Gift Monday wants to help Boston Legacy challenge for an NWSL championship next season, after reaching the final with Washington Spirit in her first year in the league.
The Nigeria forward started Washington's 1-0 defeat to Gotham FC in the 2025 championship game, when Rose Lavelle's 80th-minute goal settled the contest. Now, following her move to Boston, she believes the Legacy can hit similar heights.
"It's not impossible," Monday told ESPN. "This is a competitive league and everyone is competing to be in that championship race.
"That is one thing we also want to achieve as a team here in Boston Legacy and I want to also do that with them. That would be like a very big achievement for me coming here and helping the team to get to that level."
With the Legacy competing in just their first season in the league, Monday's ambition comes with a surprisingly quick timeline as she looks to help the team take that next, ambitious step, convinced that her own goals align with those of her new club.
"I think it is accomplishable," she said. "I think we have the same dreams and we're going to try to achieve them next season."
Monday brings experience of contributing to a playoff run. She scored twice during Washington's 2025 playoffs to help the Spirit reach the championship game, and finished her spell at the club with 12 goals and three assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Boston acquired her in a trade from Washington and handed her a five-year contract running through December 2030.
Monday said the length of that commitment was part of the appeal and reflected what she wanted from her next move: Stability and a club willing to continue to invest in her development like the Spirit did.
"For me to sign a five-year contract, the first thing was having a guarantee of stability, and secondly, it is because I actually love the mission of the team," she said. "I love what they have in store for me and I feel like this is where I want to be."
Those plans that Boston have in store for her extended beyond what she would contribute on the field. Monday said the club's willingness to support her growth as a player and a person was central to her decision.
"Basically, what they offered me is saying we believe in what you have, we believe in your talent, and we want to help you grow as a person, which is very paramount for me," she said.
"That alone goes a long way for me because as a player, I always want to see myself improve every game day, every season.
"And if this is what Boston is offering me to help me grow as a player, as a person, and also as a brand, then I am interested in whatsoever they are bringing to the table and what I can contribute to help the team achieve their goals."
Monday's departure from Washington came as a bit of a surprise, but she said that the decision was borne out of a desire to experience something different.
"I just felt like it was time to have a change and try something new," she said. "I spoke to the team in Boston, and also we spoke to the Spirit, and that was how we went about it."
Spirit coach Adrian Gonzalez agreed that departures of players such as Monday, and former midfielder Croix Bethune among others, reflected decisions reached by agreement between the players and team.
"The player has a lot to say in these trades, and we always respect players' decisions," Gonzalez told ESPN. "Both parties need to agree, and in these cases, also players wanted to move, and they had that agreement.
"Obviously, it's not easy, because when you are building a team, a roster, a way of playing, those changes can affect players, but we always wish the best for the players that have been with us.
"So I'm really grateful to be able to coach Monday, and obviously Croix, and all the players that we had in the past. And now we wish them all the best."
Choosing a new challenge like that always comes at some emotional cost, and Monday says leaving her Washington relationships has not been easy.
"I miss my teammates already so much," she said. "Anywhere I go to I always try to have this connection with people and leaving there always breaks my heart.
"So I'm missing them so much, and also I miss the fans. Their love and support pushed me and kept me going."
The feeling appears to be mutual, with former teammates Esme Morgan and Andi Sullivan just as cut up by the Nigerian's departure.
"We absolutely love Monday. It's really sad to see her go," Morgan told ESPN. "She brought a lot of energy and joy to the team.
"I sat next to her in the changing room actually, so I'm feeling her disappearance more than most people, I think. We used to just smile a lot together and, as I said, she brought a lot of joy."
But Morgan believes the move would ultimately benefit the Nigerian forward's career, and is looking forward to seeing her again, but in a different jersey.
"It's probably the best thing for her football wise, and I'm excited to see what she does there and also looking forward to playing against her," said the England defender.
"I'm such a big Monday fan and excited to see her shine, which we know that she can do," said Sullivan.
"And I think Boston's a really exciting team. We've seen them develop through the season, and I think it'll be a great environment for her."
In Boston, she has begun to find the same sense of connection. Monday arrived just ahead of their last home game of the season, and was in the stadium to watch the girls play.
She spent time in the dressing room meeting her new teammates and says the reception from them and the supporters has helped as she adjusts to a different environment.
"My first day with the team was on that game day," she said. "When I came into the dressing room, it was a warm welcome.
"Everywhere was just so warm, the girls were so lovely, they were welcoming and I was just excited to be among them, to watch them play the first game and be part of the team.
"Already, I'm beginning to see the same signs with Boston Legacy, the fans and my teammates. Everybody here is just so sweet. I think I'm destined to meet good people.
"Right now, I'm beginning to build new connections. I just want to be happy and make everyone around me happy too."
On the field, the adjustment is continuing. Monday has been learning Boston's approach in training, with help from the coach and the players around her.
"I started training with them and they were trying their best to make me understand the kind of game that they play over here," she said.
"I'm still trying to get used to it, but the thing is that as a soccer player, anytime you step on the pitch, even though you're new or you don't really know the system of the game or whatever, everyone on that pitch are pursuing the same goal and that is to score and win.
"So getting on the pitch on my debut, I just wanted to run for the team, wanted to make runs, wanted to win balls, create chances, get assists, and all that, just to get the win."
Boston general manager Dome Guasch outlined a similar role when the trade was announced, pointing to Monday's ability to contribute to the press and provide a threat in the final third as reasons for bringing her to the club.
"That is pretty much it as a soccer player," Monday said. "You don't have to win everything, you just have to want to win and be on the same page with your teammates."
Away from activities on the field, Monday says she has not yet had time to explore much of Boston but likes what little of the city she has seen so far, although the cold has made an immediate impression.
"I've been in the city before to play against them when I was with the Spirit," she said. "I've not gone around to explore the city, but I'm excited and looking forward to doing that.
"Boston is such a nice place, but it's very cold."
Among the most important items on her settling-in list though, is finding Nigerian food, something that was not so difficult in DC with the high Nigerian population around the area. It is a familiar task for Monday after previous moves, and one she expects to resolve in Boston too.
"It is the same thing we do every time we go somewhere and we can't find Nigerian food," she said. "We're going to figure out a way, even though I know that I'm going to be spending a lot of money because Nigerian food is very expensive.
"I think maybe because the food is really special and I really need it so I would spend this money for the food," Monday said.
She already has some local recommendations to help her begin: "I have been told that they have a few African restaurants here in Boston that I can also try. I'm going to find my way around it, and of course, Nigerian food, anytime, any day."