Match Preview: Legion FC at New Mexico United - Saturday, June 25
June 24, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC at New Mexico United
Saturday, June 25
8:00pm CT Kickoff
Isotopes Park - Albuquerque, NM
Watch - My68 & ESPN+
Legion FC kicks off its month-long road trip with a first-ever visit to New Mexico to take on New Mexico United, looking to extend its season best run of three wins in a row.
Birmingham's defense has been its strong suit in 2022, having allowed the third fewest goals in the USL Championship this season (12) and has just three goals allowed in its last seven games, a stretch in which the team has four wins, two draws, and just one loss. Defender Jake Rufe was named to the USLC Team of the Week for his efforts in Week 14, and defender Alex Crognale earned a nod after Week 13, highlighting the club's high-level of play recently at the back.
BHM will continue to look for sparks in the attack, especially with leading goal scorer Prosper Kasim listed as questionable with a hamstring. Kasim also leads the team in shots (24) and is tied at the top in assists (two) with Enzo Martinez, who is first in chances created (30). Eyes will turn to the rest of the attacking group, like forwards Juan Agudelo, Marlon Santos, Edi Horvat, and midfielders like Anderson Asiedu, especially after his game-winner last time out, to pick up the slack.
For the second match in a row, Legion FC faces off against the team currently playing as the hottest in the league. New Mexico comes into the contest in fourth place in the Western Conference, but on a five-game winning streak and are seven games unbeaten.
Former Birmingham forward Neco Brett leads United in goals (five), but three other players in the side, Chris Wehan, Harry Swartz, and Justin Portillo all have four each. Portillo and Daniel Bruce are tops in assists (tied with three), Portillo leads the way in chances created (38), and Brett is first in shots (26).
On top of being a dangerous attacking team, whose 23 goals are good for a tie for sixth-most in the league, NMU's 10 goals conceded are also the fewest in the entire USL Championship. Tommy Soehn's Birmingham side will have its work cut out for it, but will surely relish the opportunity to knock off yet another top team to continue its own winning streak.
For this week's UAB Medicine Injury Report, midfielder Prosper Kasim is listed as questionable with a hamstring and defender Freddy Kleemann is out due to a torn ACL.
Fans can tune in to My68 or ESPN+ to watch the match and can follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live match updates!
Legion FC's next home game at Protective Stadium is on Saturday, July 23 versus Eastern Conference foe FC Tulsa at 6:30pm, and fans can grab your tickets today!
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