SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 22, 2021) – Birmingham Legion FC fought hard until the bitter end on the road against a chippy San Antonio FC team but fell 2-1 in the fourth match of the season. The visitors battled through 16 fouls by the hosts, put up 19 shots, controlled 63% of possession, and picked up a stoppage time goal from forward Neco Brett, but were unable to come away with any points.
The home side opened the scoring immediately after the opening whistle, as the USL Championship’s leading goalscorer, Santiago Patino, found the back of the net inside the first minute of play. Midfielder Jose Gallegos got off a shot from the top of the box that was partially deflected before being saved by Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, but Patino pounced on the rebound and poked it in.
Legion hit the post via a shot from midfielder Eli Crognale, and the crossbar off the foot of JJ Williams, but were not able to find an equalizer in the first half. SAFC bagged a second goal in the 81st minute from a corner kick, as the ball was swung into the back post, headed back across the middle, and put in by substitute forward Jordan Perruzza.
Crognale earned his first start of the season Saturday night and thinks the attack will come. He said, “we’re getting the ball in good spots on the wings. Our outside backs are in good spots to get crosses in, and we are getting most chances this way. We need to find ways to get more numbers in the box to help finish it off.”
Birmingham continued to press, forcing a quick double-save from SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone in the 91st minute after shots from midfielder Daigo Kobayashi and defender Ryan James. Legion FC’s goal came in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as right back Jonny Dean swung in a deep cross to the back post, and James dove to keep the ball alive and flick it back across goal to Brett who finished.
Head Coach Tommy Soehn on his team’s attacking output:
“I don’t think we’re real sharp in the attacking third yet, and I think it’s collective. Whether it’s just guys that aren’t sharp, guys just coming back, we don’t have that continuity yet of understanding each other, and we’ve not been clinical. It’s a good thing we’re creating so many chances, but we also conceded really early tonight, and if you concede that early, on the road it’s going to be a difficult task…There is definitely some work to do on the attacking end. Our key guys have got to start improving and connecting, but we’re getting looks and will start finishing them.”
Box Score:
|
|
1st Half |
2nd Half |
|
SA |
1 |
1 |
|
BHM |
0 |
1 |
Goals:
SA – 1’ – #9 Santiago Patino
SA – 81’ – #77 Jordan Perruzza (assisted by #13 Mathieu Deplagne)
BHM – 90+4’ – #11 Neco Brett (assisted by #7 Ryan James)
Starting Lineups:
SA – #37 Matt Cardone; #27 Joaquin Varela, #5 Liam Doyle, #13 Mathieu Deplagne; #8 Cameron Lindley, #23 Sam Gleadle (53’ – #10 Emil Cuello), #6 Victor Giro, #4 Chris Lema; #17 Jose Gallegos (54’ – #20 Marcus Epps), #7 Nathan (75’- #77 Jordan Perruzza), #9 Santiago Patino
BHM – #1 Matt VanOekel; #24 Jonny Dean, #22 Ben Ofeimu (67’ – #17 Jaden Servania), #3 Phanuel Kavita ©, #7 Ryan James; #12 Eli Crognale (79’ – #20 Zach Herivaux), #6 Anderson Asiedu; #77 Junior Flemmings (73’ – #4 Freddy Kleemann), #8 Bruno Lapa (79’ – #16 Daigo Kobayashi), #23 JJ Williams; #11 Neco Brett
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.
For all club news and updates, be sure to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and save the full 2021 schedule straight to your calendar HERE.
SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 22, 2021) – Birmingham Legion FC fought hard until the bitter end on the road against a chippy San Antonio FC team but fell 2-1 in the fourth match of the season. The visitors battled through 16 fouls by the hosts, put up 19 shots, controlled 63% of possession, and picked up a stoppage time goal from forward Neco Brett, but were unable to come away with any points.
The home side opened the scoring immediately after the opening whistle, as the USL Championship’s leading goalscorer, Santiago Patino, found the back of the net inside the first minute of play. Midfielder Jose Gallegos got off a shot from the top of the box that was partially deflected before being saved by Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, but Patino pounced on the rebound and poked it in.
Legion hit the post via a shot from midfielder Eli Crognale, and the crossbar off the foot of JJ Williams, but were not able to find an equalizer in the first half. SAFC bagged a second goal in the 81st minute from a corner kick, as the ball was swung into the back post, headed back across the middle, and put in by substitute forward Jordan Perruzza.
Crognale earned his first start of the season Saturday night and thinks the attack will come. He said, “we’re getting the ball in good spots on the wings. Our outside backs are in good spots to get crosses in, and we are getting most chances this way. We need to find ways to get more numbers in the box to help finish it off.”
Birmingham continued to press, forcing a quick double-save from SAFC goalkeeper Matt Cardone in the 91st minute after shots from midfielder Daigo Kobayashi and defender Ryan James. Legion FC’s goal came in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as right back Jonny Dean swung in a deep cross to the back post, and James dove to keep the ball alive and flick it back across goal to Brett who finished.
Head Coach Tommy Soehn on his team’s attacking output:
“I don’t think we’re real sharp in the attacking third yet, and I think it’s collective. Whether it’s just guys that aren’t sharp, guys just coming back, we don’t have that continuity yet of understanding each other, and we’ve not been clinical. It’s a good thing we’re creating so many chances, but we also conceded really early tonight, and if you concede that early, on the road it’s going to be a difficult task…There is definitely some work to do on the attacking end. Our key guys have got to start improving and connecting, but we’re getting looks and will start finishing them.”
Box Score:
|
|
1st Half |
2nd Half |
|
SA |
1 |
1 |
|
BHM |
0 |
1 |
Goals:
SA – 1’ – #9 Santiago Patino
SA – 81’ – #77 Jordan Perruzza (assisted by #13 Mathieu Deplagne)
BHM – 90+4’ – #11 Neco Brett (assisted by #7 Ryan James)
Starting Lineups:
SA – #37 Matt Cardone; #27 Joaquin Varela, #5 Liam Doyle, #13 Mathieu Deplagne; #8 Cameron Lindley, #23 Sam Gleadle (53’ – #10 Emil Cuello), #6 Victor Giro, #4 Chris Lema; #17 Jose Gallegos (54’ – #20 Marcus Epps), #7 Nathan (75’- #77 Jordan Perruzza), #9 Santiago Patino
BHM – #1 Matt VanOekel; #24 Jonny Dean, #22 Ben Ofeimu (67’ – #17 Jaden Servania), #3 Phanuel Kavita ©, #7 Ryan James; #12 Eli Crognale (79’ – #20 Zach Herivaux), #6 Anderson Asiedu; #77 Junior Flemmings (73’ – #4 Freddy Kleemann), #8 Bruno Lapa (79’ – #16 Daigo Kobayashi), #23 JJ Williams; #11 Neco Brett
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.
For all club news and updates, be sure to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and save the full 2021 schedule straight to your calendar HERE.
