USL Birmingham Legion FC

Match Preview: Legion FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - Sunday, November 7

Published on November 5, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


Legion FC finished off its third, and most successful, season in the USL Championship with the number two seed in the Central Division, thereby earning the club its first-ever home playoff game this Sunday, Nov. 7 at 4:00PM. The finished with a club record 60 points, good for fifth-best total in the league, as well as the sixth-best goal differential, at plus-20.

The strength of the side this season has been its defense, which allowed just 31 goals all year, the second fewest in the league. Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel racked up nine clean sheets, Alex Crognale led the way with 110 clearances, Ryan James was tops in interceptions with 64, Phanuel Kavita was first in blocks with 25, and Anderson Asiedu had the most tackles with 59.

The attack was strong as well, finishing the regular season with 51 goals, which was top ten in the league, led by forward Neco Brett's 18, fifth-most in the USLC. Brett led the team in shots (61), while Jonny Dean was first in chances created (47) and assists (five).

The team fared well as home, winning ten games, losing four and drawing two. Birmingham's opponents put together a solid road record this season as well, finishing the regular season campaign with a mark of 8-5-3 at Highmark Stadium.

Pittsburgh may have finished with the three seed in the USLC's Atlantic Division but racked up the seventh most points in the league in the regular season (58), six more than any other three seed across the USL, making the Riverhounds potentially the toughest road-bound team in the league to start the playoffs.

Bob Lilley-coached teams are known for being highly organized and hard to breakdown defensively, and that continued to be the case this season, as the group conceded just 34 goals, tied for third-fewest in the league.

"[Pittsburgh is] well-coached, well-drilled," said Legion FC defender Alex Crognale. "Their guys battle hard. We've been watching a lot of film on them, and they have some guys that will hurt you, but I think as a team they are more dangerous than any individual player because they are hard to breakdown, they could catch you on the counter, and they're not a team you should sleep on."

The Riverhounds attack scored 52 times, which was ninth-most in the USLC, led by forward Russell Cicerone and strike partner Alex Dixon. Cicerone led the team in goals with 16 (tied for seventh-most in the league) and checked in at second on the team in assists with eight, while Dixon was second to Cicerone with nine goals and first in assists, also with nine.

Veteran midfielder Kenardo Forbes pulls the strings and sets the team's pace from a deeper-lying central midfield position and after earning a spot in the 2019 and 2020 All-League First Teams, he finished first in chances created (61) and third in assists (six) for the Riverhounds in 2021.

Legion FC last faced Pittsburgh in the 2019 USL Championship playoffs, but now Birmingham actually has more players on its current roster that started that game for Pittsburgh (Brett, James, and Thomas Vancaeyezeele) than the Riverhounds do (Forbes and Jordan Dover).

This game's VIVA Health injury report is, thankfully, zero names long again, but defender Freddy Kleemann (recalled from loan by Austin FC) will continue to be unavailable for selection.

Fans can grab tickets, recently released at lowered, specialty playoff pricing so that BHM fills The Bank, by going HERE, and are highly encouraged to check out the Match Day Info page to learn about the stadium's strictly enforced Clear Bag Policy as well as concessions and parking options, venue prohibited items, and more.

Please reach out to the Legion FC Ticket Office (205-791-7145 / tickets@bhmlegion.com) with any questions or requests, and Hammer Down!

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MATCH INFO:

Birmingham Legion FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Sunday, November 7 - 4:00PM Kickoff

Forecast - Sunny, High of 66, Precipitation 0%

PNC Field (formerly named BBVA Field)

Watch - My68, ESPN+

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 5, 2021


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