MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Detroit City FC
Wednesday, August 17th
7:00pm CT Kickoff
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
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Birmingham Legion FC face Detroit City FC at Protective Stadium on Wednesday, August 17th for the second time this season. The last time the Three Sparks faced DCFC was back in April at Keyworth stadium, where the Legion lost 1-0 after Antoinne Hoppenot scored in the 63rd minute. Birmingham is a drastically different side now, however, and have the advantage of playing Detroit in Birmingham.
In terms of recent form, Birmingham is the stronger side. The Magic City has won four in a row and have only conceded one goal, compared to a Detroit side that has drawn three of its last four, lost one, and have conceded four goals. Detroit will not be easy to break down, however. Its defense is one of the strongest in the league; one that is tied for fourth in least number of goals conceded in the USL (22). Birmingham is third with 20 goals conceded.
Birmingham come to this game with a ready offense that has scored 13 goals in its last three home matches. Forward Juan Agudelo scored the only goal for Birmingham in its 1-0 shutout win against San Diego Loyal on a corner, marking Legion’s first corner goal of the year. Agudelo has been lethal in the air – registering 71 aerial duels and 3 headed goals. Agudelo, Enzo Martinez, and Prosper Kasim have been the biggest offensive threats for the Legion, with each netting five, seven, and nine goals respectively. The most threatening part about Birmingham is its defense – goalkeeper Matt VanOekel leads the USL with 11 clean sheets, and Birmingham has not conceded a goal in three matches.
Hoppenot and Pato Botello Faz are threats the Legion backline must prepare for. Faz leads the Michigan side with six goals to his name, while Hoppenot is just one behind with five. Compared to any other team in the USL, Motor FC is the best at forcing out a draw. They register nine draws this year, more than any other club in the USLC Eastern Conference. Birmingham come to this fight looking for a win – a win tomorrow and a win against Memphis on Saturday would put a lot of pressure on the third place spot in the USL standings.
For this week’s UAB Medicine Injury Report, defender Freddy Kleemann is out due to a torn ACL.
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.
