2020 Birmingham Legion FC season

Birmingham Legion FC 2020 soccer season
Birmingham Legion FC
2020 season
Owners
List
  • Jack Bryant
    Billy Harbert
    John Harbert
    Jeff Logan
    James Outland
    Jim Rein
    Lee Styslinger III
Head coachTom Soehn
USL ChampionshipConference: 7th
Group G: 2nd
USLC PlayoffsConference Quarterfinals
2020 U.S. Open CupCancelled
Biggest winMIA 0–4 BHM (September 16)
Biggest defeatBHM 1–3 CLT (September 12)
MEM 3–1 BHM (October 3)
TBR 4–2 BHM (October 10)
Home colors
Away colors
Third colors
← 2019
2021 →

The 2020 Birmingham Legion FC season was the club's second season of existence and their second in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer.[1] This article covers the period from November 18, 2019, the day after the 2019 USLC Playoff Final, to the conclusion of the 2020 USLC Playoff Final, scheduled for November 12–16, 2020.[2]

Roster

As of 22 January 2020[3]
No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
0 Joe Nasco United States GK (1984-06-18) June 18, 1984 (age 39) 2019 United States Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0 0
1 Matt Van Oekel United States GK (1986-09-20) September 20, 1986 (age 37) 2019 United States OKC Energy 0 0
18 Trevor Spangenberg United States GK (1991-04-21) April 21, 1991 (age 33) 2019 United States Richmond Kickers 0 0
Defenders
3 Kyle Fisher United States DF (1994-06-19) June 19, 1994 (age 29) 2019 Canada Montreal Impact 0 0
12 Eric Avila United States DF (1987-11-24) November 24, 1987 (age 36) 2019 United States Las Vegas Lights 0 0
15 Akeem Ward United States DF (1996-01-06) January 6, 1996 (age 28) 2019 United States D.C. United 0 0
17 Gael Mabiala France DF (1994-06-07) June 7, 1994 (age 29) 2019 United States UAB Blazers 0 0
22 Mathieu Laurent Canada DF (1996-02-28) February 28, 1996 (age 28) 2019 United States UAB Blazers 0 0
23 Benjamin Kucera United States DF (1994-08-10) August 10, 1994 (age 29) 2019 United States Birmingham Hammers 0 0
30 Razak Cromwell Ghana DF (1994-10-03) October 3, 1994 (age 29) 2019 Ghana Dreams FC (loan) 0 0
33 Kyle Culbertson United States DF (1992-11-03) November 3, 1992 (age 31) 2019 United States Saint Louis FC 0 0
Midfielders
2 Marcos Ugarte United States MF (1992-12-02) December 2, 1992 (age 31) 2019 Denmark Ringkøbing 0 0
5 Mikey Lopez United States MF (1993-02-20) February 20, 1993 (age 31) 2019 United States San Antonio FC 0 0
6 Anderson Asiedu Ghana MF (1996-06-12) June 12, 1996 (age 27) 2019 United States Atlanta United FC 0 0
8 Joe Holland England MF (1993-04-21) April 21, 1993 (age 31) 2019 United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0 0
14 Daniel Johnson United States MF (1995-09-08) September 8, 1995 (age 28) 2019 United States Chicago Fire 0 0
16 Daigo Kobayashi Japan MF (1983-02-19) February 19, 1983 (age 41) 2019 United States Las Vegas Lights 0 0
21 Zachary Herivaux Haiti MF (1996-02-01) February 1, 1996 (age 28) 2019 United States New England Revolution (loan) 0 0
Forwards
7 Brian Wright Canada FW (1995-03-24) March 24, 1995 (age 29) 2019 United States New England Revolution (loan) 0 0
9 Chandler Hoffman United States FW (1990-08-17) August 17, 1990 (age 33) 2019 United States Real Monarchs 0 0
10 Prosper Kasim Ghana FW (1996-12-15) December 15, 1996 (age 27) 2019 Sweden IFK Göteborg 0 0
11 JJ Williams United States FW (1998-01-04) January 4, 1998 (age 26) 2019 United States Columbus Crew SC (loan) 0 0
13 Tyler Savitsky United States FW (1996-07-05) July 5, 1996 (age 27) 2019 Denmark Næstved 0 0
27 Edward Opoku Ghana FW (1996-08-01) August 1, 1996 (age 27) 2019 United States Columbus Crew SC (loan) 0 0
88 Femi Hollinger-Janzen Benin FW (1993-12-14) December 14, 1993 (age 30) 2019 United States New England Revolution 0 0

