The Scottish Football Association (SFA) is reportedly in talks about arranging for the Scotland national team to return to Boston for a biannual friendly match, according to the BBC.
The governing body and the state of Massachusetts are currently discussing ways to build on the connection developed between the Tartan Army and locals during the World Cup this summer. Scotland played two matches in the US city during the tournament, winning 1-0 against Haiti in the opener before losing 1-0 to Morocco, a result that left the team fighting to progress to the play-offs.
Supporters' Impact on Boston
Scotland's supporters left a significant impression on the city, with streets filled with traffic cones, bagpipes, kilts, and singing. More discussions are expected to take place between the SFA and a delegation of state senators ahead of Scotland's Nations League match against North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday.
US state senator Paul Feeney has been in the UK this week for talks around energy but wanted to visit Scotland to build on the connection made between the Tartan Army and those who partied with them for two weeks in June. Feeney said: "We felt that this summer was more than just a football match. It was a couple of weeks of these relationships being held, and you don't see that often. I'm glad we got to experience it. We don't want it to end."
Proposed Invitational Tournament
Feeney added: "Where we have such a strong connection with people in Scotland, could we do some sort of invitational tournament? To have that cultural exchange to kind of prop up economic development, and more than that, just to come together, have a few drinks, and enjoy each other's company."
Feeney said the Massachusetts Senate voted unanimously to support the concept, and members are now working through the legislature to get it approved.
Early-Stage Negotiations
Massachusetts Senate president Karen Spilka said talks of organising a regular fixture are at an early stage, but the SFA is already in advanced negotiations with businesses in Massachusetts about investment in the Scottish game. It has not yet been decided who will play in the game, but it is understood it will involve the Scotland national team.
Spilka told BBC Scotland: "The Tartan Army invaded Massachusetts and lit a spark that set off fireworks. They were sorely missed by so many people when they left. I think that by making the effort to come here and meet people and talk about tourism and economic development, we can start talking about things like Tartan Day and maybe having other events going on."
Bostonians embraced the Scots when they arrived in the city in their thousands for week-long celebrations, marking Scotland's first World Cup appearance in nearly three decades. Such was the impact of the supporters that Boston was officially twinned with Glasgow in the weeks after the tournament.
