Birmingham Legion FC Finds Late Game Winner against Indy Eleven
June 18, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham Legion FC took all three points against Indy Eleven in an exciting match that saw Enzo Martinez score the winner in the last moments of regular time. Saturday night's win marks the first league win for the Black & Gold in five matches - a huge result to bounce back into form.
The first half of play ended deadlocked, without either team scoring a goal. The home side led in shots (seven to five) but neither side dominated the run of play.
"I don't think we were really sharp in the first half," said Head Coach Tommy Soehn. "Especially in the attacking portion of the field. We kept turning it over and giving them counter attacks. We talked about it halftime and I felt like we were much better in possession, and that translated to chances and some really good chances that we didn't put away, which gets a little nervy. But credit to the guys, they stuck with it and got the winner."
Birmingham's Diba Nwegbo scored the opener of the match in the 55th minute to give Legion a one goal lead. Midfielder Anderson Asiedu intercepted a ball headed out the Indy box, and fed a ball out to Nwegbo with the quickness. The 21-year-old cut it inside, beat two defenders, and fired a rocket shot from just outside the eighteen into the near post.
"I saw that Anderson made an interception and it was a play where I knew that I could make something happen if you got it to me because I was so close to the box," said Nwegbo. "And then once I got it, I just cut inside. It's my first instinct to cut inside and take a shot. I gave the keeper the eyes and put it in the near post."
Nwegbo, who scored for Legion in the US Open Cup, netted his career first USL Championship goal.
"It means so much," said Nwegbo. "I've been working really hard for that, just trying to trust the coaches and the entire team. And I'm glad that today finally paid off. I was able to get in and make an impact with the goal. So, yeah, I'm very happy."
Only one minute later Indy would respond with a goal of its own, silencing the excited home crowd. Indy filled the Legion box with numbers, played the ball on the wing, and got a goal in off of a deflection.
Birmingham kept knocking on the door after conceding Indy's equalizer, leading in shots ten to three throughout the second half. The home crowd sensed a late-game winner, and a late-game winner they got. Running on the right wing Tyler Pasher found Matthew Corcoran hovering on top of the box. The 17-year-old short passed to Neco Brett, who cleverly chipped the ball with one touch to an onrushing Enzo Martinez to find space inside the box. Martinez, without any doubt from the home fans, chipped the ball over Indy's keeper and sunk in a game-winner.
Brett, Legion FC's all-time leading goalscorer, returned from injury in Saturday night's game after missing several weeks due to a hamstring strain. The Jamaican made an immediate impact.
"Neco's just getting back and we know what he's capable of," said Soehn. "We've seen him here for years. And Diba showed us signs of that in preseason and it's nice to see him get back to form and finish a really good goal that really kind of changed the momentum. Again, great from the guys to stick with it."
"You can't go on a streak unless you win the first one, and sometimes that's the hardest one and confidence builds off that," said Soehn. "Again, good win in dramatic fashion. It makes it harder to coach but it's great for the fans."
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