BIRMINGHAM, AL (August 11, 2021) – Birmingham Legion FC put up an impressive attacking display on Wednesday night at BBVA Field, scoring four goals in a game for the first time this season en route to a 4-2 win over Central Division foe Sporting Kansas City II.
After Legion had a couple early opportunities go wanting, the visitors stunned the home crowd with an opening goal in the fourth minute to take a 1-0 lead. SKC swung in a cross that BHM headed away, but Sporting midfielder Petar Cuic latched onto the rebound at the top of the box and rifled it into the back of the net.
For the second time in as many home games after going down 1-0 early, Legion FC responded with a goal of its own just three minutes later. Forward Neco Brett flicked a ball on for forward Prosper Kasim at the edge of the box, Kasim played Brett back around the penalty spot, and the Jamaican popped the ball up with his first touch and laced it over the ‘keeper’s head with his second to tie things up.
Legion FC ended the first half with seven shots and 62% possession but could not find a second goal until after the break, as substitute forward JJ Williams used his head to put his side ahead in the 70th minute. After some pressure from Birmingham forced an SKC turnover deep in their half, midfielder Thomas Vancaeyezeele swung in a cross, and Williams cut in front of the Sporting center back and perfectly placed his glancing header into the far side netting.
Kansas City kept the intensity high, however, and almost immediately countered with a second goal of its own in the 74th minute, as substitute forward Jamil Roberts rose highest to head in a cross to tie the match up at two goals apiece.
Despite the equalizer, Birmingham was not to be denied on a wet Wednesday evening at BBVA Field and kept pushing to find a game-winner. And game-winner they did find, courtesy of forward Junior Flemmings, who, like Williams, subbed on in the second half and made a major impact. In the 81st minute, center back Zach Herivaux pushed up into the attack and chipped a ball into the box for the onrushing Jonny Dean. Dean headed the ball across the box, and it found its way to Flemmings who chested it down and fired into the bottom left-hand corner to put his team up for good. Tonight was also the first time this season that Brett, Williams, and Flemmings all scored in the same game.
Even though his side was attempting to calmly see out a home victory, it would not be like him for Legion FC midfielder Anderson Asiedu to let up on the gas pedal at any point. In his fourth game in a week and a half, the midfielder charged forward in the 91st minute, received a pass from Flemmings after the Jamaican forced an SKC turnover, and then Asiedu rode a challenge and scored his first professional goal with a pinpoint finish from outside of the box to put the icing on the cake for BHM.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (August 11, 2021) – Birmingham Legion FC put up an impressive attacking display on Wednesday night at BBVA Field, scoring four goals in a game for the first time this season en route to a 4-2 win over Central Division foe Sporting Kansas City II.
After Legion had a couple early opportunities go wanting, the visitors stunned the home crowd with an opening goal in the fourth minute to take a 1-0 lead. SKC swung in a cross that BHM headed away, but Sporting midfielder Petar Cuic latched onto the rebound at the top of the box and rifled it into the back of the net.
For the second time in as many home games after going down 1-0 early, Legion FC responded with a goal of its own just three minutes later. Forward Neco Brett flicked a ball on for forward Prosper Kasim at the edge of the box, Kasim played Brett back around the penalty spot, and the Jamaican popped the ball up with his first touch and laced it over the ‘keeper’s head with his second to tie things up.
Legion FC ended the first half with seven shots and 62% possession but could not find a second goal until after the break, as substitute forward JJ Williams used his head to put his side ahead in the 70th minute. After some pressure from Birmingham forced an SKC turnover deep in their half, midfielder Thomas Vancaeyezeele swung in a cross, and Williams cut in front of the Sporting center back and perfectly placed his glancing header into the far side netting.
Kansas City kept the intensity high, however, and almost immediately countered with a second goal of its own in the 74th minute, as substitute forward Jamil Roberts rose highest to head in a cross to tie the match up at two goals apiece.
