USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks - Saturday, March 26

Published on March 25, 2022 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Saturday, March 26

6:30pm CT Kickoff

Protective Stadium - Birmingham, AL

Watch - My68 & ESPN+

Birmingham Legion FC returns home this weekend seeking its first win of the 2022 USL Championship season. Standing in its way is Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, a side who has won both its games to kick off the year.

The contest will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, as past divisional groupings have kept the two clubs from crossing paths. So with film being the only exposure either team has had of one another, expect an exciting game where either squad will battle to establish their style of play.

Legion FC suffered a 3-1 defeat against FC Tulsa on the road in its second match of the season despite leading in shots (21-8), shots on target (6-3), possession (53%), and passes and passing accuracy. Currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, Legion will look to improve in front of their fans against the Switchbacks on Saturday. In the Legion attack, Prosper Kasim ties for the lead in goals (1) with Marlon Santos, and leads in assists (1). The Switchbacks will have to watch out for Legion's versatile defender Jonny Dean, who leads the team in chances created with five and blocks with two. With Alex Crognale (red card) and Freddy Kleemann (injury) both absent, Legion will lean on captain Phanuel Kavita and GK Matt VanOekel to stop a high-powered Colorado attack.

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks come into this game tied for second in the Western Conference after starting the season with two wins at home.

The Switchbacks look to be a deep team thus far, with goals coming from Malik Johnson, Michee Ngalina, and Elvis Amoh, and none yet from 2021 USL Championship MVP and Golden Boot Winner Hadji Berry, who bagged 25 goals in 2021. COS finished last season in third place in the Mountain Division, on 49 points, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champs, Orange County. The Switchbacks finished 2021 tied for fourth in the league with 60 goals scored but finished bottom ten in the league with 51 goals allowed.

Colorado has started the season well defensively, allowing only one goal so far. However, with the club's aforementioned defensive shortcomings taken into account, this could be the perfect opportunity for Legion FC to start clicking offensively. With the loss to FC Tulsa a result to leave in the rearview, a positive to build upon is the higher number of chances created. If Saturday is the day that things start to work for the Three Sparks offensively, Colorado could very well be in trouble.

Saturday's contest is the first of a three game homestand for the Black & Gold. Following the meeting with the Switchbacks, Legion FC will welcome perennial contenders and Eastern Conference rivals Louisville City FC on Saturday, April 2, while Hartford Athletic will make its first trip to Birmingham since July 2019 on Sunday, April 10. Tickets for tomorrow's fixture are available by calling the Legion FC Ticket Office at 205-791-7145, and the match will air live on My68 and on ESPN+.

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 25, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central