More than two years of planning and preparation led to a defining moment for the Boston Independent Supporters’ Association (ISA) on 14 March 2026. Even before Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, Boston Legacy FC, had a name, mascot, or finalized roster, fans were already organizing to support the franchise. On that day, ISA members marched into Gillette Stadium for the team’s opening match, following behind a marching band from Boston Public Schools and holding their signature “Up the Swans” scarves high. They took their seats in the supporters’ section behind the north goal and unveiled a tifo — a large, colorful display — that read “Our Legacy Takes Flight.” The image of a flying swan wearing a black and green scarf captured the spirit of the new team, visible to the nearly 30,000 fans in attendance. The Boston ISA has remained a consistent presence at every Legacy home game this season, regardless of the weather, the team’s performance, or the location. “I see supporter groups as the heartbeat of game day,” says Jammy Torres Millet, who previously worked with the Legacy as a community marketing manager and served as the ISA’s liaison. “They bring the energy and make fandom come alive through chants and drums.” Creating a supporters’ group for a team without a defined identity is a challenge. While chants and traditions will develop over time, the ISA wanted to ensure the Legacy, one of two NWSL expansion teams for 2026, felt supported from the start. The team is currently playing its first season in temporary venues — bouncing between Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts and Centreville Bank Stadium in Rhode Island — while their permanent home in Boston, White Stadium, is under construction until 2028. Boston had not had a professional women’s soccer team in nearly a decade, with the Boston Breakers, a former NWSL team, folding in 2017. The NWSL announced Boston as an expansion city in September 2023, and the ISA quickly formed to support the new team. Anna Esten, the ISA’s membership chair, says the group is driven by a sense of rebuilding a lost legacy. “We want to make sure support for this team is strong in Boston and beyond,” she says. The ISA worked closely with the team’s leadership from the beginning, attending events and helping to build a visible, tangible presence that would support the club’s growth. The ISA hosts tailgates before home games and watch parties at local breweries for away matches. Their drumming and chants keep the energy high for players, even in tough moments. The Legacy started the season slowly, losing their first five games, but their supporters remain steadfast. The ISA also blends local culture with soccer — for goalkeeper Casey Murphy, a chant references the local band that sings “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” The group’s “honk” chant, meant to mimic the sound of a swan, has become a signature part of their identity. The Boston ISA is also deeply committed to inclusivity. The group proudly displays Pride and trans flags in their section and joined the “Trans People Belong” coalition, a network of NWSL supporters advocating for trans athletes and fans. “When it matters most, supporters’ groups show up for players, standing at the intersection of player rights and labor rights,” says Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSL Players Association. Looking ahead, the ISA is focused on the future — when the Legacy will finally have a permanent home in 2028. For now, their drums and chants continue to echo in Centreville Bank Stadium and beyond. “We want to be a group where everyone can join and everyone can belong,” says Esten. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the defunct Boston Breakers or someone watching their first game, the ISA welcomes you. “No matter who you are, if you want to cheer for the Legacy, we want you here.”