Competitions

Exhibitions

Birmingham Legion v Atlanta United FC
February 8 Preseason 1 Birmingham Legion 2–3 Atlanta United FC Birmingham, AL
3:30PM CDT Brett 48' (pen.)
Mensah 80'		 BIR report
ATL report		 Barco 44'
Mulraney Yellow card 51'
Jahn 67' (pen.)
Rossetto 90+2'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Attendance: 6,722
Birmingham Legion v TBD
February 16 Preseason 2 Birmingham Legion v TBD Birmingham, AL
CDT Stadium: BBVA Field
Attendance: Closed
Birmingham Legion v Forward Madison FC
February 19 Preseason 3 Birmingham Legion 3–0 Forward Madison FC Hoover, AL
1:00 PM CST
  • Bergmann 27'
  • Servania 40'
  • Hoffman 50'
 Report Stadium: Hoover Metropolitan Complex
Attendance: Closed
Note: 70 minute scrimmage
Birmingham Legion v Atlanta United 2
February 22 Preseason 4 Birmingham Legion v Atlanta United 2 Marietta, GA
CDT Stadium: Atlanta United Training Facility
Antigua GFC Guatemala v United States Birmingham Legion
February 22 Preseason 5 Antigua GFC Guatemala v United States Birmingham Legion Antigua, Guatemala
12:45PM CDT

USL Championship

Standings — Group G

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Charlotte Independence 16 8 4 4 24 22 +2 28 1.75 Advance to USL Championship Playoffs
2 Birmingham Legion FC 16 7 4 5 29 19 +10 25 1.56
3 North Carolina FC 15 6 1 8 17 21 −4 19 1.27
4 Memphis 901 FC 15 4 4 7 24 31 −7 16 1.07
Source: USL

Match results

In the preparations for the resumption of league play following the shutdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Birmingham's schedule was announced on July 7.[4]

