MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Tampa Bay Rowdies
Sunday, March 13
4:00pm CT Kickoff – 3:00pm Gates
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
Get tickets HERE
Watch – ESPN2
Birmingham Legion FC kicks off the 2022 USL Championship season this Sunday at 4:00pm by welcoming the 2021 Eastern Conference Champions, the Tampa Bay Rowdies to Protective Stadium.
Legion FC heads into its first competitive outing at its new home Protective Stadium looking for redemption, as the Rowdies have eliminated the Black & Gold in the postseason two years running. The most recent blow came in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinal, with Tampa advancing past Birmingham via a 1-0 scoreline.
A key component in the Black & Gold’s ability to kickstart its fourth year in the USLC with three points is its new additions. Midfielder Enzo Martinez and winger Marlon Santos are the most notable additions to Head Coach Tommy Soehn’s side, while Croatian forward Edi Horvat and former Atlanta United 2 striker Macky Diop offer exciting potential in Legion FC’s attack. At the back, Austin FC defender Freddy Kleemann joins on loan to provide depth to an already stout Birmingham defense. Kleemann joins a defensive group heading into its second season all together, a factor that is sure to make things difficult for opposing attackers.
In addition to new arrivals, the return of 2021 Fan MVP Jonny Dean, USLC All-League Second Team Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, midfielder Anderson Asiedu and forward Prosper Kasim highlight those back in BHM for the 2022 Championship season. Dean is a force on both ends of the pitch. Going forward, he led his side in assists (5) and chances created (49) in 2021; at the back, he was third in clearances (51), third in blocks (13), and fifth in tackles (41).
VanOekel had a career year in 2021, posting a league-best -7.36 G-xG number, to go along with the fourth-most shutouts (nine) and the seventh-most saves (84). Kasim, heading into his fourth season with Legion FC, was fourth in chances created (33), while his fellow countryman Asiedu led the team in passes (1,411) and was sixth in chances created (27).
Birmingham’s 32 conceded goals in 2021 were the second fewest allowed in the entire USL Championship. The side with the least number of goals allowed, though, is the one that will be opposite the Black & Gold on Sunday. The Tampa Bay Rowdies only allowed 27 goals last season, a tally that contributed to a league best 16 clean sheets. Despite that, the two most important individuals that made up that league-best defense, 2021 Defender of the Year Forrest Lasso and Goalkeeper of the Year Evan Louro, have left the club. The rest of Neill Collins’ defensive unit remains unchanged, but questions will be asked as to how solid the group can remain following the departure of Lasso and Louro.
Where Tampa Bay has no questions, though, is going forward. Club captain Sebastian Guenzatti will look to build off of a 22-goal season in 2021, while fellow forwards Steevan Dos Santos and Juan Tejada offer more attacking prowess for the Rowdies. Wingback Leo Fernandes led all USLC defenders in Goals Above Replacement player and will continue to pull the strings this season whether out on the wing or in midfield.
The mood within the Legion FC camp is one of excitement, not only for the move into the brand-new, state-of-the-art Protective Stadium, but also for the belief that a championship is within reach. With the season quickly arriving, what better way to put the league on notice than with a win over the 2021 Eastern Conference Champions and perennial contenders, the Tampa Bay Rowdies in front of a national television audience.
Legion FC makes its competitive debut at Protective Stadium for season number four on Sunday, March 13 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies at 4:00PM. Tickets are available HERE or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145, and the match will air live nationally on ESPN2. Plan your visit to Protective Stadium by visiting protectivestadium.com/plan-your-visit/birmingham-legion-fc/.
