MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, May 15 – 3:30PM CT Kickoff – Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
Watch – My 68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns to Birmingham this Saturday, May 15, to face off against rival Memphis 901 FC. The contest will see The Black and Gold make their first ever appearance at the historic Legion Field, where they will look to remain unbeaten in Birmingham against 901 FC.
The last meeting between the two sides was a night to forget for BHM, as it suffered its first ever loss to Memphis in a 3-1 loss away from home. The leadup to this Saturday, however, suggests that Birmingham will be the favorites to come away with bragging rights.
Memphis 901 FC has undergone heavy turnover heading into the 2021 USL Championship campaign, with only four players from the 2020 roster returning. The rest of Memphis’ roster is composed of signings that have arrived in droves, with the likes of veteran winger Roland Lamah, forward Kyle Murphy, and most recently, former North Carolina FC midfielder Dre Fortune making up the key offseason additions made by 901 FC.
Lamah most recently played for FC Cincinnati in MLS, but the former Belgium international’s career is highlighted by his time in the English Premier League with Swansea City and in the Spanish La Liga with Osasuna. With 11 years spent in some of Europe’s largest leagues, Lamah will look to use his experience to propel Memphis going forward. Likewise, the aforementioned Dre Fortune will play a crucial role in doing so. Fortune, North Carolina’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year for 2020, is a proven attacking player in the USLC, directly contributing to 16 goals in his 64 total regular season appearances.
At the back, new signings Brecc Evans and Skylar Thomas will look to improve a lackluster Memphis defense that leaked 31 goals in a shortened 2020 season. Evans offers the most promise in the backline for Head Coach Ben Pirmann, as the young defender comes to Memphis after captaining North Texas SC to a USL League One title. Thomas, on the other hand, joins the defensive unit with five years of Championship experience already under his belt.
For Legion FC, it is returning forwards Junior Flemmings and JJ Williams that will look to join Neco Brett going forward in the hopes of earning the squad’s first win of the season. Brett found the back of the net for his, and BHM’s, first goal of the 2021 USLC season in a 1-1 draw against Louisville City FC, a result that saw the Black and Gold battle back against one of the strongest teams the Championship has to offer. All eyes will be on Brett’s fellow countrymen, though, as Flemmings will look to have an instant impact after leading the USL Championship in goals scored for 2020 with 14.
In defense, Legion FC will still be without Alex Crognale. However, the impressive play of newcomer Ben Ofeimu and the recently announced arrival of Freddy Kleemann on loan from MLS’ Austin FC softened the blow of Crognale’s absence. Additionally, captain Phanuel Kavita has impressed in his first two matches with BHM, making six clearances, four interceptions, and three tackles over the course of the season so far.
Unlike Memphis, Birmingham does not have much, if anything, to go off regarding previous performances. Saturday’s fixture will be 901 FC’s first of the season, with their only previous action coming in preseason play. Furthermore, the late nature of many of Memphis’ recent signings means there is still a lot of chemistry to be compared to a Legion FC team that already has two games under its belt.
With the debut at Legion Field and the bragging rights that come with beating a rival, BHM is sure to come out strong against Memphis 901 FC.
Defenders Alex Crognale and Mikey Lopez are the players on this week’s VIVA Health Injury Report, as Crognale is out with a glute injury and Lopez is out with a hamstring injury. Defender Jonny Dean will be out due to a family matter.
Legion FC hosts rival Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, May 15 at Legion Field, with kickoff at 3:30PM. Tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion/tickets or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635, and the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, May 15 – 3:30PM CT Kickoff – Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
Watch – My 68, ESPN+
Legion FC returns to Birmingham this Saturday, May 15, to face off against rival Memphis 901 FC. The contest will see The Black and Gold make their first ever appearance at the historic Legion Field, where they will look to remain unbeaten in Birmingham against 901 FC.
The last meeting between the two sides was a night to forget for BHM, as it suffered its first ever loss to Memphis in a 3-1 loss away from home. The leadup to this Saturday, however, suggests that Birmingham will be the favorites to come away with bragging rights.
Memphis 901 FC has undergone heavy turnover heading into the 2021 USL Championship campaign, with only four players from the 2020 roster returning. The rest of Memphis’ roster is composed of signings that have arrived in droves, with the likes of veteran winger Roland Lamah, forward Kyle Murphy, and most recently, former North Carolina FC midfielder Dre Fortune making up the key offseason additions made by 901 FC.
Lamah most recently played for FC Cincinnati in MLS, but the former Belgium international’s career is highlighted by his time in the English Premier League with Swansea City and in the Spanish La Liga with Osasuna. With 11 years spent in some of Europe’s largest leagues, Lamah will look to use his experience to propel Memphis going forward. Likewise, the aforementioned Dre Fortune will play a crucial role in doing so. Fortune, North Carolina’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year for 2020, is a proven attacking player in the USLC, directly contributing to 16 goals in his 64 total regular season appearances.
At the back, new signings Brecc Evans and Skylar Thomas will look to improve a lackluster Memphis defense that leaked 31 goals in a shortened 2020 season. Evans offers the most promise in the backline for Head Coach Ben Pirmann, as the young defender comes to Memphis after captaining North Texas SC to a USL League One title. Thomas, on the other hand, joins the defensive unit with five years of Championship experience already under his belt.
For Legion FC, it is returning forwards Junior Flemmings and JJ Williams that will look to join Neco Brett going forward in the hopes of earning the squad’s first win of the season. Brett found the back of the net for his, and BHM’s, first goal of the 2021 USLC season in a 1-1 draw against Louisville City FC, a result that saw the Black and Gold battle back against one of the strongest teams the Championship has to offer. All eyes will be on Brett’s fellow countrymen, though, as Flemmings will look to have an instant impact after leading the USL Championship in goals scored for 2020 with 14.
In defense, Legion FC will still be without Alex Crognale. However, the impressive play of newcomer Ben Ofeimu and the recently announced arrival of Freddy Kleemann on loan from MLS’ Austin FC softened the blow of Crognale’s absence. Additionally, captain Phanuel Kavita has impressed in his first two matches with BHM, making six clearances, four interceptions, and three tackles over the course of the season so far.
Unlike Memphis, Birmingham does not have much, if anything, to go off regarding previous performances. Saturday’s fixture will be 901 FC’s first of the season, with their only previous action coming in preseason play. Furthermore, the late nature of many of Memphis’ recent signings means there is still a lot of chemistry to be compared to a Legion FC team that already has two games under its belt.
With the debut at Legion Field and the bragging rights that come with beating a rival, BHM is sure to come out strong against Memphis 901 FC.
Defenders Alex Crognale and Mikey Lopez are the players on this week’s VIVA Health Injury Report, as Crognale is out with a glute injury and Lopez is out with a hamstring injury. Defender Jonny Dean will be out due to a family matter.
Legion FC hosts rival Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, May 15 at Legion Field, with kickoff at 3:30PM. Tickets are available at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion/tickets or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635, and the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+.
