June 5, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Birmingham Legion FC News Release
PHOENIX, AZ – Birmingham Legion FC claimed a massive victory away at Phoenix Rising FC for what is the club’s second win in a row. It was forward Prosper Kasim who scored the winner for the Three Sparks, while goalkeeper Matt VanOekel came up big in between the sticks to deny the hosts any chance of finding the back of the net.
The first half saw both sides jockey for control of the match, with either outfit doing well to create chances and force the opposing defense into action. Phoenix would be the first side to knock on the door, as forward Santi Moar’s strike just five minutes into the contest would graze the outside netting.
Greg Hurst would be the next to try his hand at opening the scoring for Rising FC, but VanOekel made light work of Hurst’s attempt from just inside the 18 yard box. Legion FC would not be deterred by their opponent’s pressure, countering each Phoenix attack with one of their own. Doing well to break through the Rising FC defense, it seemed as though the visitors had earned a penalty after midfielder Enzo Martinez was brought down, but the referee deemed it a fair challenge.
Phoenix would again come close to opening scoring toward the end of the first half, but it was VanOekel again to deny them with a massive save.
“That was a monster save,” said Legion FC Head Coach Tom Soehn. “We’re fortunate to have someone with his experience and his ability to make game saving saves. He’s done it for us as long as he’s been here.”
The second half would see the Black & Gold finally open the scoring on the night. Starting at the back with defender Jonny Dean, ‘Hotlinks’ managed to beat his defender, find Martinez in space, who would then lay it off to Kasim for a beautiful first-time finish into the bottom left corner of Ben Lundt’s net.
Kasim’s goal would propel his side to its second win in a row, as well combine with the defense and VanOekel’s commanding…