Boston, MA

Flynn: Nickerson Field would make great soccer team site

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2025

Flynn: Nickerson Field would make great soccer team site

With a newly signed lease agreement between the City of Boston and Boston Unity Soccer Partners, I am calling for the city and BOS Nation FC to instead explore running their operations out of Nickerson Field at Boston University. This is an ideal location for a professional women’s soccer team due to a large capacity of nearly 10,000 seats, its proximity to the Green Line train and local restaurants and establishments, while already having the necessary infrastructure and a potential fan base in place.

With a potential partnership with Boston University for use of Nickerson Field, the team could save nearly $100 million that could be used toward a rental agreement with the university and helping to fund the MBTA, while the City of Boston could save approximately $70 million on a White Stadium proposal that focuses solely on student athletes and residents.

Despite considerable community opposition, as well as projected costs jumping from $50 million to now $91 million so far for the city, and approximately $182 million for the project overall – the city has moved forward and signed the lease for White Stadium. These fiscal issues are in addition to previous concerns highlighted by neighbors, civic organizations and I – including lack of a thorough community process, the use of public land for private organizations, and now the practicality of two professional soccer stadiums in close proximity with the New England Revolution proposal in Everett. All of these issues could potentially be resolved if White Stadium was renovated solely for student athletes instead, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners utilized Nickerson Field – a field that has already been approved by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Prior to BOS Nation FC, Boston’s professional soccer team was the Boston Breakers. The original Breakers played from 2009 to 2012, when the league they played in folded. The Breakers then joined the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and played from 2013-2017, and also folded shortly thereafter.

It is important that the city supports women’s professional sports and a new professional soccer team. As such, Nickerson Field would provide nearly 10,000 seats, and a state-of-the-art field that stands as one of only 10 artificial fields in the United States that has a FIFA 2-Star certification.

Nickerson Field’s proximity to the Green Line will allow fans to easily access the stadium, reduce automobile traffic at the proposed site, and save on our carbon footprint from congestion. The Field is also located in Allston, where there are ample local businesses, restaurants, bars, and retail stores that could support spectators, bolster those businesses, and increase revenue for the city. Allston is also where many of our young people and students live, especially international students, who may also look forward to the prospect of having a women’s soccer team in Boston. The tens of thousands of students in the area could provide additional support for their fan base.

At the same time, while the city debated a property tax shift for the better part of last year and did not cut our budget – potentially investing over $100 million in a stadium renovation and creating a successful venture carries significant risks. Reports estimate the cost to renovate White Stadium for the sole purpose of high school and residential use is $20 million. Boston Public School (BPS) student athletes deserve to have a stadium that can be used year round, especially during warmer months and weekends that would be impacted if shared with a professional soccer team. If a similar renovation was completed, that alone would save the City of Boston approximately $70 million and provide Boston with a dedicated use of its stadium – a win for the taxpayers and Boston Public School students.

While we welcome the return of a professional women’s soccer team to Boston, it is critical that we acknowledge the risk of investing almost $100 million in White Stadium for a private-public partnership that was intended for the residents of Boston. Nickerson Field is a natural fit with the existing field and capacity for a professional team, accessibility for fans, and local establishments in close proximity. We need to do our due diligence on available options like this before we risk potentially $100 million or more of taxpayer funds.

Ed Flynn is a Boston City Councilor representing District 2

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Boston, MA

Celtics, Bucks celebrate history in inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Celtics, Bucks celebrate history in inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic

The Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks honored the 75th anniversary of the breaking of the NBA’s color barrier Sunday by squaring off in the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic.

The game spotlighted Basketball Hall of Famers Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd, who were the first Black players to be drafted, sign an NBA contract and appear in an NBA game, respectively.

Players for both teams wore shooting shirts with Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd’s names emblazoned on the back. Each uniform featured a “Pioneers Classic” patch above the nameplate and a “1950” patch beneath the rear jersey number.

The three legends’ names and jersey numbers also appeared on the TD Garden court and on the stanchion beneath each basket. Relatives of Cooper, Clifton and Lloyd joined Jaylen Brown on the court for a pregame address.

“Today is the NBA’s first Pioneer Classic, and it’s an honor to speak on the behalf of some of our legends — Nat Clifton, Earl Lloyd and (the) Boston Celtics’ Chuck Cooper,” Brown, who went on to tally 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 107-79 Celtics win, told the Garden crowd. “… A pioneer, by definition, if a leader, is an innovator and a forward thinker. Who will be the pioneers of this generation? On the behalf of the NBA, I want to say thank you — thank you, Boston. Let’s have a good game.”

Cooper played four seasons for the Celtics from 1950 to 1954.

“When you coach the Celtics, we’ve had just high-character people and have history and have had a tradition in many different forms,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said pregame. “And when you’re helping move that forward, you just have a responsibility to the people who came before you to move it forward. One, to be appreciative of what those before you have done on and off the court, and then the second piece to that is doing your part and moving that forward and kind of leaving it better.

“You don’t have a situation like this if you don’t have the people that have come before you. So that’s important. And I think the league is the same way. We’ve had great people come through this league, influential people, and just taking advantage of the opportunity you have to move forward is an opportunity we’re given.”

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who coached the Celtics from 2004 until 2013, saluted Red Auerbach during his pregame news conference. Auerbach drafted Cooper in the second round in 1950 — his first draft as Boston’s head coach — fielded the NBA’s first all-Black starting five in 1955 and hired Bill Russell as the league’s first Black head coach in 1966.

