 15th place) on Sunday, July 5, that was a much better result, with Reale playing all 90 minutes, helping lead defensive efforts and create chances down the wins as the Legacy came back from a two goal deficit for a 2-2 draw with Bay FC (3-3-6, 13th place).
One thing that both of those debuts have in common? A plethora of Reale family and friends in attendance, decked out in her jerseys and cheering loudly and proudly for the American international hoping to be a key piece of her hometown’s new club for years to come.
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“Today it was awesome to have them basically right on the sideline," Reale said. "I'm don't know if you guys heard them, but I heard them the entire the game."
Having her family now much closer to her home matches, whether in Pawtucket, Foxboro or next season and beyond at White Stadium in Boston, is everything to Reale, and a key reason she wanted to join the Legacy. She knows while family and friends can and will travel, and those back home will follow from afar, there truly is no place like home.
"Interacting with the crowd, there's so many (youth) players that play for the same club that I played for growing up and the clubs around it," Reale said. "It's just awesome to interact with everybody and kind of relate to them on that level."
Reale was acquired by the Legacy via a trade with Gotham for $350,000 in allocation funds plus $50,000 in interleague transfer fees on June 14. However, with the league taking all of last month off due to the Men's World Cup, the Hingham native had to wait three weeks to dawn the green of the Swans, though it went by quickly for her.
More: Paraguay coach credits USA World Cup game for Germany
"It feels surreal (to be playing for Boston)," Reale said. "It took, quite honestly, until today seeing all of the fans and my family and being in this jersey that just really meant so much. I made it fell all real, like this is really happening. Today was such a special day and it was a special moment to just be in these jerseys.
The World Cup also played a large role in the match being in Pawtucket, with the team splitting time between Centreville Bank Stadium and Gillette Stadium during its debut season, with the latter hosting its final of seven World Cup matches on Thursday, July 9. The Legacy will play four more home matches in Pawtucket before returning to Foxboro on August 31 to host Hanson native Ally Sentnor and Angel City FC, then playing once more at each stadium to close out the inaugural campaign.
Regardless of the wait or the venue, which Reale praised for its "intimate atmosphere," she was impressed with the Legacy faithful.
"Being able to stick a tackle and then just hearing your fans behind you, through the good and the bad moments, just means a lot, especially in this heat," Reale said.
You must be registered for see images attach
As for the game itself, Reale had a team second-best 75 touches and made a pair of interceptions. She helped lead the way for the backline both on defense and on the attack, which picked up significant speed shortly before the half with Amanda Guitieres finding the back of the net before Aïssata Traoré succesffully put in the equalizer from the penalty spot in the 79th minute.
For Ella Stevens, who played with Reale on Gotham last year and praised her as a player "who adds to her environment" both on and off the pitch, it's exactly the kind of impact she knew she'd have.
"I love watching her because she does so many things (like being strong, fearless and composed) that I'm not as good at, and it inspires me to improve those parts of my game," Stevens said. "I enjoy playing with her because she makes it easier for us midfielders."
Going forward, Reale said she is comfortable playing wherever coach Filipa Patão places her on the back line, as long as she can continue to help push forward their leadership on attack and accomplish their goals.
More: Hanson's Ally Sentnor traded to Angel City FC in women's pro soccer deal
The Legacy, who sit second from bottom of the 16-team league with 10 points, know they need to up the ante and make some adjustments to be as consistently strong on passing and attacking as they were later in the second half.
"We just want to be able to fine tune it and put together a full 90 minutes," Reale said. "We're just looking to break down teams and be fluid in our positions."
The Legacy return to action on Friday, July 10, playing host to the Chicago Stars (4-0-9, 14th place) at 8 p.m. at Centreville Bank Stadium.
The Legacy also feature another former South Shore standout in Whitman-Hanson alum Sammy Smith, who came on as a substitute in the 65th minute for an appearance on her 25th birthday.
"
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hingham's Lilly Reale ready to forge a new legacy for Boston in NWSL
Continue reading...
