MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, June 30 – 7:00 PM CT Kickoff
BBVA Field – Birmingham, Alabama
Watch – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns home to BBVA Field looking for its fourth home win on the trot, after traveling for three road matches in a row, technically, after the last home game on Juneteenth was abandoned due to weather.
Atlanta United 2 heads to the Magic City for the second meeting, out of four, between the two clubs this season. Birmingham won the first contest on May 30 in ATL via a second half stoppage time penalty, earned by Jaden Servania and buried by Bruno Lapa, and in three years Legion is 4-0 against ATL2, winning all four contests by a combined score of 11-0.
Leading goal scorer Neco Brett (seven goals in ten games, good for joint-second in the USLC) will lead the line for Head Coach Tom Soehn. Joining him in the attack will be midfielder Bruno Lapa (tied for 15th in the league in shots with 18 and eighth in chances created with 19) and fellow forwards JJ Williams and Junior Flemmings. Williams earned a spot on USLC TOTW for Week 8 following a one goal, one assist performance at OKC, and is tied for team lead in assists with two, and Flemmings has an assist on the season but is still looking for his first goal with BHM. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel will lead from the back, as he is currently second in the USL Championship with 35 saves and tied for first in clean sheets with four.
Despite being tenth in USLC with 121 shots, Legion FC has only managed to find the back of the net 10 times in 10 games. Tomorrow’s meeting with Atlanta presents the Black and Gold with a good opportunity to scratch its goal scoring itch, as the visitors have failed to collect points in their last two games and have allowed five goals in their last three outings combined.
Atlanta United 2 makes up for what it lacks in the back with its play going forward, as the Georgia-based side is tied for ninth in the league with 14 goals. Midfielder Aidan McFadden leads the team in goals with five, midfielder Will Reilly is tops in assists with two, Darwin Matheus is first in chances created with ten, and Conor Stanley and Matias Benitez are both in the lead in shots with 12.
Tomorrow’s contest will see Legion FC battle to keep their position atop the Central Division, while Atlanta United 2 will look to sour the evening for the Black and Gold and take three points back to Atlanta.
No one is on the VIVA Health Injury report, while midfielder Zach Herivaux is on international duty with Haiti and defender Freddy Kleemann has been recalled from loan by Austin FC.
Legion FC travels to face Indy Eleven this Saturday, July 3, at 6:00 PM. Following the Black and Gold’s trip to Indianapolis, they will return to BBVA Field to host rival Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, July 10, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion.
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, June 30 – 7:00 PM CT Kickoff
BBVA Field – Birmingham, Alabama
Watch – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns home to BBVA Field looking for its fourth home win on the trot, after traveling for three road matches in a row, technically, after the last home game on Juneteenth was abandoned due to weather.
Atlanta United 2 heads to the Magic City for the second meeting, out of four, between the two clubs this season. Birmingham won the first contest on May 30 in ATL via a second half stoppage time penalty, earned by Jaden Servania and buried by Bruno Lapa, and in three years Legion is 4-0 against ATL2, winning all four contests by a combined score of 11-0.
Leading goal scorer Neco Brett (seven goals in ten games, good for joint-second in the USLC) will lead the line for Head Coach Tom Soehn. Joining him in the attack will be midfielder Bruno Lapa (tied for 15th in the league in shots with 18 and eighth in chances created with 19) and fellow forwards JJ Williams and Junior Flemmings. Williams earned a spot on USLC TOTW for Week 8 following a one goal, one assist performance at OKC, and is tied for team lead in assists with two, and Flemmings has an assist on the season but is still looking for his first goal with BHM. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel will lead from the back, as he is currently second in the USL Championship with 35 saves and tied for first in clean sheets with four.
Despite being tenth in USLC with 121 shots, Legion FC has only managed to find the back of the net 10 times in 10 games. Tomorrow’s meeting with Atlanta presents the Black and Gold with a good opportunity to scratch its goal scoring itch, as the visitors have failed to collect points in their last two games and have allowed five goals in their last three outings combined.
Atlanta United 2 makes up for what it lacks in the back with its play going forward, as the Georgia-based side is tied for ninth in the league with 14 goals. Midfielder Aidan McFadden leads the team in goals with five, midfielder Will Reilly is tops in assists with two, Darwin Matheus is first in chances created with ten, and Conor Stanley and Matias Benitez are both in the lead in shots with 12.
Tomorrow’s contest will see Legion FC battle to keep their position atop the Central Division, while Atlanta United 2 will look to sour the evening for the Black and Gold and take three points back to Atlanta.
No one is on the VIVA Health Injury report, while midfielder Zach Herivaux is on international duty with Haiti and defender Freddy Kleemann has been recalled from loan by Austin FC.
Legion FC travels to face Indy Eleven this Saturday, July 3, at 6:00 PM. Following the Black and Gold’s trip to Indianapolis, they will return to BBVA Field to host rival Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, July 10, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion.
