USL Birmingham Legion FC

Neco Brett's League-Leading Seventh Goal Earns Legion FC the Win over Miami

June 24, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


MIAMI, FL - Birmingham Legion FC won its sixth game of the season on a humid night in Miami on Wednesday, thanks to forward Neco Brett's league-leading seventh goal of the season and the team's fourth shutout. The win moves the Black and Gold back into first place in the USL Championship's Central Division.

The visitors came out firing in the first ten minutes of the match, creating multiple dangerous chances and pulling a couple saves out of Miami FC's goalkeeper. The home side settled into the match and got into their attack in the first half as well, putting up eight shots in the first 45 minutes, but none that troubled Matt VanOekel's goal.

Legion FC's 'keeper earned his league-leading fourth clean sheet by making five big saves on the night and gave all the credit to his coaches and back line when asked about the team's strong start to the season defensively, given the offseason additions at the back.

"Phanuel [Kavita] and Ryan [James] are both very experienced and intelligent players who fit the values of the club to a T, and Ben [Ofeimu] is an exceptional talent with a fantastic background. I enjoy playing with everyone in this locker room. It is like they have been with us since the beginning.

"The talented depth we have on this team is key. I think [Head Coach] Tommy [Soehn] and [Assistant Coach] Khano [Smith] can put in anyone on a given night and they can deliver. Like Jaden [Servania] did tonight versus Miami. He changed the game."

After a frantic, fast-paced continuation to the game coming out of half time, both managers made a few changes, none more important than Soehn's substitution of forward Jaden Servania into the game. Servania's first touch on the ball in the 82nd minute saw him ride a challenge, skip past another orange and teal clad defender along the endline, and rifle a pass to the penalty spot where, after a deft leave by JJ Williams, Brett's first time shot found the back of the net.

Zach Herivaux anchored the back three on the evening and led the team with four tackles and two blocks. His fellow center backs Alex Crognale and captain Phanuel Kavita paced the side in clearances with five and four, respectively, and wing back Ryan James and forward Junior Flemmings led the team in interceptions with three each. Flemmings led the attack in shots as well, with three, while midfielder Bruno Lapa and wing back Jonny Dean were tops in key passes, also three each.

Head Coach Tommy Soehn when asked about how the attack can increase its output moving forward:

"I think defenders have a much easier time adjusting to new teams. It's the attacking guys that have to be able to learn different patterns and adjust to different guys around them. Junior [Flemmings] will continue to be a big part of this group, and it's not just about scoring, even though I know for him it is, so once he gets that first one the flood gates will open. But it's also great to have fresh legs come into the game, and Jaden came on and did a great job. He made a play out of nothing, and we got three points out of it. So, it's great to have depth and it's great to have options so you can change things up."

Box Score:

1st Half 2nd Half

MIA 0 0

BHM 0 1

Goals:

BHM - 82' - #11 Neco Brett (assisted by #17 Jaden Servania)

Starting Lineups:

MIA - 4-3-3 - #24 Connor Sparrow; #11 Richard Ballard (78' - #14 Robert Kcira), #5 Paco Craig, #4 Callum Chapman-Page, #19 Janos Loebe (78' - #2 Bah Othello); #30 Bolu Akinyode, #18 Junior Palacios, #80 Speedy Williams; #9 Christiano Francois (61' - #21 Adonijah Reid), #98 Pierre Da Silva (74' - #10 Ariel Martinez), #13 Lamar Walker (61' - #7 Billy Forbes)

BHM - 3-4-3 - #1 Matt VanOekel; #21 Alex Crognale (76' - #5 Mikey Lopez), #20 Zach Herivaux, #3 Phanuel Kavita ©; #24 Jonny Dean, #6 Anderson Asiedu (90+2' - #16 Daigo Kobayashi), #8 Bruno Lapa (85' - #12 Eli Crognale), #7 Ryan James; #23 JJ Williams, #11 Neco Brett, #77 Junior Flemmings (76' - #17 Jaden Servania)

Legion FC returns to BBVA Field next Wednesday, June 30 to celebrate Pride Night and to take on Atlanta United 2, and Everybody Wins on Wednesdays with Legion FC! Join us for dollar hotdogs, two-dollar beers, and a post-game firework show, and a great night out in Birmingham.

Check out the Birmingham Legion FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 24, 2021


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