The Wait Is Over

All Around The Town

The Windsor Chicago restaurant was the place to be on this Friday night, as the Boston Breakers held an all-club reunion. The Lifetime sports crew, replete with four former Breakers (Kate Markgraf, Cat Whitehill, Jordan Angeli, and Karina Leblanc), searched for interesting stories amongst the current players that could be part of the network's one hour pregame show tomorrow. Kate tracked down her nephew Patrick and Morgan Andrews, while Cat engaged Alyssa Naeher and Julie King. Karina got the resident Canadians (Steph Labbe, Allysha Chapman, Jessie Fleming, and John Herdman) into a group and together they did a short version of "Power of Love", eventually joined by Rhian Wilkinson, Christine Latham, and Carm Moscato. Kristie Mewis, Steph McCaffrey, Abby Dahlkemper, and Sam Mewis discussed a combined surprise that they planned to launch tomorrow afternoon before the game. Lauren Holiday, Amy Rodriguez, and Heather O'Reilly chatted with their former national team coach, Pia Sundhage, while Kelley O'Hara and her wife Morgan showed off baby Stephen to anyone and everyone.

Following a four-course sit-down dinner, Breakers General Manager Lee Billiard moved to the front of the room and began the evening's festivities.

Lee Billiard: Welcome, one and all! The Boston Breakers have been a part of the US women's soccer landscape for twenty-two years, and in that time has had literally every notable name in the game on its roster at one time or another. As part of this celebration, we asked Boston-area soccer writers to pick an all-time first XI. Suffice it to say, it was a VERY difficult undertaking. The toughest position was goalkeeper, as we have had three Olympic medalists and one World Cup champion tend the nets for our fair city. The voters have decided, and the honor goes to Alyssa Naeher.

Alyssa was stunned that she was chosen over Karina, Kristin Luckenbill, and Steph Labbe. Julie squeezed her hand and she went up to stand alongside Lee at the front.

Lee: In the back, the selections were Julie King, Kate Markgraf, Cat Whitehill, and Kelley O'Hara.

The four women accepted the applause from those gathered and went to the front to join the two already there.

Lee: Our midfielders are Kristine Lilly, Lauren Holiday, Kristie Mewis, and Maren Meinert.

Kristine, Lauren, and Kristie made their way up front, leaving Lee with just the forwards and coach to go.

Lee: The two forwards that were chosen are Amy Rodriguez and Kelly Smith.

Amy and Kelly stood and joined the rest of the XI.

Lee: There was a tie for who would be the coach of this star-studded lineup, with each person getting 50% of the total. Pia Sundhage and John Herdman.

Pia and John went forward and stood on either side of the special players selected.

Lee: The Boston Breakers All-Time First XI!

A standing ovation was given for the group gathered at the front of the room. Lee then turned over the mic to John for a bit of a pre-championship pep talk for the Breakers family.

John Herdman: Before I begin, I would like to ask the following individuals to please exit the room, as I do NOT want my words to end up on your bulletin board come tomorrow morning. Kristie Mewis, Steph McCaffrey, Alyssa Naeher, and Lisa Cole.

John waited a minute or so before starting to speak. "Just kidding, ladies."

John:  When I stood on the stage at Harvard University in January of 2021 at my introductory press conference, I stated that the Breakers had all the pieces in place to win an NWSL championship and that we would attempt to add to that foundation. I think you can say that both are true. The baseline of Julie King, Rose Lavelle, Morgan Andrews, Jessie Fleming, and Megan Oyster allowed us to prove from the outset that we would be a contender in the league. The additions of first Sam Mewis and then Steph Labbe and Abby Dahlkemper raised both the bar as well as the expectations on this team. When we introduced this team to the public on April 4th at Meet The Breakers, our new goalkeeper guaranteed that we would be here this weekend. I'm going to let her take over this pep rally, because she is MUCH MORE energetic than I. Come up, Steph Labbe, and bring Karina with you.