2021 Birmingham Legion FC
The 2021 Birmingham Legion FC season was the 3rd campaign for Birmingham Legion FC, representing Birmingham in the United Soccer League's USL Championship division in 2021. Its home matches were played at the 5,000-seat BBVA Field (which was renamed PNC Field at the end of the season) on UAB's campus.
Red Diamond Coffee & Tea supported the team as "jersey partner" for the 3rd year of a 3-year agreement. Other sponsors included Buffalo Rock, Post Consumer Brands and Nike. Home and away games were broadcast locally on WABM "My68".
Tom Soehn returned for a third year as head coach of Birmingham Legion FC. Legion FC began play with a friendly against Atlanta United of Major League Soccer on March 28 at BBVA Field
Legion FC began play with a friendly against Atlanta United of Major League Soccer on March 28 at home. Legion FC went 18-8-6 for the season, with a 10-4-2 record at home. The team qualified for a first-ever home playoff game scheduled for Sunday, November 7 against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. That game was forfeited by the Pittsburgh team due to multiple COVID-19 infections, sending Birmingham to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Roster
- Forwards: Neco Brett, Junior Flemmings, Prosper Kasim, JJ Williams
- Midfielders: Anderson Asiedu, Eli Crognale, Zach Herivaux, Daigo Kobayashi, Bruno Lapa, Mikey Lopez, Jaden Servania, Marcos Ugarte, Jackson Wrobel
- Defenders: Alex Crognale, Jonathan Dean, Ryan James, Phanuel Kavita, Ben Ofeimu, Jake Rufe, Thomas Vancaeyezeele
- Goalkeepers: Ford Parker, Trevor Spangenberg, Matt Van Oekel
Record
Regular season (18-8-6)
- May 1: Indy Eleven 1, Birmingham 0 at home
- May 8: Birmingham 1, Louisville City FC 1 in Louisville, Kentucky
- May 15: Birmingham 1, Memphis 901 FC 0 at Legion Field
- May 22: San Antonio FC 2, Birmingham 1 at San Antonio, Texas
- May 26: Birmingham 1, OKC Energy FC 0 at home
- May 30: Birmingham 1, Atlanta United 2 0 at Atlanta, Georgia
- June 6: Birmingham 2, FC Tulsa 1 at home
- June 12: Birmingham 2, OKC Energey 1 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- June 16: Louisville City FC 2, Birmingham 0 at Louisville, Kentucky
- June 23: Birmingham 1, The Miami FC 0 at Miami, Florida
- July 3: Birmingham 1, Indy Eleven 0 at Indianapolis, Indiana
- July 10: Memphis 901 FC 1, Birmingham 0 at home
- July 24: Birmingham 2, Indy Eleven 0 at Indianapolis, Indiana
- July 31: Birmingham 2, Atlanta United 2 2 at home
- August 4: Birmingham 3, Atlanta United 2 1 at home
- August 7: FC Tulsa 3, Birmingham 1 at Tulsa, Oklahoma
- August 11: Birmingham 4, Sporting Kansas City II 2 at home
- August 14: Birmingham 1, Memphis 901 FC 1 at Memphis, Tennessee
- August 22: FC Tulsa 2, Birmingham 1 at home
- August 28: Birmingham 2, Louisville City FC 1 at home
- September 1: Birmingham 1, Sporting Kansas City II 0 at Kansas City, Missouri
- September 4: Memphis 901 FC 3, Birmingham 2 at Memphis, Tennessee
- September 11: Birmingham 1, FC Tulsa 1 at Tulsa, Oklahoma
- September 18: Birmingham 1, OKC Energy FC 1 at home
- September 22: Birmingham 4, Atlanta United 2 0 at Atlanta, Georgia
- September 26: Birmingham 2, Charlotte Independence 1 at home
- October 1: Birmingham 1, Sporting Kansas City II 0 at Kansas City, Missouri
- October 10: Birmingham 3, Indy Eleven 1 at home
- October 13: Birmingham 3, Austin Bold FC 1 at home
- October 17: Birmingham 0, OKC Energy FC 0 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- October 24: Birmingham 6, Sporting Kansas City II 0 at home
- October 30: Louisville City FC 1, Birmingham 0 at home
USL Championship Playoffs
- Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Birmingham advanced due to forfeit by Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- Eastern Conference Semifinals: Birmingham vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies / FC Tulsa winner
References
- Goodman, Joseph (May 11, 2021) "With Liga MX opponent brewing, ‘Legion at Legion’ match just the start for Three Sparks, Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Goodman, Joseph (November 5, 2021) "‘Overrated’ Birmingham Legion FC ready for first home playoff game." The Birmingham News
External links
- Birmingham Legion FC website