USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC at FC Tulsa - Saturday, September 11

Published on September 10, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC at FC Tulsa

Saturday, September 11 - 7:00PM CT Kickoff

ONEOK Field - Tulsa, OK

Watch - My68, ESPN+

Stats - Legion FC Match Center

Legion FC lost in devastating fashion last weekend at Memphis and has to try and respond in another road trip to FC Tulsa on Saturday night.

Forward Prosper Kasim will look to keep his mini-hot streak alive after scoring twice in two games last week, and the team will welcome back the talents on forward Junior Flemmings as he returns from international duty with Jamaica and midfielder Bruno Lapa as he makes his return from injury.

Flemmings is second on the team in goals, with five, second to just his fellow countryman, forward Neco Brett's 12, which is tied for third-most in the league. However, Brett will look to regain some confidence after finding the back of the net just once in the past five matches.

The backline will look to regroup after giving up three goals for just the second time this season in the recent trip to Memphis, twice conceding off set pieces. Mainstays in the side, like midfielder Anderson Asiedu, right back Jonny Dean, center back Phanuel Kavita, and goalkeeper Matt VanOekel, the top four players on the team in minutes, will be leaned on to right the ship on the revenge trip to Oklahoma.

FC Tulsa comes into the contest having been on a bit of a roller coaster ride the second half of the season. The last three weeks it has been the hottest team in the USL Championship, having won five matches in a row, over Indy, LouCity, ATL2, Memphis and Birmingham, but had previously lost five of six before the winning streak began on August 22.

Two recent wins came over Legion FC, 3-1 in OK on August 7, and 2-1 in AL on August 22. The team has been strong all year at home as well, riding the sixth-best attack in the league (36 goals for), and currently sporting a 7-3-0 record when playing at ONEOK Field this season.

Forward Rodrigo da Costa leads the team in goals (eight), followed by Marlon (seven) and Dario Suarez (seven). Marlon and da Costa are tied for first in assists (four), while Marlon and Suarez are tops in shots (33), and da Costa leads the way in chances created (35). Forward Joaquin Rivas is another player to watch in the attack, and he'll be fresh off of another stint playing for El Salvador in the recent World Cup Qualifiers.

At the back, central defender Mo Jadama is a force, and is near the top of the stat sheet for Tulsa this season in clearances, interceptions, blocks and tackles. He'll look to join team leader in minutes, left back Matt Sheldon, and the rest of the backline in limiting Legion's chances, but the Tulsa defense has allowed the ninth-most goals in the USLC this year, at 35.

On this week's VIVA Health injury report, Legion FC midfielder Daigo Kobayashi (knee) is still listed as questionable. The only other player unavailable for selection is defender Freddy Kleemann, as he has been recalled from loan by Austin FC.

Fans can tune in to watch tomorrow's match at 7:00PM CT on My68 or ESPN+ or follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live updates.

The club's next home match is Saturday, September 18 at 6:30PM at BBVA Field against OKC Energy FC. Grab your tickets for 9/18.

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 10, 2021


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