Match Preview: Legion FC vs FC Tulsa - Saturday, July 23 at Protective Stadium
July 22, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs FC Tulsa
Saturday, July 23
6:30pm CT Kickoff
Protective Stadium - Birmingham, AL
Get Tickets Today
Postgame Firework Show!
Watch - My68 & ESPN+
Birmingham Legion FC finally return home to Protective Stadium after five matches on the road to take on Eastern Conference foe FC Tulsa on Saturday night. The road warriors defied the odds - going 3-1-1 in their away stint, including besting Sacramento FC last Saturday, a club who had not lost at home since 2021. The Sparks' successful away campaign leaves the club tied for second in the USL Championship in away wins. Now the squad returns to Birmingham in a great position to continue its run to the top of the table.
The Legion's terrific form (tied for second in the League in points earned in its last eight matches) is largely thanks to an offense that is in its best form this season thus far. In the Three Sparks' last five games, the boys put up ten goals, including two three goal outings, at Atlanta and at Charleston.
Enzo Martinez is one of the hottest commodities in the Championship at the moment, with six goal involvements in those ten games, and Juan Agudelo grabbed the winner at SAC by scoring the fastest goal in Legion's history last Saturday in just 63 seconds. Martinez leads Birmingham across the board - in goals (six), shots (29), assists (four), and chances created (40), a number good for sixth-most in the USL Championship.
Defensively, Birmingham has one of the tightest backlines in the League. Legion veteran Matt VanOekel ties for the most clean sheets in the USL with eight thanks to standout goalkeeping and help from a steadfast backline and guys like Phanuel Kavita, Alex Crognale, Team of the Week member Ryan James, and Jonny Dean. James put up a terrific performance at Sacramento from left back - leading the team in touches and passes, while winning six of nine duels and both of his tackles, making two interceptions, and adding one clearance. He also only allowed one completed cross all game from his side of the field.
Tulsa comes to Birmingham 2-2-1 in its last five but is winless this season on the road (0-8-2). Last time out the club suffered a 2-1 defeat against New Mexico United at home, a game in which defender Johnny Fenwick earned a red card. Fenwick has been a key part of the team's attack and will now have to miss Saturday's match, as will midfielder Adrian Diz Pe. Tulsa's defense this year has not been spectacular - the Oklahoma side have conceded the third most goals in the league (39).
On its attacking end of play, former Birmingham Legionnaire and Alabama native JJ Williams leads Tulsa in goals (eight) and is tied for the most shots in the league (48). USLC mainstay Rodrigo da Costa is second on the team in goals (seven) and leads the way in chances created (25), but the whole team shares the love going forward, as seven players are tied for the team lead in assists with two.
For this week's UAB Medicine Injury Report, defender Jake Rufe is out due to a lower body injury and defender Freddy Kleemann is out due to a torn ACL.
To celebrate returning home, there will be a firework show after Saturday's match that you will not want to miss! Fans that cannot make it to Protective this time can tune in to My68 or ESPN+ to watch the match and can follow @bhmlegion on twitter for live match updates.
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