Filipa Patão, who was appointed the inaugural head coach of Boston Legacy FC in June, spoke to reporters for the first time at her introductory press conference on Thursday.

Patão, 36, joins Boston from Benfica in her native Portugal. Having featured for Benfica as both a player and then as manager of the women’s team, she said she was ready for a change after helping lead her former club to five consecutive Campeonato Nacional Feminino titles.

“It’s an incredible honor to join this club and step into a city with such a rich tradition of sports,” said Patão. “I’m very excited because I know the project is ambitious. I know that I have the opportunity to help build something different, something great, and create a legacy.”

“I felt that this was the moment for me to take this step to a

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