HARTFORD, Conn. – On the heels of an emotional first victory, Birmingham Legion FC is now turning the page and looking to string some victories together as it navigates through the early part of the USL Championship season. Now, the task is to keep the wins going as it heads on the road for a Saturday match against a Hartford Athletic side that is still in search of its first points of 2025.
“This week of preparation definitely feels a little bit more normal than last week,” said Legion FC interim coach Eric Avila. “Last week was all about sticking together and coming away with points. We need to now build on that to continue our work towards getting to where we want to go.”
MATCH INFO
- Birmingham Legion FC (1W-2L-2D; 5PTS) at Hartford Athletic (0W-4L-0D; 0PTS)
- USL Championship Matchday 6
- Saturday, April 19 | 3:00 p.m. CT
- Trinity Health Stadium | Hartford, CT
- WATCH: WABM My68 (Birmingham) | STREAM: ESPN+
Last Sunday’s 3-1 win over El Paso Locomotive FC saw Legion FC concede the opening goal for a fifth straight match across all competitions. However, unlike in previous outings, Birmingham refused to let the previous scripts play out once again as it responded with three unanswered goals of its own for its highest scoring output of the season.
It was a proof of concept that, through all of the recent trials and tribulations, the work that the squad has been putting in is indeed working.
“It’s always a boost of confidence when we see the results of the hard work we put in,” explained Avila. “The hard part in that is trying to keep that consistent. The motivation for us is that we’re building something here.”
The focal point of the Black and Gold’s attack was, once again, forward Ronaldo Damus as his brace doubled his goal tally to a club-best four in 2025. But, as Legion FC continues to get healthy, the pieces around the Haitian striker have added much-needed support.
For the first time in the campaign, Legion FC was able to start the front three that it had originally envisioned wreaking havoc on opposing backlines Danny Trejo and Tyler Pasher on either side of Damus. Those two returning last Sunday also allowed for the likes of Preston Tabort Etaka and Roman Torres to come into the second half with fresh legs.
The full collection of talent and depth is finally available, which can only mean good things going forward.
“Injuries are part of the season and we didn’t have the numbers,” said Trejo. “I’ve been fortunate to be in this league for a few years and with the type of players we have, we know we can take advantage of the talent and push each other, because if and when we make it click, we can do special things.”
And that next opportunity to build on the budding team chemistry will be up in New England this Saturday. Hartford Athletic enters the match, like Legion FC last week, waiting on that first win to come.
With last week’s match against Indy Eleven postponed due to inclement weather, this upcoming contest will be the first time Hartford takes the field since a 2-0 loss at Loudoun United FC on April 5. Those type of score lines have unfortunately been a bit of a theme for the home side who currently is tied with Oakland Roots SC for the worst goal differential in USL-C at -6.
The one bit of hope Hartford does have is that its only goal of the season thus far did occur in the friendly confines of Trinity Health Stadium, courtesy of forward Mamadou Dieng in a 2-1 loss to El Paso.
Back at home for the first time since, it will look to see if the home field advantage will be enough to rattle Legion FC to secure its first points of the season.
“We know that they are going to be motivated coming in,” Avila said of Hartford. “They are going to be aggressive on their home field, but we also know that if we execute our gameplan that we are capable of finding success.”
Follow Along
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