“What I think Pioneers Day represents, to me, is America,” Rivers said. “Red Auerbach is responsible for our achievements as much as anyone else. He didn’t see color. He wanted to make the league a better league, and he kept doing it — hiring Bill Russell as coach. I mean, you think about this city that’s had its ups and downs race-wise, but you have this one guy. And I got it a little bit, but when you come here and you coach here, boy, you really get it with Red. You really get what he was about. And so Pioneers Day, first game being here, for me, obviously, being a coach here for nine years, means a lot.”

The Celtics also honored Auerbach and Russell during the game. Auerbach’s granddaughter, Julie Auerbach Flieger, and Russell’s daughter, Karen Kenyatta Russell, were recognized on the court during a first-quarter timeout.

Rivers said the Pioneers Classic is “good for history.”

“Because we live in a time right now where our history is being, you know, whitewashed, a lot of it,” he said. “And I think you learn a lot through history. You have to. I think that’s our problem. We need to teach history, whether it’s bad or good. Need to teach it more.”

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Boston, MA

Syracuse lacrosse vs. Boston University: Live score, updates

Published

24 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Syracuse lacrosse vs. Boston University: Live score, updates

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse lacrosse team takes on the Boston University Terriers at 1 p.m., Sunday in the JMA Wireless Dome.

The game will be available to stream on ACC Network Extra.

See in-game team and individual stats here.

Note: Refresh this page throughout Syracuse’s game vs. Boston University to see the latest updates

First quarter

Syracuse 1, Boston University 1 – 6:23

BU goalie Connor Phillips appeared in just three games as a freshman in 2025. Now handling the starting gig, Phillips held strong against the Orange early, making three saves on four shots.

Through the first quarter, Spallina attempted anything to get going. He moved the ball three times with a behind the back pass, and shuffled a one-handed pass out of desperation once the shot clock fell under 10 seconds.

Syracuse 1, Boston University 1 – 9:35

The Orange struck iron on their first shot but retained possession on the groundball. After Finn Thomson missed a shot off a crafty pass from Spallina, SU scooped the ball up again. As the shot clock dwindled, Luke Rhoa worked downhill and beat Connor Phillips low to take a 1-0 lead 90 seconds in.

Syracuse made a stop defensively after BU hit the post too, and the Orange missed the mark on their next shot as Thomson was called for falling into the crease.

Back on the other end, the Terriers tied it up as Ethan Hart found nylon.

Opening faceoff

Multiple offseason position battles were answered quickly. With Ryan out to start the season due to a foot injury, senior Jordan Beck slotted in alongside Dwan and Figueiras. Anderson began on the attack with Deere down and Tyler McCarthy worked into the midfield.

Syracuse secured the opening faceoff on a violation from the Terriers, taking first possession.

Pregame

Syracuse’s 2025 season began with a pushover game against former goalie John Galloway and Jacksonville. The Orange led within two minutes of the opening faceoff and never looked back as a 10-0 run to start the contest ballooned into a 25-4 win. To kickstart 2026, SU faces a much tougher task.
Out of the Patriot League, the Terriers rank No. 17 per Inside Lacrosse to begin the season. Boston University lost its leading scorer, Jimmy O’Connell, to graduation, but returns three Preseason All-Patriot League players in Connor Kehm, Andrew Pape and Timothy Shannehan.
The two squads scrimmaged ahead of the 2025 season, where sophomore attack Payton Anderson remembers the Terriers matching SU’s physicality with a 10-man ride. Head coach Gary Gait emphasized BU’s 10-man ride as a top challenge the Orange will face in the season opener.
“That’s their bread and butter,” Gait said Friday. “Putting pressure on you to clear the ball and try and decrease your number of possessions.”
Syracuse returns a plethora of key contributors from its 2025 ACC Tournament title and Final Four run in senior captains Joey Spallina, Finn Thomson, Billy Dwan III and Riley Figueiras. Additionally, Michael Leo, Luke Rhoa and Jimmy McCool bring experience in high-pressure situations.
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Gait pointed to the Orange’s short-stick defensive midfield as the “biggest question mark” entering the season. SU lost Carter Rice to the Professional Lacrosse League and brought in Ohio State transfer Dante Bowen to likely fill the void.
Sophomore Cam Ryan was slated to fill the third defensive spot next to Dwan and Figueiras, but will begin the year on the shelf with a foot injury. The season-ending injury to Trey Deere from a car accident adds intrigue for Syracuse’s attack, opening with Owen Hiltz also moving on to the professional ranks.
Syracuse warmed up in Orange long-sleeve shirts with the slogan “Burn the Boats” on the back. Sporting the mantra against a school from Boston is quite ironic. Though it showcases SU’s “us against the world” mentality, entering a pivotal fifth season under Gait. Its quest toward its first national title since 2009 begins versus the Terriers.

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Boston, MA

Boston Police Blotter: City snow slowly but surely getting removed

Published

2 days ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Boston Police Blotter: City snow slowly but surely getting removed

The Boston Police Department reported a lower-than-usual number of incidents in the 24-hour period leading up to 10 a.m. Saturday, which could be attributed to temperatures in the single-digits and the massive amount of snow still on the ground.

But Boston Public Works says they’re on the second one.

“No rest for the weary! After another successful night of large-scale snow removal across #Boston, PWD district continue work today removing snow banks and clearing alleys, crosswalks & crub ramps to improve safety and accessibility,” the city department reported Friday.

They were at it again Saturday, when they reported they had cleared more than 2,667 loads of snow from city streets — totaling 41,168 cubic yards.

Incident Summary

BPD responded to 178 incidents in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the department’s incident log. Those included three aggravated assaults and 18 instances of miscellaneous larceny.