Despite the equalizer, Birmingham was not to be denied on a wet Wednesday evening at BBVA Field and kept pushing to find a game-winner. And game-winner they did find, courtesy of forward Junior Flemmings, who, like Williams, subbed on in the second half and made a major impact. In the 81st minute, center back Zach Herivaux pushed up into the attack and chipped a ball into the box for the onrushing Jonny Dean. Dean headed the ball across the box, and it found its way to Flemmings who chested it down and fired into the bottom left-hand corner to put his team up for good. Tonight was also the first time this season that Brett, Williams, and Flemmings all scored in the same game.
Even though his side was attempting to calmly see out a home victory, it would not be like him for Legion FC midfielder Anderson Asiedu to let up on the gas pedal at any point. In his fourth game in a week and a half, the midfielder charged forward in the 91st minute, received a pass from Flemmings after the Jamaican forced an SKC turnover, and then Asiedu rode a challenge and scored his first professional goal with a pinpoint finish from outside of the box to put the icing on the cake for BHM.
BHMvSKC 8/11 Highlights
BHMvSKC 8/11 Highlights
“Man, it’s amazing to have my first professional goal,” said Asiedu. “I’ve been with this club three years, and I’ve work hard for this. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have my first goal with the boys. I’m truly blessed. It’s beautiful to score in front of our home fans and to secure the win for the boys. That’s the most important thing.
“It’s all about hard work. Every game is not going to be easy. You go through ups and downs in life and in everything. It’s just about how we all can come together, and I think that’s what we did. We stuck together as a team, and yeah, we conceded some goals, but we worked hard to get all of the points for the fans. That’s the most important thing."
“Man, it’s amazing to have my first professional goal,” said Asiedu. “I’ve been with this club three years, and I’ve work hard for this. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have my first goal with the boys. I’m truly blessed. It’s beautiful to score in front of our home fans and to secure the win for the boys. That’s the most important thing.
“It’s all about hard work. Every game is not going to be easy. You go through ups and downs in life and in everything. It’s just about how we all can come together, and I think that’s what we did. We stuck together as a team, and yeah, we conceded some goals, but we worked hard to get all of the points for the fans. That’s the most important thing.”
Head Coach Tommy Soehn when asked about his team’s performance and growing in the attack:
“The game had a little bit of everything. I thought in the first half we played quite well; we controlled the game. The goal was unfortunate, it was against the run of play, but you’ve got to deal with that, and I thought our guys dealt with it pretty well and came back and got a goal right back. Some games like that where teams are sitting back, it’s hard to break them down. We needed to get that goal to open them up and then they came back again, so give them credit. It was nice to put away a game and to put a few goals in the net.
“I think the later you get into the season, you get opportunistic. Those looks you had earlier in the season that you might not have been sharp on, you get better at. There’s also a little bit more chemistry between the guys and how they understand their movements. That side of the game is good, but we’re still giving up more than I’d like so that’s something we’ll have to revisit.”
Box Score:
|
|
1st Half |
2nd Half |
|
BHM |
1 |
3 |
|
SKC |
1 |
1 |
Goals:
SKC – 4’ – #39 Petar Cuic
BHM – 7’ – #11 Neco Brett (assisted by #10 Prosper Kasim)
BHM – 70’ – #23 JJ Williams (assisted by #27 Thomas Vancaeyezeele)
SKC – 74’ – #37 Jamil Roberts (assisted by #46 Jacob Davis)
BHM – 81’ – #77 Junior Flemmings
BHM – 90+1’ – #6 Anderson Asiedu (assisted by #77 Junior Flemmings)
Starting Lineups:
BHM – 3-5-2 – #18 Trevor Spangenberg; #22 Ben Ofeimu (83’ – #21 Alex Crognale), #21 Zach Herivuax, #3 Phanuel Kavita ©; #24 Jonny Dean, #5 Mikey Lopez, #6 Anderson Asiedu, #12 Eli Crognale (58’ – #27 Thomas Vancaeyezeele), #7 Ryan James (58’ – #77 Junior Flemmings); #10 Prosper Kasim (58’ – #23 JJ Williams), #11 Neco Brett (71’ – #17 Jaden Servania)
SKC – 4-1-4-1 – #31 Brooks Thompson; #98 Matt Constant, #50 Alljaz Dzankic, #46 Jacob Davis, #49 Coby Jones; #84 Jahon Rad; #77 Enoch Mushagalusa, #44 Rojay Smith, #39 Petar Cuic, #32 Christian Duke; #99 Zion Long
Stats: Legion FC Match Center
The team hits the road for its fifth game in two weeks this Saturday, August 14, at 7:30PM at Memphis 901 FC. Fans can tune in to watch the game on MY68 or ESPN+ and follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live match updates and highlights.
