USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC at Sporting KC II- Friday, October 1

September 30, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC at Sporting KC II

Friday, October 1 - 7:00PM CT Kickoff

Children's Mercy Park - Kansas City, KS

Watch - ESPN+

Stats - Legion FC Match Center

Two draws and two wins on the trot have Legion FC back in position to claim the top spot in the USL Championship's Central Division, and clinch a playoff berth, with a win on Friday night. The top two seeds in the division earn the right to host their first-round playoff game, and with just six matches left in the 2021 regular season the pressure remains on for Friday's trip to SKCII.

After bagging six goals in the past two matches, the Legion FC attack is riding high and will look to keep leaning on the USLC's third-leading goal scorer, Neco Brett. Brett scored his 13th, 14th, and 15th goals of the season last week, while also adding an assist, en route to being named USLC Player of the Week, his third Team of the Week selection of the season.

Midfielder Prosper Kasim also capped off a string of stellar performances in the past month with a spot on TOTW, after grabbing a goal and assist in last Wednesday's win at ATL. BHM has prevailed in both prior meetings with SKC this year, winning 4-2 in the Magic City in August thanks to goals from Brett, JJ Williams, Junior Flemmings, and Anderson Asiedu, and eking out a 1-0 win in Kansas City in September on the back of a Kasim goal.

Sporting KC II comes into the match in last place in the Central Division but have yet to be eliminated from the playoff race and continue to remain competitive in every game, as evidenced by a win and two draws in its past five contests. 36 different players have made appearances for SKC this season, and the roster is full of young, talented players in the Sporting Kansas City pipeline, so preparation from the Legion FC coaching staff will be critical.

Forward Enoch Mushagalusa is the only player on the roster to play in all 26 of his team's games this season, and he's also the team's leading scorer, with seven goals. He also leads the team in shots (55), having racked up nearly twice as many as the player in second (Rojay Smith, 28). Midfielder Jacob Davis leads the way creatively, with five assists and 29 chances created, both tops on the team. Four different goalkeepers have taken the field for SKCII, with Kendall McIntosh and John Pulskamp making 10 appearances each to lead from the back.

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.

This contest is our only match of the season that will not air locally on My68 and will just be available on ESPN+. Fans are also encouraged to following @bhmlegion on Twitter for live match updates.

The team's next home game is on Sunday, October 10 at 4:00PM against another Central Division foe, Indy Eleven. It will also be Vulcan Materials Company Salute to Service Night at BBVA Field, so military veterans can visit vettix.org for access to complimentary tickets!

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 30, 2021


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