MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, August 22 – Kickoff 6:30PM – Gates 5:30PM
BBVA Field – Birmingham, AL
Match – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns to BBVA Field after playing its last two matches on the road against the Charlotte Independence and North Carolina FC. The Black and Gold will host rival Memphis 901 FC for the second time this season.
The last time these two clubs faced each other, BHM treated Legion Nation to a three-goal display in its return to play. Midfielder Bruno Lapa and forward Brian Wright found the back of the net for the Three Sparks, with Lapa getting the best of USMNT goalkeeping legend Tim Howard twice on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Memphis has fared poorly since the season restart, winning only one of its seven games played. The club is currently at the bottom of Group G with five points, 12 points behind Birmingham, with a game in hand. The silver lining for Memphis 901 FC is the fact that it has shown continuous improvement despite the results, and aside from their 3-0 loss to Legion FC, all of its losses have been by a one goal margin. Tim Mulqueen’s side is no push over, taking these things into consideration, and after failing to secure all three points against Charlotte last week after going 2-0 up within an hour, Tim Howard and Co. will look to right the ship in what is sure to be a heated contest against a rival.
“I think they’re much better,” said Legion FC Assistant Coach Khano Smith. “We’ve watched them a ton already, and from now to when we last played them, they’re so much better. They’re pressing has improved, they’re more athletic and are playing more athletic guys, and that’s what this league is about, the ability to run and work hard. I think they’ve done that. I think they’ve been unfortunate in their past couple of results, but they’re a much different team than the one
we saw at the restart.”
Forward Brandon Allen (three goals) leads the line for Memphis, while Mark Segbers (two assists) provides further offensive threat barreling forward from the right-back position. In the
middle of the park, Duane Muckette and Leston Paul pull the strings for Mulqueen’s side. Muckette leads 901 FC in passes made (271), while Paul is third in passing accuracy (84.7%).
Like Memphis 901 FC, Legion FC has improved since the first meeting between the two sides. The clear difference, though, is Birmingham’s position in the group. Tom Soehn’s side has
showcased its quality every time it steps out onto the pitch, with the Black and Gold’s performances this season propelling them toward the top of the USL Championship in multiple
categories. BHM is tied for fifth most clean sheets (3), tied for third in total goals conceded (5), sixth in goals scored per match (1.8), and fifth in total points earned (17). These numbers tell the story of a club performing well in all areas of the pitch and playing for one another.
Defender Jonathan Dean, midfielder Bruno Lapa, and forwards Brian Wright and Neco Brett have been the most involved on the goalscoring front, while goalkeeper Matt VanOekel,
defenders Mikey Lopez and Alex Crognale, and midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Bolu Akinyode have been key in Legion FC’s defensive fortitude this season. Add to that backline a
former All-American in new signing Josh Bauer and a returning Razak Cromwell, and you have a defense that is more than capable of backing up a potent offense.
Legion FC head into Saturday spurred not only by their performances thus far but re-energized after a full week of rest following a run of five matches in the span of 15 days. This will be crucial against a rival looking to turn its season around in Memphis 901 FC.
Defender Mathieu Laurent (torn ACL) and goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg (Groin) will be unavailable for the match, per the VIVA Health injury report.
For live match updates, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, or tune in as the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+. Download the Legion FC app to preorder concessions on gameday, load the
full season schedule straight into your calendar, and stay up to date with Legion FC.
The squad is back on the road next weekend to face the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, August 29 at 6:00PM CT, and the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, August 22 – Kickoff 6:30PM – Gates 5:30PM
BBVA Field – Birmingham, AL
Match – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns to BBVA Field after playing its last two matches on the road against the Charlotte Independence and North Carolina FC. The Black and Gold will host rival Memphis 901 FC for the second time this season.
The last time these two clubs faced each other, BHM treated Legion Nation to a three-goal display in its return to play. Midfielder Bruno Lapa and forward Brian Wright found the back of the net for the Three Sparks, with Lapa getting the best of USMNT goalkeeping legend Tim Howard twice on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Memphis has fared poorly since the season restart, winning only one of its seven games played. The club is currently at the bottom of Group G with five points, 12 points behind Birmingham, with a game in hand. The silver lining for Memphis 901 FC is the fact that it has shown continuous improvement despite the results, and aside from their 3-0 loss to Legion FC, all of its losses have been by a one goal margin. Tim Mulqueen’s side is no push over, taking these things into consideration, and after failing to secure all three points against Charlotte last week after going 2-0 up within an hour, Tim Howard and Co. will look to right the ship in what is sure to be a heated contest against a rival.
“I think they’re much better,” said Legion FC Assistant Coach Khano Smith. “We’ve watched them a ton already, and from now to when we last played them, they’re so much better. They’re pressing has improved, they’re more athletic and are playing more athletic guys, and that’s what this league is about, the ability to run and work hard. I think they’ve done that. I think they’ve been unfortunate in their past couple of results, but they’re a much different team than the one
we saw at the restart.”
Forward Brandon Allen (three goals) leads the line for Memphis, while Mark Segbers (two assists) provides further offensive threat barreling forward from the right-back position. In the
middle of the park, Duane Muckette and Leston Paul pull the strings for Mulqueen’s side. Muckette leads 901 FC in passes made (271), while Paul is third in passing accuracy (84.7%).
Like Memphis 901 FC, Legion FC has improved since the first meeting between the two sides. The clear difference, though, is Birmingham’s position in the group. Tom Soehn’s side has
showcased its quality every time it steps out onto the pitch, with the Black and Gold’s performances this season propelling them toward the top of the USL Championship in multiple
categories. BHM is tied for fifth most clean sheets (3), tied for third in total goals conceded (5), sixth in goals scored per match (1.8), and fifth in total points earned (17). These numbers tell the story of a club performing well in all areas of the pitch and playing for one another.
Defender Jonathan Dean, midfielder Bruno Lapa, and forwards Brian Wright and Neco Brett have been the most involved on the goalscoring front, while goalkeeper Matt VanOekel,
defenders Mikey Lopez and Alex Crognale, and midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Bolu Akinyode have been key in Legion FC’s defensive fortitude this season. Add to that backline a
former All-American in new signing Josh Bauer and a returning Razak Cromwell, and you have a defense that is more than capable of backing up a potent offense.
Legion FC head into Saturday spurred not only by their performances thus far but re-energized after a full week of rest following a run of five matches in the span of 15 days. This will be crucial against a rival looking to turn its season around in Memphis 901 FC.
Defender Mathieu Laurent (torn ACL) and goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg (Groin) will be unavailable for the match, per the VIVA Health injury report.
For live match updates, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, or tune in as the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+. Download the Legion FC app to preorder concessions on gameday, load the
full season schedule straight into your calendar, and stay up to date with Legion FC.
The squad is back on the road next weekend to face the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, August 29 at 6:00PM CT, and the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
