USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC at Sporting KC II - Wednesday, September 1

Published on August 31, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC at Sporting Kansas City II

Wednesday, September 1 - 7:00PM CT Kickoff

Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, KS

Watch - My68, ESPN+

Stats - Legion FC Match Center

After a massive win over Louisville City FC to pull within four points of first in the race for the top spot in the Central Division on Saturday at home, Legion FC will look to avoid a letdown on a trip to Kansas City on short rest to take on Sporting KC II on Wednesday.

Forward Neco Brett opened the scoring in that game with his 12th goal of the season, third-most in the league, and strike partner JJ Williams scored the game winner just one minute after coming on as a second half substitute to grab his fourth goal of the year, to go along with three assists. He currently is third on the team in goals and tied for second in assists.

Williams is tied with forward Junior Flemmings in assists, as Flemmings assisted Williams' goal on Wednesday and is second on the team in goals with five. BHM will be without his services this match though, as he has joined Jamaica this international window for World Cup Qualifiers, starting with Jamaica's match at the Azteca Thursday against Mexico. Head Coach Tommy Soehn will look to Williams, Jaden Servania, Prosper Kasim and the rest of the squad to pick up the slack in the attack.

Legion defeated SKCII in the teams' only prior meeting this season, 4-2 on August 11 in Birmingham, with goals from Brett, Williams, Flemmings, and midfielder Anderson Asiedu.

Sporting Kansas City II comes into the match fresh off of two straight draws, but as a team is still winless in its past eight contests. Despite only allowing one goal total in those two matches, SKC did allow four goals in each of the three games prior. The team has also only one won time at home this season, with a home record of 1-6-4, and is dead in the middle of the pack in the USLC in goals in 2021 (25) and in shots (247) but are third from the bottom in goals allowed (43).

Forward Enoch Mushagalusa, the only player on the team to have played in all 22 games this year, leads the side in goals with six and shots with 47. He's also second in chances created with 17 behind Jacob Davis, who has 22. Davis also is first on the team in assists with four. Four different goalkeepers have made at least two appearances, but Kendall McIntosh and John Pulskamp lead the way with eight each and both players have two shutouts on the season.

On this week's VIVA Health injury report, Legion FC midfielder Daigo Kobayashi (knee) is still listed as questionable, along with midfielder Bruno Lapa (sports hernia) and midfielder Marcos Ugarte (knee). Defender Freddy Kleemann has been recalled from loan by Austin FC, and Williams is unavailable for selection while on international duty.

Legion FC continues the road trip with a match at rival Memphis 901 FC on Saturday at 7:00pm. Fans can tune in to watch the match on My68 or ESPN+ or follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live updates.

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 31, 2021


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