Aïssata Traoré scores first goal in Boston Legacy FC history, fall 2-1 v Utah Royals FC

FOXBOROUGH, MA– Boston Legacy FC (0-0-3, 0 pts.) were defeated 2-1 versus Utah Royals FC (1-1-2, 4 pts) on Saturday night.

The match kicked off at 12:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium to a crowd of 10,012.

Boston Legacy FC starting lineup: 3-4-3 | Casey Murphy, Bianca St-Georges, Laurel Ansbrow, Jorelyn Carabali, Ella Stevens (C), Annie Karich, Alba Cano, Barbara Olivieri, Fauzia Najjemba, Sammy Smith, Aissata Traoré 

Boston Legacy FC substitutes:| Laurel Ivory, Emerson Elign, Josefine Hasbo, Amanda Allen, Amanda Gutierres, Chloe Ricketts, Nichelle Prince, Aleigh Gambone, Sophia Lowenberg

Utah Royals FC starting lineup: 4-2-3-1 | Mia Justus, Miyaba Moriya, Kate Del Fava, Tatum Milazzo, Ana Tejada, Dayana Pierre-Louis, Alexa Spaanstra, Cece Delzer, Cloe Lacasse, Mina Tanaka, Lara Prasnikar

Utah Royals FC substitutes:| DeAira Jackson, Kaliegh Riehl, Janni Thomsen, Courtney Brown, Aria Nagai, Kameron Simmonds, Kiana Palacios

The match kicked off with Utah Royals starting from the center circle as they elected to launch the ball into Legacy’s defensive third to begin the match.

Legacy FC had the first chance of the match in the 6th minute when an effort towards goal by Fauzia Najjemba was blocked away for a corner kick.

Legacy’s next big chance came in the 10th minute when an effort towards goal by Sammy Smith was met with a spectacular save by goalkeeper Mia Justus.

In the 14th minute, the center referee was called over to the monitor to review a potential denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity. After review, Utah Royals defender Kate Del Fava was found not guilty of a foul on Boston Legacy forward Aisatta Traoré. Play would continue.

Just two minutes later, in the 16th minute, Legacy FC forward Aisatta Traoré was issued a yellow card for a late tackle & dissent.

Utah’s first chance came in the 24th minute when a corner kick delivery fell kindly for Miyaba Moriya for a right-footed shot that went high and wide over the net.

Miyaba Moriya had another opportunity for the Utah Royals in the 29th minute when her right-footed shot snuck wide of the net.

Entering the 33rd minute, the Utah Royals took the lead.

Following a short-free kick, the ball was played forward by Lara Prašnikar to find Cloé Lacasse who then sent it to the back post to find Tatum Milazzo for the tap-in finish to make it 1-0 to Utah.

In the 36th minute, Legacy FC midfielder Ella Stevens was issued a yellow card for a high-elbow foul on defender Kate Del Fava.

In the 45+4 minute, Utah Royals midfielder Mina Tanaka was issued a yellow card for persistent fouling.

Less than a minute later, Boston Legacy midfielder Annie Karich was issued a yellow card for fouling midfielder Mina Tanaka.

After the initial 45+6 minutes, the match entered halftime with the Utah Royals ahead 1-0.

The second half began with Boston Legacy kicking off from the center circle as they swiftly advanced the ball into Utah’s defensive third.

 In the 46th minute, Utah Royals midfielder Cloé Lacasse was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul. 

Entering the 48th minute, Utah Royals were granted a penalty kick for a foul inside the penalty area.

The ensuing penalty kick taken by forward Lara Prašnikar was buried into the top left corner past goalkeeper Casey Murphy to make it 2-0 to Utah Royals.

In the 53rd minute, Legacy head coach Filipa Patão made her first change of the match by replacing forward Ella Stevens with forward Amanda Gutierrez.

In the 60th minute, Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets made his first three changes of the match by replacing Cecilia Kizer, Dayana Pierre-Louis, & Cloe Lacasse with Janni Thomsen, Courtney Brown, & Kiana Palacios.

Legacy’s first chance of the half came in the 64th minute when a cut-back effort fell for Annie Karich, however, she sent her shot high over the bar.

In the 66th minute, Legacy FC midfielder Alba Caño was issued a yellow card for a harsh foul.

Less than a minute later, Legacy head coach Filipa Patão made her next three changes of the match by replacing Alba Caño, Barbara Olivieiri, & Fauzia Najjemba with Nichelle Prince, Aleigh Gambone, & Josefine Hasbo.

Entering the 72nd minute, Legacy pulled one back.

Forward Aissata Traoré got in-behind and managed to score her 1v1 with the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 & to score the first goal in Boston Legacy FC’s history.

Legacy’s net chance came in the 78th minute when a cross into the area went wide of the net.

Less than a minute later, Utah Royals defender Kate Del Fava was issued a yellow card for a foul on Amanda Gutierrez.

Legacy had two chances in the 80th minute when a cut-back cross by – nearly fell for Josefine Hasbo to bury it, however, her attempt was blocked away and cleared.

In the 83rd minute, Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets made his final change of the match by replacing Lara Prašnikar with Kameron Simmonds.

 In the 90+6 minute, Utah Royals forward Kiana Palacios was issued a yellow card.

After the 90+7 minutes, the match concluded with Utah Royals holding on for the 2-1 victory.

Filipa Patão and Boston Legacy FC (0-0-3, 0 pts.) remain home to face Western Conference side San Diego Wave (2-0-1, 6 pts). The match is set to kickoff at Gillette Stadium Park on Friday, April 3rd at 7:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

Follow Caleb Pongratz on Twitter

Follow Caleb Pongratz on BlueSky