Match Preview: Legion FC vs Indy Eleven – Wednesday, October 12 at 7:00pm
October 11, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
MATCH INFO:
Birmingham Legion FC vs Indy Eleven
Wednesday, October 12
7:00pm CT Kickoff – 6:00pm CT Gates
Protective Stadium – Birmingham, AL
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Birmingham Legion FC (55pts – 16W, 7D, 10L) hosts Indy Eleven (41pts – 12W, 5D, 16L) at home for its last game of the regular season on Wednesday, October 12. With a win in this game, Birmingham would guarantee themselves a home playoff game, while a draw or a loss could see them drop to 5th or 6th place depending on results from Detroit City FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds on the weekend.
Wednesday night’s game also serves as Fan Appreciation Night! Join us at Protective Stadium to enjoy $3 Miller Light drafts in the South Terrace after gates open at 6:00pm, while supplies last, as well as discounted White Claw and TrimTab cans, and yard games.
The Three Sparks come into the game on a three-game winless streak, with one draw and two losses, after having lost their last match against League-leaders San Antonio FC at home. Although the recent matchups for the Legion haven’t gone their way, they still possess one of the most lethal attacks in the Championship. Enzo Martinez leads that attack with 14 goals, seven assists, and 67 chances created.
Martinez, Marlon Santos (eight goals), Prosper Kasim (seven goals), Juan Agudelo (seven goals), and Bruno Lapa (five goals) are the attacking pieces up top that look to make the goal-scoring difference against Indy. Last time the Three Sparks and the Eleven met scoring goals was not a problem – Santos found the net twice and Martinez once in a 4-3 defeat in Indianapolis. Its defense, which boasts 11 clean sheets and has a goalkeeper in Matt VanOekel who has the fifth most saves in the Championship (84), will look to hold off an Indy attack that was lethal last time around.
Indy Eleven have recently been in terrific form. Although they can no longer qualify for the playoffs, they are still fighting with everything they’ve got. They recorded a dominant 4-1 over the Charleston Battery last Saruday on Oct 8 and have two wins and one loss in its last three matches. Stefano Pinho is its most lethal in attack, with the Indy forward recording 12 goals and three assists.
Looking at Indy compared to the rest of the league, neither its attack nor its defense are spectacular. They have conceded the 11th most goals in the Championship and rank 20th in goals scored on the season, but stats don’t tell the whole story. This side is one of the hottest in the Championship – they beat Legion FC, San Antonio FC, and Louisville FC in late August and early September. They are a good team, and the Three Sparks will have to go into the match with the mentality that they are facing a team with quality, that’s hungry and has nothing to lose.
For this week’s UAB Medicine Injury Report, defender Freddy Kleemann is again the only person on the list, as he is still out due to a torn ACL.
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