MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Memphis 901
Wednesday, May 10
7:00pm CT Kickoff
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
Get Tickets HERE!
Watch: US Soccer on Youtube
Birmingham Legion FC prepares to host arch rivals Memphis 901 FC at Protective Stadium on Wednesday, May 10 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. Both sides will compete in the knockout match for progression to the Round of 16.
Dubbed the “Southern Harm” derby, the rivalry between Memphis 901 and Birmingham Legion dates back to before the clubs even existed. Memphis have long been the rivals of Birmingham in sports competitions dating back to the 1980s, with the most popular iteration being between the UAB Blazers and the Memphis Tigers in college football’s “Battle for the Bones.”
Wednesday will be the 12th time Legion and 901 face each other in club history. Five of those derby matches have been won by Birmingham, three by Memphis, and four have ended in a draw. A draw will not be possible in Wednesday’s game, as the Three Sparks take on Memphis for the first time in a knockout match.
In the attack, Legion FC has stars Neco Brett, Enzo Martinez, Tyler Pasher, Juan Agudelo, and Prosper Kasim at its disposal. Martinez leads the Front Five in goals with five to his name for Birmingham this season, while Brett follows behind with three.
Legion FC Goalscoring Leaderboard (all competitions):
1. Enzo Martinez: Five goals, two assists
2. Neco Brett: Three goals, one assist
3. Juan Agudelo: Three goals
4. Tyler Pasher: Two goals, two assists
5. Prosper Kasim: One goal, three assists
In its last Open Cup match, the Three Sparks won in penalties 4-3 after the match ended in 1-1 against Chattanooga FC of NISA — it was the first time Legion has ever advanced past the third round.
Opponent Info:
Memphis 901 FC: 2W – 2L – 3D / 11 Goals Scored – 10 Goals Allowed / 9 Points / 8th in USLC Eastern Conference
Head to Head:
Birmingham – 5 – 4 – 3 – Memphis
Memphis 901 brings its own firepower to Birmingham, with Luiz Fernando and Aaron Molloy capable of creating and scoring goals. Fernando has contributed to a goal in each of the last five matches for Memphis, while Molloy leads 901 FC in chances created with 28. Notably, Memphis also has former USMNT and MLS goalkeeper Bill Hamid between the posts as goalkeeper. The veteran has two clean sheets this season.
Fernando is tied in overall goal contributions (two goals, two assists) with a familiar face: Bruno Lapa, the former Legionnaire that scored Legion’s first and only ever hat trick in 2022. Lapa has two goals and two assists two his name this season for Memphis, with seven chances created.
Wednesday’s derby match will be the first of three times the Three Sparks and Memphis see each other this season, with their USL Championship matches scheduled for June 7 and September 30.
For this week’s UAB Medicine Injury Report, all Legion FC players are available for selection.
Tickets for Wednesday’s Southern Harm Derby can be purchased HERE. Fans unable to attend can watch the match for free on U.S. Soccer’s Youtube channel. Click HERE to go straight to the live stream.
For all club news and updates fans are encouraged to follow @bhmlegion on social media and keep an eye on bhmlegion.com and the Legion FC app. Download the Legion FC app today on Apple or Android, and sync our 2023 schedule to your calendar HERE.
