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The Boston Breakers will play their first 2016 home game against the Seattle Reign on Sunday, April 24 at Jordan Field (formerly Soldiers Field).
The announcement came as part of all NWSL clubs dropping their home openers in advance of the full schedule.
Full list of home openers:
Washington Spirit vs. Boston Breakers - April 16
FC Kansas City vs. WNY Flash - April 16
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars - April 16
Portland Thorns vs. Orlando Pride - April 17
Seattle Reign vs. Sky Blue FC - April 17
Chicago Red Stars vs. WNY Flash - April 23
Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash - April 23
Boston Breakers vs. Seattle Reign - April 24
Sky Blue FC vs. Washington Spirit - April 24
WNY Flash vs. Washington Spirit - April 29
The Breakers ended 2015 in dead last, but made a major overhaul in the offseason with a new coach and serious roster upheaval, with retirements and trades giving the team a very different look - on paper, at least.
Breakers preseason begins March 14. The team will play Northeastern University on March 20, then head to Florida to play Florida State on March 25 and Florida Elite Soccer Academy U16/U17 boys on March 30. Preseason games aren't usually the strongest indicator of in-season performance but with so many new players joining the Breakers, they could at least give fans a glimpse of what kind of chemistry will develop early on.
As for the Reign, they certainly represent a stern test for the Breakers so early in the season. The Reign didn't go through nearly the same roster fluctuation in their offseason as the Breakers, not to mention they still benefit from the stewardship of head coach Laura Harvey. Meanwhile, the Breakers will still be figuring out how their pieces go together after preseason, so it could end up being a very interesting game.
The rest of the NWSL schedule is expected to drop later this week, though obviously plans can and do change.