MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at San Antonio FC
Saturday, May 22 – 7:30PM CT Kickoff
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
Watch – My 68, ESPN+
Legion FC hits the road this Saturday, May 22, to take on San Antonio FC in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides. BHM enters the match fresh off a 1-0 win over rival Memphis 901 FC, while San Antonio plays host looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to fellow Mountain Division competitor, Rio Grande Valley FC.
Birmingham earned its first three points of the young 2021 USL Championship season last weekend. Neco Brett was the lone goal scorer of the match, with his goal coming via assist from Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel. VanOekel, who also recorded five saves in his side’s shutout victory over 901 FC, was awarded USL Championship Player of the Week honors for his performance and is now second in the USLC in saves.
While it was a single goal that separated BHM and MEM, the former registered 17 total shots on goal, 10 of which were on target to set the high mark for the entire USLC so far this season. Legion FC’s attack was spurred on by the introduction of last season’s Golden Boot winner Junior Flemmings, whose quality going forward was on full display for the 10,000+ fans in attendance as he combined with fellow forwards Brett and JJ Williams to trouble the Memphis 901 FC backline all game.
In defense, 20-year-old center back Ben Ofeimu showed once again in his second appearance in Black and Gold that he is a more than capable stand-in for the injured Alex Crognale. Ofeimu led the team in interceptions with three, and was joint leader in clearances with four, equal with defender Ryan James. James, who was selected to the USLC Team of the Week alongside VanOekel, led the team in tackles to make last Saturday’s match frustrating for Memphis forwards. Additionally, captain Phanuel Kavita was a commanding figure for Head Coach Tom Soehn’s backline, anchoring a stout defensive unit that earned its first shutout of the season.
Kavita’s leadership in defense will prove important this Saturday, with San Antonio FC forward Santiago Patiño presenting the biggest challenge for the Legion FC captain and backline. Patiño, the Player of the Week for Week 2 of the USL Championship season, is currently the joint-leading scorer in the USLC, tied with FC Tulsa’s Joaquin Rivas. He reached this mark after notching his fourth goal in three games in his side’s 2-1 loss at the weekend. Complimenting Patiño, the likes of Cameron Lindley and Emil Cuello in midfield bolster San Antonio’s quality going forward. Both Lindley and Cuello lead the team in key passes (Lindley with four, Cuello with five), while Cuello has found himself on the scoresheet with a goal in San Antonio’s 2-2 draw with Real Monarchs on May 8.
Lindley and Cuello will battle it out in the middle of the park with Legion FC midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Bruno Lapa. Like Lindley and Cuello, Asiedu and Lapa lead their side in key passes with three and five, respectively. Additionally, Zach Herivaux’s to the midfield ranks adds another element of creativity to a well-balanced BHM lineup.
With Saturday’s contest being the first meeting between the two sides, the match promises to be an exciting one as both teams look to gain steam as the season progresses.
Midfielder Prosper Kasim is out for this game with an ankle injury, while defender Alex Crognale and midfielder Mikey Lopez are listed as questionable on this week’s VIVA Health Injury Report, with a glute injury and hamstring injury, respectively.
The team returns to BBVA Field on Wednesday, May 26 vs. OKC Energy FC at 7:00PM, and Everybody Wins on Wednesdays with Legion FC! Join us for $1 hotdogs, $2 Coors Lights and a firework show immediately following the game. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion.
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at San Antonio FC
Saturday, May 22 – 7:30PM CT Kickoff
Toyota Field – San Antonio, TX
Watch – My 68, ESPN+
Legion FC hits the road this Saturday, May 22, to take on San Antonio FC in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides. BHM enters the match fresh off a 1-0 win over rival Memphis 901 FC, while San Antonio plays host looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to fellow Mountain Division competitor, Rio Grande Valley FC.
Birmingham earned its first three points of the young 2021 USL Championship season last weekend. Neco Brett was the lone goal scorer of the match, with his goal coming via assist from Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel. VanOekel, who also recorded five saves in his side’s shutout victory over 901 FC, was awarded USL Championship Player of the Week honors for his performance and is now second in the USLC in saves.
While it was a single goal that separated BHM and MEM, the former registered 17 total shots on goal, 10 of which were on target to set the high mark for the entire USLC so far this season. Legion FC’s attack was spurred on by the introduction of last season’s Golden Boot winner Junior Flemmings, whose quality going forward was on full display for the 10,000+ fans in attendance as he combined with fellow forwards Brett and JJ Williams to trouble the Memphis 901 FC backline all game.
In defense, 20-year-old center back Ben Ofeimu showed once again in his second appearance in Black and Gold that he is a more than capable stand-in for the injured Alex Crognale. Ofeimu led the team in interceptions with three, and was joint leader in clearances with four, equal with defender Ryan James. James, who was selected to the USLC Team of the Week alongside VanOekel, led the team in tackles to make last Saturday’s match frustrating for Memphis forwards. Additionally, captain Phanuel Kavita was a commanding figure for Head Coach Tom Soehn’s backline, anchoring a stout defensive unit that earned its first shutout of the season.
Kavita’s leadership in defense will prove important this Saturday, with San Antonio FC forward Santiago Patiño presenting the biggest challenge for the Legion FC captain and backline. Patiño, the Player of the Week for Week 2 of the USL Championship season, is currently the joint-leading scorer in the USLC, tied with FC Tulsa’s Joaquin Rivas. He reached this mark after notching his fourth goal in three games in his side’s 2-1 loss at the weekend. Complimenting Patiño, the likes of Cameron Lindley and Emil Cuello in midfield bolster San Antonio’s quality going forward. Both Lindley and Cuello lead the team in key passes (Lindley with four, Cuello with five), while Cuello has found himself on the scoresheet with a goal in San Antonio’s 2-2 draw with Real Monarchs on May 8.
Lindley and Cuello will battle it out in the middle of the park with Legion FC midfielders Anderson Asiedu and Bruno Lapa. Like Lindley and Cuello, Asiedu and Lapa lead their side in key passes with three and five, respectively. Additionally, Zach Herivaux’s to the midfield ranks adds another element of creativity to a well-balanced BHM lineup.
With Saturday’s contest being the first meeting between the two sides, the match promises to be an exciting one as both teams look to gain steam as the season progresses.
Midfielder Prosper Kasim is out for this game with an ankle injury, while defender Alex Crognale and midfielder Mikey Lopez are listed as questionable on this week’s VIVA Health Injury Report, with a glute injury and hamstring injury, respectively.
The team returns to BBVA Field on Wednesday, May 26 vs. OKC Energy FC at 7:00PM, and Everybody Wins on Wednesdays with Legion FC! Join us for $1 hotdogs, $2 Coors Lights and a firework show immediately following the game. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion.