Birmingham Legion v Memphis 901 FC
July 15 1 Birmingham Legion 3–0 Memphis 901 FC Birmingham, AL
7:00 PM CDT Lapa 22', 41'
Servania Yellow card 30'
Wright 31'
A. Crognale Yellow card 52'		 Report da Silva Yellow card 27'
Carroll Red card 58'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Note: Televised live on ESPN2
Charleston Battery v Birmingham Legion
July 19 2 Charleston Battery 1–2 Birmingham Legion Charleston, SC
6:00 PM CDT Lewis 29'
Daley Yellow card 51'		 Report Wright 12'
A. Crognale Yellow card 40'
Rufe Yellow card 45+1'
Cromwell Yellow card 48'
Lapa 54'
Akinyode Yellow card 82'
Servania		 Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium
Referee: Kevin Broadley
Birmingham Legion v Tampa Bay Rowdies
July 25 3 Birmingham Legion 1–1 Tampa Bay Rowdies Birmingham, AL
7:30 PM CDT A. Crognale 16'
Akinyode Yellow card 45+1'
Asiedu Yellow card 66'		 Report Lasso Yellow card 13'
Guenzatti 51'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Chris Ruska
North Carolina FC v Birmingham Legion
August 1 4 North Carolina FC 1–0 Birmingham Legion Cary, NC
6:00 PM CDT Donovan Yellow card 29'
Fortune 51', Yellow card 90+2'
Kristo Yellow card 87'		 Report Akinyode Red card 33'
Brett Yellow card 45'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Referee: Kevin Broadley
Birmingham Legion v Charlotte Independence
August 5 5 Birmingham Legion 4–1 Charlotte Independence Birmingham, AL
7:00 PM CDT Dean 5'
Brett 11', 66'
Lapa 52'		 Report Vadalá Yellow card 29'
Martínez 76' (pen.)		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Birmingham Legion v Atlanta United 2
August 8 6 Birmingham Legion 1–0 Atlanta United 2 Birmingham, AL
6:30 PM CDT A. Crognale Yellow card 27'
Kasim 45+1'		 Report Jadama Yellow card 36' Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
North Carolina FC v Birmingham Legion
August 12 7 North Carolina FC 1–1 Birmingham Legion Matthews, NC
6:00 PM CDT Etou Yellow card 52'
Kelly 82'		 Report Lopez Yellow card 3', 90+3'
E. Crognale Yellow card 47'
Kasim Yellow card 56'
Asiedu Yellow card 68' Yellow-red card 80'		 Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Referee: John Matto
North Carolina FC v Birmingham Legion
August 15 8 North Carolina FC 0–2 Birmingham Legion Cary, NC
7:30 PM CDT Donovan Yellow card 48' Report Servania 18'
Brett 21' (pen.)
A. Crognale Yellow card 42'
Akinyode Yellow card 46'
Van Oekel Yellow card 59'
Lopez Yellow card 60'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Referee: Matthew Franz
Birmingham Legion v Memphis 901 FC
August 22 9 Birmingham Legion 2–2 Memphis 901 FC Birmingham, AL
6:30 PM CDT Lapa 12'
Asiedu Yellow card 24'
Akinyode Yellow card 28'
Brett 90+8' (pen.)		 Report Mentzingen 18', Yellow card 90+4'
Marsh-Brown 29' (pen.), Yellow card 52'
Gonzalez Yellow card 45'
Hague Yellow card 90+2'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Muhammad Hassan
Charlotte Independence v Birmingham Legion
August 29 10 Charlotte Independence 1–4 Birmingham Legion Matthews, NC
6:00 PM CDT Etou Yellow card 82'
Kelly 86'		 Report A. Crognale Yellow card 24'
Servania 26'
Brett 33', 49'
E. Crognale Yellow card 42' Yellow-red card 58'
Asiedu Yellow card 63'
Wright 83', Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
Birmingham Legion v North Carolina FC
September 2 11 Birmingham Legion 1–2 North Carolina FC Birmingham, AL
7:00 PM CDT Kobayashi Yellow card 45+1'
Kasim 59'
Brett soccer ball with red X 90'		 Report Albadawi 24'
Fortune 62' (pen.)		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Memphis 901 v Birmingham Legion
September 5 12 Memphis 901 1–1 Birmingham Legion Memphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Baxter Yellow card 25'
Marsh-Brown 28'
Metzger Yellow card 61' Yellow-red card 73'		 Report E. Crognale Yellow card 43'
Lapa 48' (pen.), Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Referee: Jervis Atagana
Birmingham Legion v Charlotte Independence
September 12 13 Birmingham Legion 1–3 Charlotte Independence Birmingham, AL
6:30 PM CDT Brett 34'
Asiedu Yellow card 48' Yellow-red card 60'		 Report Kelly 17', Yellow card 30', 45'
Etou Yellow card 23'
Lacroix Yellow card 81'
Gebhard 86'
Johnson Yellow card 88' Yellow-red card 90'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Miami FC v Birmingham Legion
September 16 14 Miami FC 0–4 Birmingham Legion Miami, FL
6:30 PM CDT Rozeboom Yellow card 52' Report Brett 35', 55'
Dean Yellow card 38'
A. Crognale 42', 45+1'		 Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Birmingham Legion v North Carolina FC
September 26 15 Birmingham Legion 1–2 North Carolina FC Birmingham, AL
6:30 PM CDT Cromwell Yellow card 23'
Servania 67'
Williams Yellow card 87'		 Report Perez 7', Yellow card 37'
Fortune 26'
Kristo Yellow card 90+6'		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Jonathan Bilinski
Memphis 901 v Birmingham Legion
October 3 16 Memphis 901 3–1 Birmingham Legion Memphis, TN
7:00 PM CDT Jennings 36', 54', 86'
Muckette Yellow card 43'
Marsh-Brown Yellow card 79'		 Report A. Crognale Yellow card 23'
Lopez Yellow card 33'
Lapa 41'
Williams Yellow card 66'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Attendance: 901
Referee: Ben Meyer

USL Cup Playoffs

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Birmingham Legion
October 10 Conf. Quarterfinals Tampa Bay Rowdies 4–2 Birmingham Legion St. Petersburg, FL
6:30 PM CDT Doherty 8'
Guenzatti 38'
Mkosana 78'
Fernandes 80'		 Report Crognale Yellow card 10'
Lopez Yellow card 20'
Williams Yellow card 42'
Kasim 57'
Lapa 63'
Cromwell Yellow card 85'		 Stadium: Al Lang Stadium
Attendance: 1,098
Referee: Eric Tattersall

U.S. Open Cup

As a USL Championship club, Birmingham will enter the competition in the Second Round, to be played April 7–9.[5]

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Tennessee v Alabama Birmingham Legion
April 7 2nd Round Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Tennessee P–P Alabama Birmingham Legion Chattanooga, TN
7:00 PM CDT Stadium: Chattanooga Christian School
Note: Match postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[6]

References

  1. ^ Humphries, Clayton (December 14, 2018). "Inaugural Legion FC match set for March 9, 2019". BHMLegion.com. Birmingham Legion FC. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Birmingham Legion roster". BHMLegion.com. Birmingham Legion FC. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  4. ^ "Legion FC Releases New 2020 USL Championship Schedule". bhmlegion.com. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  6. ^ "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to COVID-19 Outbreak". ussoccer.com. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
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Birmingham Legion FC
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