Despite the cold wind and steady drizzle that settled over the neighborhood, the energy was electric on Saturday morning, March 29, as more than 200 young athletes and their families gathered at Boston Scores Field in East Boston to celebrate the official launch of East Boston Football Club (East Boston FC or EBFC) — the community’s first-ever comprehensive youth soccer club.
This inaugural Opening Day event marked a historic moment for East Boston, showcasing the power of grassroots efforts, community pride, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for local youth and families.
“This is more than just soccer,” said Allison Saucier, President of East Boston FC and Senior Manager of Community Programs at Boston Scores. “We’re building something special — a space for our kids to grow not just as athletes, but also as teammates, and community leaders.”
The launch of East Boston FC, Powered by Boston Scores is the result of a collaborative effort between local parents, volunteers, and Boston Scores, a local nonprofit organization who offers free after school soccer programs to over 1,800 youth across the city. Boston Scores provides backbone support for EBFC. The new club offers recreational youth soccer for children ages 3 to 18, including additional opportunities for high school students through Boston Scores.
This spring, East Boston FC takes the field with four competitive travel teams competing in the Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) 4th grade division. As part of the Mayor’s efforts to expand neighborhood-based soccer leagues across the city, EBFC will be participating specifically in the Boston Soccer League divisions of BAYS. The travel program includes three boys teams and one girls team, with plans to expand offerings for older players in the fall and future seasons.
Families braved the frigid, wet weather to enjoy a full morning of soccer activities. Children kicked around with teammates, with each young athlete receiving a soccer ball, a variety of snacks, and pizza, and checked out the newly unveiled East Boston FC swag, featuring the club’s new logo and bold colors.
The speaker program reflected the deep community support behind the club’s launch. Alongside East Boston FC’s President Allison Saucier and Vice President Tommy Welch, dignitaries in attendance included NWSL Boston Legacy FC General Manager Domènec Guasch, State Senator Lydia Edwards, City Councilor Gigi Coletta Zapata, and State Representative Adrian Madaro, all of whom spoke about the club’s importance to the neighborhood.
“This moment signifies the culmination of a tremendous amount of collaboration between Boston Scores and countless volunteers of the East Boston community… and this is just the beginning,” said State Senator Lydia Edwards. “Because of all the hard work and support from parents and community partners, years from now we won’t even be able to remember a time when East Boston didn’t have access to beautiful facilities such as the Boston Scores Field and East Boston FC.”
“This club represents the heart of East Boston — hardworking families, passionate volunteers, and kids who deserve every opportunity to thrive,” said Rep. Adrian Madaro. “It’s a dream realized for so many people who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.”
For parents like Deanna Castano, whose 10-year-old son is on one of the travel teams and 8 year-old daughter is participating in the grassroots program, the launch of East Boston FC is more than just a new activity. “This club gives our kids a chance to be part of something positive and powerful,” she said. “It’s community, it’s joy, and it’s something we can all be proud of.”
With its inaugural season underway, East Boston FC is already shaping the future of youth sports in the neighborhood — one pass, one cheer, and one game at a time.
East Boston FC’s mission is to provide a recreational soccer club that offers multiple levels of soccer programming with holistic player development, rooted in character building, skill development, opportunity, and community. The club offers an in-house recreational league for Grades PreK–8, as well as expanding competitive travel options for more age groups, beginning with 3rd/4th grade and high school teams this spring. East Boston FC is part of Boston Scores whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.
For more information, to donate, or to get involved with East Boston FC, visit www.eastbostonfc.org or bostonscores.org/ebfc.