USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC at Memphis 901 FC

May 3, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC at Memphis 901 FC

Saturday, May 4 - 3:00PM CT Kickoff - AutoZone Park, Memphis, TN

Watch - My68, ESPN+

Legion FC finish up a tough week of games on the road at Memphis this Saturday, May 4, at 3:00PM CT. The boys from Birmingham will look to bounce back from a defeat midweek by taking points from the fellow USL Eastern Conference expansion side and regional rival.

Due to some schedule congestion this week, with three matches in eight days and a busy couple of weeks ahead in the league and U.S. Open Cup, Head Coach Tom Soehn proactively began to rotate his squad midweek at New York and will continue working to keep the guys fresh. Midfielders Marcos Ugarte and Joseph Holland and defender Gael Mabiala all got their first starts of the season and are ready to build off of their performances, and defender Mathieu Laurent will look to return from a knock sustained pre-game Wednesday.

Soehn is looking forward to the opportunity for the guys to quickly get back out on the pitch, and he said "the fortunate part about having a few games back to back is the quick turnaround."

"In everything there's a lesson. With this one we have to have a short memory because of the quick turnaround to Saturday, but we will learn from this one. We have to take a lesson from this and turn around quickly to get something from Memphis."

Memphis 901 FC are also looking to rebound, after they fell at Louisville City on Tuesday, 2-1. The Memphis squad are still searching for their first win at home and are on a four-match losing streak. With just five points through nine matches, they currently sit in 15th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The team is anchored by a stiff defense, which is led by center back and captain, #8 Marc Burch. The problem is Burch also leads the team in goals, with two. In similar fashion to Legion FC, goals have been hard to come by at home, as the last home goal at AutoZone Park hit the back of the net on March 16. Veteran USL striker Jochen Graf just joined the club and aims to bring the vital attacking boost.

Marcel Appiah will miss out on selection again with a calf strain, Femi Hollinger-Janzen will not make the trip due to a knock picked up against Loudoun, and loanees Brian Wright and JJ Williams are both back with their MLS clubs this week. Everyone else on the Legion FC roster is ready to go. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel is also out with a bone bruise sustained against New York, so Joe Nasco joins the squad at keeper.

Follow @bhmlegion on Twitter for more info and live game updates from Memphis and watch locally on My68 and nationally on ESPN+.

The boys then return home to BBVA Compass Field for a rematch against Louisville City FC on Saturday, May 11 at 7:00PM. Tickets are available at bhmlegion.com/tickets or by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-600-4635.

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2019


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