Legion FC Guarantees Home Playoff Game with Dominant Win in Regular Season Finale
October 12, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
BIRMINGHAM, AL – Birmingham Legion FC recorded a strong 3-1 victory on Wednesday night against Indy Eleven in a must-win match to secure a home playoff game. With goals from Enzo Martinez, Prosper Kasim, and Marlon Santos, the win means Legion FC will finish fourth in the USL Championship Eastern Conference and host a home playoff game for the first time on Sunday, October 23 at 4:00pm at Protective Stadium.
Martinez, Legion’s leading goal scorer, found the back of the net first in the 25th minute. A brilliant, back-heeled pass from Kasim to right back Jonny Dean put Dean through behind Indy’s defense to launch a ball across the box to an open Martinez who struck it expertly on the volley to smash in Legion’s opener.
Just four minutes later in the 29th minute, Kasim found the back of the net in his own right with a thunderous strike to the near post. Martinez returned the favor and created the chance this time, passing the ball to an open Kasim on the right side before the Ghanaian cut in on his favored left foot for the shot.
Legion FC ended the first half up 2-0, but right before the break Indy Eleven’s Neveal Hackshaw was sent off with a straight red card to go down to ten men for the remainder of the match.
The home side controlled the pace in the second half and added a last treat for the fans on Fan Appreciation Night by burying a penalty kick in the 61st minute. Santos, who scored from the spot against San Antonio on Oct. 9, did it again and brought the Three Sparks up 3-0.
Unfortunately, Indy Eleven’s Stefano Pinho scored in the 83rd minute to spoil the shutout produce the final 3-1 score line.
Overall, the Black and Gold had an amazing game. The Legion had twenty-four shots to Indy’s four, a 2.78 expected goal ratio to their opponent’s 0.18, and maintained 56% possession. Birmingham is now tied for first in the league in total shots this season with 526.
“Felt good about the way we went about it tonight,” said Head Coach Tommy Soehn. “We had a lot of talks since Sunday about what this game meant, and the mentality we needed to go on the field with, and the guys showed right from the start what it was going to be about today and put the game away early. So, credit to the guys. As we continue to build [professional soccer in Birmingham], a home playoff game is so important. Our guys are so excited about it and so am I. It’s been a long time coming.”
Legion FC’s first ever home playoff game is set for Sunday, October 23 at 4:00pm against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Detroit City FC, or Miami FC depending on Saturday’s results. Ticket links and information will be announced on Thursday, October 13, at bhmlegion.com and on team social channels, @bhmlegion, and fans can contact the Legion FC Ticket Office to purchase tickets or with any questions!
“I think everyone has a hunger for winning that championship and bringing it every single day in training I think is all you need [to prepare for playoffs],” said defender and captain Phanuel Kavita. “I don’t think we have to do anything different. I think every single time we’ve tried to think about our opponents we technically don’t play well, and I think all we need to do is just focus on us. I think focusing on us to improve little things – that improves us tremendously. I think focusing on us, doing what we need to do, playing with the ball, taking care of the ball, playing forward, defending like dogs, I think eventually that’s going to pull us through to the end.”
Box Score:
1st Half 2nd Half BHM 2 1 IND 0 1
GOALS: BHM – 25′ – #19 Enzo Martinez (assisted by #24 Jonny Dean) BHM – 29′ – #10 Prosper Kasim (assisted by #19 Enzo Martinez) BHM – 61′ – #11 Marlon Santos (P) IND – 83′ – #29 Stefano Pinho
BHM – 4-3-3 – #1 Matt VanOekel; #24 Jonny Dean, #21 Alex Crognale, #3 Phanuel Kavita ©, Jake Rufe; #10 Prosper Kasim (76′ – #7 Ryan James), #20 Zach Herivaux (66′ – #17 Matthew Corcoran), #6 Anderson Asiedu (62′ – #5 Mikey Lopez); #19 Enzo Martinez (76′ – #8 Bruno Lapa), #11 Marlon Santos (76′ – #29 Sadik Balarabe), #99 Juan Agudelo
IND – 5-4-1 – #0 Sean Lewis; #22 Robby Dambrot, #2 Jesus Vazquez, #3 AJ Cochran, #4 Mechack Jerome, #37 Ecris Revolorio; #15 Neveal Hackshaw ©, #5 Jared Timmer, #14 Solomon Asante, #17 Juan Tejada; #9 Manuel Arteaga
For team updates, news and more, follow @bhmlegion on social media, sign up for Legion FC’s Newsletter, or visit bhmlegion.com. The Legion FC app is also available for download via Apple or Android. For gameday reminders, sync the Legion FC 2022 schedule to your calendar HERE.
For media inquiries from now until the home playoff game on the 23rd, or to request media credentials for the game, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email. The team will practice in the morning most days next week, and all players, coaches, and President Jay Heaps will be available for interviews!
Hammer Down!
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