TAMPA, Fla. – Birmingham Legion FC’s Matt VanOekel has earned the USL Championship’s Fans’ Choice Save of the Month award for June as his key late save that preserved a big in-division victory against FC Tulsa claimed top spot in the online poll conducted over the past weekend.
VanOekel has been a fixture in goal for Legion FC over its first three seasons and this year is having a standout campaign, sitting tied for the league-lead with five shutouts this season. The 34-year-old produced a brilliant late save to earn Birmingham a 2-1 victory against Central Division rival on June 6, keeping out a free kick by Dario Suarez that was pegged for the top-left corner of the net.
VanOekel’s save earned 58 percent of the poll conducted at USLChampionship.com, finishing ahead of Loudoun United FC’s Jermaine Fordah, who took 23 percent for his point-blank save on Hartford Athletic’s Preston Tabort Etaka on June 19. Memphis 901 FC’s Mark Segbers finished third on 15 percent for his late save as an emergency goalkeeper that helped the hosts hold onto victory against Atlanta United 2 on June 16.
VanOekel and his teammates get a weekend off and then their next game is Saturday, July 24, at Indy Eleven. Tune in on My68 and ESPN+ to catch all the action! The team will return to BBVA Field to host Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, July 31, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office.
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.
TAMPA, Fla. – Birmingham Legion FC’s Matt VanOekel has earned the USL Championship’s Fans’ Choice Save of the Month award for June as his key late save that preserved a big in-division victory against FC Tulsa claimed top spot in the online poll conducted over the past weekend.
VanOekel has been a fixture in goal for Legion FC over its first three seasons and this year is having a standout campaign, sitting tied for the league-lead with five shutouts this season. The 34-year-old produced a brilliant late save to earn Birmingham a 2-1 victory against Central Division rival on June 6, keeping out a free kick by Dario Suarez that was pegged for the top-left corner of the net.
VanOekel’s save earned 58 percent of the poll conducted at USLChampionship.com, finishing ahead of Loudoun United FC’s Jermaine Fordah, who took 23 percent for his point-blank save on Hartford Athletic’s Preston Tabort Etaka on June 19. Memphis 901 FC’s Mark Segbers finished third on 15 percent for his late save as an emergency goalkeeper that helped the hosts hold onto victory against Atlanta United 2 on June 16.
VanOekel and his teammates get a weekend off and then their next game is Saturday, July 24, at Indy Eleven. Tune in on My68 and ESPN+ to catch all the action! The team will return to BBVA Field to host Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, July 31, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available HERE or by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office.
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.
