MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
Sunday, September 17
7:00 pm CT Kickoff
H-E-B Park – Edinburg, TX
Watch – My68 & ESPN+
Birmingham Legion FC travels to Edinburg, Texas to take on Rio Grande Valley FC of the USL Championship Western Conference. Kickoff is at 7pm CT and Legion fans can watch through My68 locally, or on ESPN+.
Tomorrow’s match is the first time Legion FC has ever played Rio Grande Valley. Looking to make a push after its recent win at home versus New Mexico United, Birmingham come to Texas to take home three points.
Legion FC’s Form
In its last fixture, Birmingham beat New Mexico United at home 1-0. The score remained 0-0 until 73rd minute, when Neco Brett scored his 11th goal of the 2023 season.
Brett now leads Legion in scoring, followed by Enzo Martinez with ten goals to his name. Brett, Martinez, Juan Agudelo, and Prosper Kasim have been Legion’s main attacking outputs, with newcomer Preston Tabort Etaka also making his presence known. Etaka set up a couple chances versus New Mexico and delivered the game-winning assist.
Defensively, Legion FC has struggled this season. The Legionnaires have conceded the fourth most goals across the League (47), but are tenth in goals scored with 39. In its last game the Legion defense held its own and earned its sixth clean sheet of the season. Legionnaires Matthew Corcoran and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel made USLC’s Team of the Week for their performances against New Mexico.
Opponent Info
Rio Grande Valley FC: 7W – 10L – 11D / 34 Goals Scored – 41 Goals Allowed / 32 Points / 11th in USLC Western Conference
Valley FC sits 11th in the Western Conference, coming into tomorrow’s match on one win, three losses, and one draw in its last five games.
Wilmer Cabrera leads the Texas side in goals scored this season, with seven goals in 25 appearances. Followed by Cabrera is Taylor Davila with five goals in 29 appearances.
Davila is the main chance creator for Rio Grande, having 58 chances created in his 29 games played. Second behind him is Christiano François with 27 chances.
Alex Monis is Valley FC’s most recent acquisition. It acquired Monis on loan from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire FC for the remainder of the 2023 USLC season. Monis scored a total of 11 goals in his last two MLS Next Pro seasons.
FiveThirtyEight Prediction:
RGV Toros: 39%
Birmingham: 34%
Draw: 27%
To keep up to date on all things Legion FC, 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.
