Match Preview: Legion FC vs Atlanta United 2 - Saturday, July 31
July 30, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Atlanta United 2
Saturday, July 31 - 6:30PM CT Kickoff
BBVA Field - Birmingham, AL
Watch - My68, ESPN+
Stats - Legion FC Match Center
Legion FC prepares to take on Atlanta United 2 twice in a week, starting this Saturday, July 31 at 6:30PM at BBVA Field and then again on Wednesday, August 4 at 7PM, looking to keep pace with Louisville City FC at the top of the Central Division.
BHM won the first meeting in Atlanta on May 30, thanks to a 93rd minute penalty from Bruno Lapa. The second game this year was rained out in BHM on June 30 and is rescheduled for August 4. Lapa remains out with a sports hernia, but BHM gets a boost in the attack with return of forward Junior Flemmings from international duty with Jamaica. Neco Brett will continue to lead the line, as he is third in the USLC with eight goals, with support from guys like Prosper Kasim, who just scored his first goal of the season last weekend at Indy.
Head Coach Tommy Soehn will also continue to integrate new defender/midfielder Thomas Vancaeyezeele into the side, as well as midfielder Zach Herivaux as he returns from playing with Haiti. Defensively, the side has registered five clean sheets this season, second-most in the league, led by captain Phanuel Kavita who has still played every minute all season and is first on the team in clearances and fourth in interceptions and tackles. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel has also been cleared to return after missing last weekend's match with back tightness.
"With Atlanta it's always different," said defender Jonny Dean, who made the USL Championship Team of the Week last week. "When we played them there the first time, they had a bunch of first team guys drop down and play against us, and then when they came here it was more of their second team, with a few first team guys so we'll see. They're a young team, so hopefully we can capitalize on that with the depth and experience we have over the next week."
Atlanta United 2 comes back to Birmingham on short rest, fresh off a 2-1 home victory midweek over FC Tulsa, thanks to goals from forward Amadou Diop and midfielder Dre Fortune, but as a team are just 1-4-2 on the road in 2021. The team's lone road win came in match week two on May 1 at OKC Energy FC. As per usual with ATL2, roster turnover has been a big factor in the team's performance, with 35 different players making gameday rosters this year, as compared to Legion's 24.
Midfielder Aiden McFadden leads ATL in goals (five) and is tied at the top in shots (19) with forward Matias Benitez. Midfielders Will Reilly and Robbie Mertz are first in assists (two), and Mertz leads the way in chances created (17). Four different goalkeepers have made appearances, with Rocco Rios Novo at the top with 33 saves in eight games, and he saved a penalty versus Tulsa midweek to preserve his team's lead.
On this week's VIVA Health injury report, Legion FC midfielder Daigo Kobayashi is questionable with a knee issue, and midfielder Bruno Lapa is out due to a sports hernia. Defender Freddy Kleemann is also unavailable for selection as he has been recalled from loan by Austin FC.
The Three Sparks will be back at BBVA Field again on Wednesday, August 4, at 7:00PM, and Everybody Wins on Wednesdays with Legion FC! Join us downtown for one-dollar hotdogs, two-dollar beers, and a post-game firework show.
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