The last home game of the regular season, Legion FC aims to secure a playoff spot
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Monterey Bay FC
Sunday, October 7
4:00 pm CT Kickoff
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
The end of the 2023 USL Championship regular season approaches. Birmingham Legion FC kicks off its final home game of the regular season, and its second-to-last match of regular season, on Sunday, October 8 at 4pm CT. The Legionnaires can clinch the playoffs in front of their fans by winning tomorrow at Protective Stadium. Its opponent is a Western Conference side that Legion has never faced, Monterey Bay F.C.
Monterey Bay is in a similar position as Legion FC, fighting to get in the playoffs. Monterey Bay, who sit in ninth place one point away from the 8th place playoff cut-off spot, must win if it hopes to lift the USL Championship trophy. Everything will be left on the pitch Sunday in what feels like a win-or-go-home situation for both the home side and the visitors. It is not a match you want to miss.
Legion FC’s Form
Neco Brett leads Birmingham in scoring in 2023 with 12 goals in 28 appearances. The Jamaican, who is Legion FC’s all-time top goalscorer with 39 goals, netted a goal and an assist in its last match and earned a spot on the USL Team of the Week. Close behind Brett in goals scored, and leading the squad in goal contributions, is Enzo Martinez with ten goals and seven assists in 29 appearances. Largely an attack-minded team, the Legionnaires also have attacking outputs Preston Tabort Etaka, Tyler Pasher, Prosper Kasim, Juan Agudelo, and Diba Nwegbo all healthy and available.
On the defensive side of things, Birmingham has relied on goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg in goal while starting goalkeeper Matt VanOekel has been out of play. VanOekel could return against Monterey Bay. Spangenberg put up a few great performances in Legion’s last few games, however, including a 2-1 win against its arch-rivals Memphis 901 FC. Legion in 2023 does not have the consistent, unbreakable defense it is characteristic of. This Legion team has conceded the fourth most across the USL Championship (52). Monterey Bay is two goals less (50).
Opponent Info
Monterey Bay FC: 11W – 13L – 8D / 42 Goals Scored – 50 Goals Allowed / 41 Points / 9th in USLC Western Conference
Monterey Bay comes into Sunday’s match on a three-game winless streak, with two wins, two losses, and one draw in its last five matches played. It conceded a combined nine goals in its last three matches.
Alex Dixon had been the main goalscorer for Bay FC, with 12 goals in 31 appearances. While close behind the American is Christian Volesky with nine goals and five assists in 28 appearances. Volesky and Dixon tie in goal contributions.
Carlos Herrera has sat in goal for Monterey Bay in most of its matches this season. While he has seen 30 goals conceded, he has 54 saves on the season. He had an impressive 100% save rate against Memphis 901 FC on Sep 9, saving all seven shots on target.
To keep up to date on all things Legion FC, Legion encourages its fans to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and sync our 2023 schedule to your calendar HERE.
