USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC at Charlotte Independence - Wednesday, August 12

Published on August 11, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


Legion FC maintained its lead over the rest of its Group G competitors by grinding out a 1-0 win over Atlanta United 2 on Saturday. The victory was the Black and Gold's fourth of the year, and it puts the club six points clear heading into its second clash of the year with the Charlotte Independence.

Charlotte is in Group G alongside Birmingham, meaning the two clubs will come up against each other four times this season per the newly formatted season schedule. Legion FC currently sits at the top of the Group with 13 points from six matches, while the Independence are in third place with five points and two games in hand.

By kickoff, it will have been a week since the last meeting between these two sides. Last week's affair saw the Birmingham attack run rampant, as forward Neco Brett, midfielder Bruno Lapa, and defender Jonathan Dean all found the back of the net. The Independence did not leave BBVA Field empty handed, though, as club captain Enzo Martinez pulled one back late on from the penalty spot.

While Legion FC are running on short rest, in the middle of playing five matches in 15 days, at least so are the Independence. Charlotte followed up its 4-1 defeat to Legion FC with a 1-1 draw at home with the Charleston Battery on Saturday, an opponent that BHM defeated 2-1 on the road in July. USL Championship's all-time leading goal scorer Dane Kelly scored the Independence's lone goal in the contest, adding to his record total with a finish in the first half.

Legion FC, on the other hand, compounded on the victory over Charlotte with another win at home. Midfielder Prosper Kasim returned to the starting lineup for the first time since injuring his hamstring against Charleston, and then marked his return with the game-winning goal on the stroke of halftime, as he found space at the top of the key to fire a shot past Atlanta United 2 'keeper Ben Lundgaard. BHM then went on to earn its second clean sheet of the season after a solid defensive performance from the entire group.

Just like last week, the Charlotte attack will run through Kelly and Martinez, and USL vets like defender Hugh Roberts and goalkeeper Brandon Miller will hope to shore things up at the back. While he continues to rotate his squad and keep guys fresh, Legion FC Head Coach Tommy Soehn will look to land on the right lineup combination in order to repeat last Wednesday's outcome between these two clubs.

The match in Charlotte will be the first of a two-game trip through the Carolinas. Following the contest with the Independence, the squad will make the short trip over to Cary to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 15 at 6:00PM CT. Watch the match live on My68 or ESPN+. With both matches carrying heavy implications for the Group G standings, Legion FC can further separate itself from the rest of the group by earning a pair of victories.

Defenders Razak Cromwell (ankle) and Mathieu Laurent (torn ACL) will be unavailable for the match, per the VIVA Health injury report.

For live match updates, follow @bhmlegion on Twitter, or tune in as the match will air live on My68 and ESPN+.

The next home match back at BBVA Field is Saturday, August 22 at 6:30PM versus Group G 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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MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC at Charlotte Independence

Wednesday, August 12 - 6:00PM CT Kickoff

Sportsplex at Matthews - Charlotte, NC

Watch - My68, ESPN+

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 11, 2020


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