Match Preview: Legion FC at Indy Eleven - Saturday, July 24 at 6PM
July 23, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at Indy Eleven
Saturday, July 24 - 6:00PM CT Kickoff
Carroll Stadium - Indianapolis, IN
Watch - My68, ESPN+
Stats - Legion FC Match Center
Legion FC heads to Indy for the second time this season, refreshed after a bye week, looking to rebound after losing its last match and build upon its 1-1-0 record against Indy this season.
Legion won at Indy just three weeks ago, 1-0, thanks to an early Neco Brett penalty, and Brett is tied for second in the USL Championship with eight goals in 12 games. Brett and forward JJ Williams will be the focal point of the attack, as forward partner Junior Flemmings is unavailable while on international duty with Jamaica for the Gold Cup.
Defensively, the side has registered five clean sheets this season, second-most in the league, and the backline got a recent boost with the signing of 2020 All-League First Teamer Thomas Vancaeyezeele, who played the full 90 min in his first game with Legion. Captain Phanuel Kavita will lead from the back, as he has all season while playing every minute this year, and he is first on the team in clearances, third in interceptions and fourth in tackles.
Indy Eleven welcomes BHM to Carroll Stadium looking for its first win in over a month, since a 2-1 win at SKC on June 20, and its first home win since May 22, which was also over SKC, 2-0. Despite that fact, Indy have been fiercely competitive in the last few months, drawing three of their last five games and falling just 1-0 in its last two losses.
The home side have scored two more goals than BHM this season (14), but still sit in the bottom third in the league in goals for and are middle of the pack in goals allowed (16). Forward Jordan Hamilton leads the team in goals with four, forward Manuel Arteaga has three goals and is first in shots with 34 (tied for first in the USLC), midfielder Gordon Wild is tops in assists with three, and midfielder Nicky Law leads the way with 24 chances created (tied for eighth in the league).
On this week's VIVA Health injury report, Legion FC goalkeeper Matt VanOekel is questionable for the match with back tightness, midfielder Daigo Kobayashi is questionable with a knee issue, and midfielder Bruno Lapa is out due to a sports hernia. Flemmings and midfielder Zach Herivaux are unavailable while on international duty, and defender Freddy Kleemann has been recalled from loan by Austin FC.
Tune in to watch the match versus Indy Eleven Saturday night at 6:00PM CT, live on My68 or ESPN+!
Legion FC will be back at BBVA Field next weekend to face Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, July 31 at 6:30PM, and then again on Wednesday, August 4, at 7:00PM. Contact the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635 or tickets@bhmlegion.com with any questions and Hammer Down!
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