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Birmingham Legion FC

Legion FC's Four Game Win Streak Ends After Hard-Fought Loss at LouCity

June 16, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


LOUISVILLE, KY - Birmingham Legion FC travelled to Kentucky for the second time this season to take on Louisville City FC on Wednesday night and fell 2-0 thanks to a dubious first half penalty kick that was buried by Cameron Lancaster and then another goal early in the second half off the boot of Napo Matsoso.

Louisville City came out as the aggressor in the first ten minutes of the contest, creating a couple of early chances that the Birmingham backline and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel dealt with, but the opening goal hit the back of the net in the 25th minute from the spot. Following an Anderson Asiedu tackle on Lancaster where contact appeared to be initiated outside of the box and then spill into the penalty area, the referee waved away the attackers' call for a foul, then whistled and pointed for a foul outside of the box, before going over to discuss with his assistant referee and ultimately awarding the penalty.

Both sides finished the first half with even possession and an even shots tally at four each but went into the break 1-0. The visitors' best chance of the game occurred in the 37th minute as Junior Flemmings played Neco Brett in down the left, and his lofted cross found the head of JJ Williams, but Williams header hit the right post. The rebound came straight back out into the box, but midfielder Mikey Lopez shot went just wide.

"I think we possessed the ball better than we had the last game and moved it around well, and we created some opportunities," said Legion FC Head Coach Tommy Soehn. "I also felt like JJ is getting mauled in the box a few times, and we're just not getting those calls, which is frustrating, because it's just because he's big he's not getting the calls he should. But, overall I was actually pleased with the first half. I've heard the penalty was outside the box, but I haven't seen it yet so I'll have to look at it. Overall, though, I felt like our play was better and the result wasn't."

Legion's attempts to get back into the game coming out of the break took an immediate setback as the home side scored a second in the 48th after left wingback sent a low driven ball into the six and it was redirected in by an onrushing Matsoso from the opposite side wing.

On short rest after last Saturday's match at OKC Energy FC, the staff used its full compliment of five substitutions to work on mounting the comeback, and Legion got off four more shots in the second half but ran out of gas and opportunities without finding a goal. The team's focus now shifts to this Saturday's home match against Austin Bold FC.

"We knew Louisville would be a difficult match on short rest at their stadium," said Legion FC defender Alex Crognale. "They possess the ball well and stretch the field. When we were able to dominate the ball and switch the field for longer spells of the game it opened up options to play forward and that's what we capitalized on in the first half. We were extremely unlucky not to come into half time at 1-1 but letting in the early second half goal put us in a difficult position to regain control."

Crognale when asked about the upcoming match on short rest against a new opponent:

"The focus is on us. We focus on our preparation and prepare our bodies for the match. Having a side we've never seen before come into town gives us motivation to put a stamp on the matchup and get another victory at home."

Box Score:

1st Half 2nd Half

LOU 1 1

BHM 0 0

Goals:

LOU - 25' - #17 Cameron Lancaster (P)

LOU - 48' - #7 Napo Matsoso (assisted by #42 Jonathan Gomez)

Starting Lineups:

LOU - 4-3-3 - #1 Chris Hubbard; #42 Jonathan Gomez, #3 Alexis Souahy, #4 Sean Totsch, #8 Akil Watts; #12 Tyler Gibson, #36 Paolo DelPiccolo © (81' - #29 Antoine Hoppenot), #20 James McLaughlin (56' - #13 Corben Bone); #7 Napo Matsoso, #17 Cameron Lancaster (66' - #21 Kyle Greig), #11 Naill McCabe (56' - #10 Brian Ownby)

BHM - 3-5-2 - #1 Matt VanOekel; #21 Alex Crognale, #20 Zach Herivaux, #3 Phanuel Kavita ©; #24 Jonny Dean, #6 Anderson Asiedu (83' - #13 Jake Rufe), #16 Daigo Kobayashi (69' - #12 Eli Crognale), #5 Mikey Lopez (45' - #7 Ryan James); #23 JJ Williams, #11 Neco Brett (69' - #8 Bruno Lapa), #77 Junior Flemmings (69' - #17 Jaden Servania)

The team returns to BBVA Field on Saturday, June 19, to take on Austin Bold FC at 6:30PM. For the Juneteenth match, the squad will wear limited edition, commemorative kits in partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. After the game, the jerseys will all be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the BCRI.

All fans that purchase a ticket to Saturday's game, or "Enter to Win" in the Legion FC FanZone, will be eligible to win one of the BCRI-themed jerseys. Tickets for Saturday's match are available by contacting the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@bhmlegion.com.

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