MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, July 6
6:30pm CT Kickoff
Fifth Third Bank Stadium – Kennesaw, GA
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
Legion FC travels next to Atlanta for its third road game in a row and for the first contest versus United 2 this season. Birmingham’s best record against one opponent in its relatively short history comes against Atlanta United 2, as the #ThreeSparks have won six games, drawn one, and lost zero, with an aggregate tally of 20 goals for to three goals against.
Assistant Coach Khano Smith will lead the team out in the Peach State, as Head Coach Tommy Soehn serves a one game suspension for a red card he received in Legion FC’s last game, and Smith will hope past is precedent against Two-nited. Although the club has scored plenty of goals against ATL2, BHM’s strong defense leads the way in 2022, having allowed the second fewest goals in the USLC this season (14) and is led by goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, whose 41 saves are fifth most in the league.
Birmingham will continue to build on an attack currently centered around an on-fire Enzo Martinez. Martinez is tied for the team lead in goals after his goal-of-the-week contender at Louisville this weekend, while also leading the team, and is sixth in the USLC, in chances created (33), is tied for first on the team in assists (two, Kasim) and is second in shots (22).
This game will pit a recently stoppable force, the Legion attack that has scored the second fewest goals in the USLC (15), against a very movable object, the Atlanta defense that has allowed the most goals in the league (44). ATL will also look to increase its offensive output, having scored six goals in its last two games, a win at Charleston and draw home versus El Paso.
Forward Jackson Conway leads the team in goals (six) and shots (29), but new signing Tristan Trager has five goals in the team’s last three games and was just named USL Championship Player of the Week. Midfielder Robbie Mertz is first on the team in assists (four) and chances created (26) and earned a spot on the Team of the Week as well, announced today by the league.
For this week’s UAB Medicine Injury Report, defender Jake Rufe is out after picking up a knock last game, and defender Freddy Kleemann is out due to a torn ACL. Midfielder Mikey Lopez will also miss the contest as he serves a one game suspension for receiving two yellow cards in the last match at Louisville.
Fans can tune in to My68 or ESPN+ to watch the match and can follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live match updates!
Legion FC’s next home game at Protective Stadium is on Saturday, July 23 versus Eastern Conference foe FC Tulsa at 6:30pm, so grab your tickets today! The club also recently announced that Half Season Ticket Plans are available now and more info is available HERE.
For team updates, news and more, follow @bhmlegion on social media, sign up for Legion FC’s Newsletter, or visit bhmlegion.com. The Legion FC app is also available for download via Apple or Android. For gameday reminders, sync the Legion FC 2022 schedule to your calendar HERE.
