Today, October 15th, 2024, fans of the future Boston NWSL team were struck with horrifying news — the leadership of this organization not only want to market this professional women’s soccer team by yammering about testicles, but they are also giving us a cringey name completely devoid of regional identity: “BOS Nation.”

The attempt to illustrate “BOS Nation” as some sort of play on “Bostonian” was far-fetched at best. Even if the connection had worked somehow, it would still lack the imagery and context that give EVERY OTHER New England pro team their own unique identity within their leagues. “Nation” is a word you use after your actual team name, like “Pats Nation” or “Celtics Nation.” And I sure as hell am not yelling “Go BOSses” at my first live NWSL game. 

For fans of women’s sports everywhere, for the athletes who will someday play (hopefully without shame) for our city, for all the little kids who starting in 2026 will get to grow up with a pro women’s soccer team to call their own - we implore the leadership of the NWSL’s Boston FC to allow fans to vote on a better, stronger, culturally significant and altogether less stupid name for this team that we so desperately want to love.