Legion FC will be back at BBVA Field again on Sunday, August 22, at 4:00PM to take on FC Tulsa! Fans can get tickets for the 22nd HERE and can contact the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion with any questions.
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.
Head Coach Tommy Soehn when asked about his team’s performance and growing in the attack:
“The game had a little bit of everything. I thought in the first half we played quite well; we controlled the game. The goal was unfortunate, it was against the run of play, but you’ve got to deal with that, and I thought our guys dealt with it pretty well and came back and got a goal right back. Some games like that where teams are sitting back, it’s hard to break them down. We needed to get that goal to open them up and then they came back again, so give them credit. It was nice to put away a game and to put a few goals in the net.
“I think the later you get into the season, you get opportunistic. Those looks you had earlier in the season that you might not have been sharp on, you get better at. There’s also a little bit more chemistry between the guys and how they understand their movements. That side of the game is good, but we’re still giving up more than I’d like so that’s something we’ll have to revisit.”
Box Score:
|
|
1st Half |
2nd Half |
|
BHM |
1 |
3 |
|
SKC |
1 |
1 |
Goals:
SKC – 4’ – #39 Petar Cuic
BHM – 7’ – #11 Neco Brett (assisted by #10 Prosper Kasim)
BHM – 70’ – #23 JJ Williams (assisted by #27 Thomas Vancaeyezeele)
SKC – 74’ – #37 Jamil Roberts (assisted by #46 Jacob Davis)
BHM – 81’ – #77 Junior Flemmings
BHM – 90+1’ – #6 Anderson Asiedu (assisted by #77 Junior Flemmings)
Starting Lineups:
BHM – 3-5-2 – #18 Trevor Spangenberg; #22 Ben Ofeimu (83’ – #21 Alex Crognale), #21 Zach Herivuax, #3 Phanuel Kavita ©; #24 Jonny Dean, #5 Mikey Lopez, #6 Anderson Asiedu, #12 Eli Crognale (58’ – #27 Thomas Vancaeyezeele), #7 Ryan James (58’ – #77 Junior Flemmings); #10 Prosper Kasim (58’ – #23 JJ Williams), #11 Neco Brett (71’ – #17 Jaden Servania)
SKC – 4-1-4-1 – #31 Brooks Thompson; #98 Matt Constant, #50 Alljaz Dzankic, #46 Jacob Davis, #49 Coby Jones; #84 Jahon Rad; #77 Enoch Mushagalusa, #44 Rojay Smith, #39 Petar Cuic, #32 Christian Duke; #99 Zion Long
Stats: Legion FC Match Center
The team hits the road for its fifth game in two weeks this Saturday, August 14, at 7:30PM at Memphis 901 FC. Fans can tune in to watch the game on MY68 or ESPN+ and follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live match updates and highlights.
Legion FC will be back at BBVA Field again on Sunday, August 22, at 4:00PM to take on FC Tulsa! Fans can get tickets for the 22nd HERE and can contact the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/bhmlegion with any questions.
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.
