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USL Birmingham Legion FC

Legion FC Lethal Early, Steady Late in 2-0 Win over North Carolina

August 15, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


CARY, NC - Anyone who thought Birmingham Legion FC would come out slow, methodical, or lethargic in Saturday night's contest at North Carolina FC were sadly mistaken. Even after a 90-minute weather delay, and playing their fifth match in 15 days, the visiting squad continued its hot start to the 2020 season by scoring twice in the first 21 minutes and locking it down at the back to secure all three points.

The fanfare started early for Legion FC, as midfielder Prosper Kasim found some space down the left side before calmly cutting the ball back to the top of the 18-yard box where the onrushing Jaden Servania deposited a one-time finish into the back of the net. The expertly taken goal was Servania's first for his hometown club and made it the fifth match out of eight this season that BHM grabbed a goal in the first half hour of a match.

Just three minutes later, forward Neco Brett doubled the advantage with a coolly taken goal from the penalty spot. Defender Jake Rufe got forward from his rightback spot and crossed a ball into the box, but a North Carolina defender blocked the cross with his arm from inside the box, resulting in the penalty call. The goal was Brett's third for the Black and Gold this season, good for second-most on the team, and Legion FC's total of 14 so far in 2020 is fifth most in the USL Championship.

"Tough stretch of five games in 15 days, and it started here [at North Carolina FC] and ended here, which is obviously somewhere we're really familiar with, so we came up with a game plan, together with the players, that we thought would cause them [NCFC] some problems and really hurt them," explained Assistant Coach Khano Smith. "We started really well, pressed them really well, made them cough up some mistakes and made them uncomfortable, so we were able to take the early lead and the guys had to grind out a result on the road against a tough team."

"As a group, we've been incredibly adaptable with various changes that have had to be made as a result of injuries or suspensions," said midfielder Eli Crognale when asked how the team managed to start the season 5-1-2. "This adaptability is what has allowed us to have success and consistency with our overall game plan heading into games."

Crognale, when asked about the fast start to his professional career: "It's been an amazing start to my career honestly. Being able to have the chance to step up and show myself as a trustworthy piece of the puzzle has been massive in my progress. The coaches' trust in me as a player has allowed me to more freely express myself as well on the pitch."

Box Score:

1st Half 2nd Half

NC 0 0

BHM 2 0

Goals:

BHM - 18' - #17 Jaden Servania (assisted by #10 Prosper Kasim)

BHM - 21' - #11 Neco Brett (P)

The squad is back at BBVA Field, after a deserved full week of rest, next Saturday, August 22 at 6:30PM versus rivals Memphis 901 FC. Get tickets at bhmlegion.com/tickets, by emailing tickets@bhmlegion.com, or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145.

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