The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that the Boston Breakers will cease operations, effective immediately. The 2018 NWSL season will now feature a nine-team, single-table alignment with a 24-game schedule that will see each club play three games against every opponent in the league.
"The Boston Breakers are one of the longest running and most historic clubs in women’s soccer, so we certainly understand that fans of the NWSL and the sport will be disappointed to learn of the club’s decision to cease operations,” said NWSL Managing Director Amanda Duffy. “In the best interest for the long-term viability of the NWSL, we will operate with nine clubs in 2018 to ensure a stronger league where all parties involved are aligned and committed to the core mission of continued growth and development as we move into our sixth season.”
Breakers fans who have placed deposits on their 2018 season tickets will be contacted, and provided full refunds.
“We do not doubt the fan support or interest in women’s soccer in Boston or New England, and the measure taken by the Breakers organization does not reflect the passion we have seen from our fans,” Duffy added. “We sincerely thank you for your years of commitment, and we look forward to one day returning to the city of Boston.”
In conjunction with this announcement, NWSL will conduct a Dispersal Draft of the Boston roster at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 30. All Breakers players will be placed into a Dispersal Draft pool – including players selected in the 2018 College Draft. The weighted draw for the Dispersal Draft Order will be determined the morning of Monday, Jan. 29
