(EAST BOSTON, April 4, 2026) Two Boston Adult Technical Academy (BATA) students, Estefania Osorio and Luisa Palacio, responded unapologetically, “Women can play soccer and take risks, too,” when being asked by the interviewer how they felt about being the only two female players at the FIFA World Cup 2026 promotional filming and soccer match at Lopresti Park in East Boston, organized by the CASA Soccer League.
Coach Bash, Sebastien Gelin, brought Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) and BATA students to the activity, emphasizing that this mixed-level soccer match is dedicated to the Latino culture and celebrates the community. The game was intense, played on a legitimate soccer turf, with the roles of goalkeeper, referee, and substitutes. Despite inviting students who were still learning soccer to play on the team, the Gambeta FC team (in red), led by Captain Leo Mosquera, Manager of TD Bank East Boston, still won the game (3:1).
Benjamin Helfat, BATA Principal, did a track run with Luisa Palacio as a warm-up before the match. Juan Mendez from BATA played fiercely in the field. Isaiah Ortiz and Darwin Mesa Romero from BDEA both said, “I thought soccer was easy,” until they played in this competitive match with amateur players who took soccer seriously.
Carlos Garcia, East Boston Neighborhood Liaison from the Boston Mayor’s Office, and Roberto Gomez, Chief of Staff for State Representative Adrian Madaro, both came to support the Boston Public School students and the East Boston neighborhood. As Luisa Palacio said, “Soccer brings the community together, and East Boston is (like) a little part of my country (Colombia)”.
