MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Phoenix Rising FC
Sunday, April 9
4:30pm CT Kickoff
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
Tickets Available Here
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
The Birmingham Legion FC will host Phoenix Rising FC on Easter Sunday, April 9 @ 4:30pm at Protective Stadium. Gates open at 3:30pm and all fans are invited to join us for an Easter egg hunt in the stadium! Along with an exhilarating Easter egg hunt in Uptown, the grounds will now also feature food trucks!
Legion FC, undefeated in four matches and on a three-win streak, return to Protective Stadium after winning two shutouts on the road against Hartford Athletic and Tampa Bay. The Three Sparks, with ten points, sit in first place in the Eastern Conference standings, and will look to defend its four point lead in its homecoming match against Phoenix Rising FC.
In its last match, Birmingham got the win over the Tampa Rowdies for the first time since August of 2019 thanks to an unanswered brace by leading Legion goalscorer Neco Brett. Brett is Legion FC’s all-time leading goalscorer with 29 goals to his name. Him, along with 2022 All-League Enzo Martinez, Juan Agudelo, and Tyler Pasher have been making Birmingham one of the most lethal attacks in the USLC with seven goals scored.
The Black & Gold road warriors demonstrated its depth on Wednesday, April 5 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Against the USL1 Chattanooga side Red Wolves SC, the Three Sparks scored four goals in a 4-1 thriller, including a brace by forward Agudelo and a goal by newcomers Diba Nwegbo and Collin Smith respectively. The goals by Smith and Nwegbo were their first in a Legion shirt.
Opponent Info:
Phoenix Rising FC – 0-1-2 – -3 Goal Differential – Three Goals For, Six Goals Against
Head-to-Head:
Birmingham – 1 – 0 – 0 – Phoenix
FiveThirtyEight Prediction
Birmingham: 40%
Phoenix: 35%
Draw: 25%
Phoenix Rising FC comes into the match looking for its first win after having only three points and sitting in last place in the Western Conference standings with two draws and one loss. They have been able to score in two of its three matches but have not been able to hold a lead. Manuel Arteaga is its leading goalscorer with two goals, and will look to threaten Legion’s back line.
For this week’s UAB Medicine Injury Report, midfielder Mikey Lopez and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel are unavailable for selection.
Fans interested in 2023 Season Tickets can find more information at bhmlegion.com/2023tickets and are encouraged to email tickets@bhmlegion.com or call the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.
For all club news and updates fans are encouraged 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.
