MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at Charlotte Independence
Saturday, August 29 – 6:00 PM CT Kickoff
Sportsplex at Matthews – Charlotte, NC
Watch – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC hits the road this weekend to take on the Charlotte Independence following a 2-2 draw with rival Memphis 901 FC on August 22. This Saturday’s fixture marks the third of four meetings between the Jacks and the Black and Gold, with the latter currently undefeated against the former so far this season.
BHM visits the Sportsplex at Matthews energized by its second stoppage time equalizing goal of the season. This occurrence is one familiar to the Independence, as it was Mikey Lopez’s last-minute equalizer that saw Charlotte’s hopes of earning three points at home dashed the last time it played Legion FC. Both clubs head into the match looking to solidify their position at the top of Group G, since the top two teams in the group qualify for the playoffs. While Birmingham aims to further itself from the rest of the group, Charlotte will look to gain ground on the Black and Gold while simultaneously extending its lead over third place North Carolina FC.
Mike Jeffries’ side has tallied big results since its last meeting with Tom Soehn’s Legion FC, barring a 2-1 defeat to Miami FC. Following the 1-1 draw on August 12, the Independence earned a 3-2 win over Memphis 901 FC and then a 1-0 victory over rival North Carolina FC this past Wednesday. Charlotte’s victories, as well as NCFC’s and 901 FC’s failure to earn meaningful points over the last three matches, see the Jacks firmly seated in second place in Group G.
Dane Kelly remains as the biggest goal scoring threat for the Independence, leading his side in scoring with four goals on the year. Kelly has recently shared the goal scoring duties, though, as the Jacks have had five different players hit the back of the net in their last three matches (Kelly, Enzo Martinez, Ray Ortiz, Jake Areman, and Luke Haakenson). At the back, goalkeeper
Brandon Miller presents a tough challenge to Birmingham’s forwards, as the 30-year-old is second in the entire USL Championship in saves made (40).
Legion FC has had more time to recoup since the 1-1 draw with the Independence, having a week between games to rest and prepare for Saturday’s contest. The match will be the first of three matches in a week, a slate of games that could be pivotal to the Black and Gold’s group positioning heading into the final stretch of the regular season. In addition to the opportunity to rest, BHM has the good form of midfielder Bruno Lapa and forward Neco Brett to spur its attack.
Both Lapa and Brett got on the scoresheet against Memphis, and they will be looking to do the same this Saturday in order to continue their side’s five-game unbeaten run.
The Black and Gold are yet to lose to the Jacks this season, a statistic the home side will be itching to change. With Charlotte looking to close the gap between itself and Birmingham, Tom Soehn’s side will be in for a tough affair against a club that has recently found its form.
Defender Mathieu Laurent (torn ACL) and goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberge (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+.
Legion FC returns to BBVA Field on Wednesday night, September 2, to take on North Carolina FC at 7:00PM. Get tickets at HERE, by emailing tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion, or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at Charlotte Independence
Saturday, August 29 – 6:00 PM CT Kickoff
Sportsplex at Matthews – Charlotte, NC
Watch – My68, ESPN+
Legion FC hits the road this weekend to take on the Charlotte Independence following a 2-2 draw with rival Memphis 901 FC on August 22. This Saturday’s fixture marks the third of four meetings between the Jacks and the Black and Gold, with the latter currently undefeated against the former so far this season.
BHM visits the Sportsplex at Matthews energized by its second stoppage time equalizing goal of the season. This occurrence is one familiar to the Independence, as it was Mikey Lopez’s last-minute equalizer that saw Charlotte’s hopes of earning three points at home dashed the last time it played Legion FC. Both clubs head into the match looking to solidify their position at the top of Group G, since the top two teams in the group qualify for the playoffs. While Birmingham aims to further itself from the rest of the group, Charlotte will look to gain ground on the Black and Gold while simultaneously extending its lead over third place North Carolina FC.
Mike Jeffries’ side has tallied big results since its last meeting with Tom Soehn’s Legion FC, barring a 2-1 defeat to Miami FC. Following the 1-1 draw on August 12, the Independence earned a 3-2 win over Memphis 901 FC and then a 1-0 victory over rival North Carolina FC this past Wednesday. Charlotte’s victories, as well as NCFC’s and 901 FC’s failure to earn meaningful points over the last three matches, see the Jacks firmly seated in second place in Group G.
Dane Kelly remains as the biggest goal scoring threat for the Independence, leading his side in scoring with four goals on the year. Kelly has recently shared the goal scoring duties, though, as the Jacks have had five different players hit the back of the net in their last three matches (Kelly, Enzo Martinez, Ray Ortiz, Jake Areman, and Luke Haakenson). At the back, goalkeeper
Brandon Miller presents a tough challenge to Birmingham’s forwards, as the 30-year-old is second in the entire USL Championship in saves made (40).
Legion FC has had more time to recoup since the 1-1 draw with the Independence, having a week between games to rest and prepare for Saturday’s contest. The match will be the first of three matches in a week, a slate of games that could be pivotal to the Black and Gold’s group positioning heading into the final stretch of the regular season. In addition to the opportunity to rest, BHM has the good form of midfielder Bruno Lapa and forward Neco Brett to spur its attack.
Both Lapa and Brett got on the scoresheet against Memphis, and they will be looking to do the same this Saturday in order to continue their side’s five-game unbeaten run.
The Black and Gold are yet to lose to the Jacks this season, a statistic the home side will be itching to change. With Charlotte looking to close the gap between itself and Birmingham, Tom Soehn’s side will be in for a tough affair against a club that has recently found its form.
Defender Mathieu Laurent (torn ACL) and goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberge (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+.
Legion FC returns to BBVA Field on Wednesday night, September 2, to take on North Carolina FC at 7:00PM. Get tickets at HERE, by emailing tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion, or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.
